Sierra Boggess in Royal Albert Hall Phantom

I've not heard Sierra Boggess in anything other than the anniversary recording of The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall. There are many moments during her performance where she gives words the oddest pronouncement, like someone with a foreign accent performing in English. Does she have a natural accent, was she giving the character of Christine an accent, or does she just sing oddly? I generally prefer this recording to any other because of its completeness, but her weird way of pronouncing words is admittedly like nails on a chalkboard at times.

What disturbs me more is her warbling above the note at many occasions. It's not as bad as Ramin Karimloo, who composed his own melodies, but still annoying.

The only part that annoys me is the "order your fine horses" line, otherwise her pronunciation doesn't really bother me that much. I've found a lot of the Christines on Broadway put on an English accent.

Updated On: 9/8/17 at 01:56 AM

Samara.tanner said: "Dave28282 said: "What disturbs me more is her warbling above the note at many occasions. It's not as bad as Ramin Karimloo, who composed his own melodies, but still annoying."

It's what's known as vibrato. ??"

The centre of the vibrato should be the actual note, not 3 notes above it.

ohhiccup 2 -Sierra Boggess isn't putting on an English accent. She's doing an entirely fictional accent that makes no logical sense.



And I don't understand why Ramin keeps getting cast in roles that call for classical-style singing (Raoul, Phantom, Enjolras, Valjean).

I've seen both at the Royal Albert Hall production and in Love Never Dies.

I just don't see it or hear it for that matter.

Bogess is a Disneyfied Christine and Ramin had this weird ha warbling.

Terrible. I know Webber likes the doe eyed leading ladies and there has been a push to have handsome young men play phantom. I prefer an older phantom.

hmph said: "I like Sierra Bogges a lot in no small part just because she cracks me up, but I have to admit her accent has confounded me. Even her speaking voice when not on stage sometimes has me focusing more on the sounds than the words. Even with all that, thePhantom 25 album is still the only I would consider playing.

Can we talk about how lovely that Raoul, Hadley Fraser, was? I haven't seen him in a while, but he really made a pretty thankless (and often forgettable/irritating)role stand out tome."



Her "Always" and a lot of her L's sound very weird to me, but she seems really sweet and she's pretty adorably funny.



On the subject of Hadley Fraser though, I was not thrilled with them using someone who, you know, hadn't actually been Raoul in the show at all, when there were quite a few decent ones involved in the 25th...? Seemed an odd choice to honor a show with someone who hadn't been in it (though I also felt the same about Sierra having never played the role in the West End, but she's ALW's darling and a decent Christine) I loved his voice, but his acting really didn't sell it for me. I am a Raoul fan though, so I've got a long list of ones that impressed me. I felt like I could see the LND influences with the harshness and the eye rolling. I much prefer sweeter, more compassionate Raouls, and I felt like he wasn't comforting at all and started AIAOY out of obligation rather than protectiveness or actually caring. Just didn't get the chivalrous or charming vibes I wanted from him.

She definitely does pronounce things differently! I am glad someone else notices! Her "always" is "ole-wise" among many others, but she has a beautiful voice!

I never got the vibes about Boggess's singing that others are point out when it comes to other roles other than Christine. To me, it sounds like she was putting on a British accent. Which, by no means, is not uncommon for the Broadway production as well. But, those are traits that I didn't notice about her singing when she was in School of Rock, specially during Where Did the Rock Go?

The Albert Hall performances weren't produced by Really Useful Group, it was done by Cameron Mackintosh himself. Keep in mind, he cast Alfie Boe as Valjean for the 02 arena concert of Les Miserables, someone who, prior to that never played the role before. So, it doesn't surprise me that he cast someone as Raoul who hadn't played the role before either.

hmph said: "I like Sierra Bogges a lot in no small part just because she cracks me up, but I have to admit her accent has confounded me. Even her speaking voice when not on stage sometimes has me focusing more on the sounds than the words. Even with all that, thePhantom 25 album is still the only I would consider playing.

Can we talk about how lovely that Raoul, Hadley Fraser, was? I haven't seen him in a while, but he really made a pretty thankless (and often forgettable/irritating)role stand out tome."

I'm seeing Hadley Fraser as the Dr. in Young Frankenstein in the West End is a couple of weeks.

http://www.playbill.com/article/casting-announced-for-uk-premiere-of-mel-brooks-young-frankenstein

Laurence Connor is also behind the Les Mis "25th Anniversary" production. He's the kind of guy who introduces stuff like The Phantom saying "Close your eyes" and then pulling out a blindfold to use on Christine. Or Christine attempting suicide before "All I Ask of You" so the whole number isn't romantic but rather it feels like Raoul is talking her down off a ledge.

The 25th Anniversary was a mess. It was supposed to just honor the London production I guess, but then had Meg, Raoul and Piangi played by actors with no history with the show (and Christine played by an actress who was never in the London production). I think Hadley Fraser is a great actor, just misdirected by Laurence Connor. He'll probably end up playing the Phantom one day, and under the right direction he could be great. He's also married to Rosalie Craig, who's supposed to be the female Bobby in Company... eventually.

Sierra Boggess was easily the most talented of the trio, however it seems unfair that ALW favors her above everyone else and seems to have a creepy crush on her. How nice it would have been to have an actress with a history with the production at the 25th Anniversary on Broadway (and she couldn't even be bothered to stay more than six weeks). I feel like they're going to demote Ali Ewoldt to alternate for the 30th Anniversary on Broadway (but Sierra will only come if they fire James Barbour).

He was one of the reasons she left Rebecca... he screamed at her and she didn't like his past.

Yeah, even if Barbour leaves (which I hope he does), I don't want Sierra back for any more anniversary appearances. She's had more than enough chances to shine in the role.