#1
Posted: 12/17/04 at 11:23pm
I think I found some information that might be useful to know as some people I know are trying to find a reason why Gerard Butler was cast because his voice is either very different or bad. This came from the backstage article:
By contrast, Gerard Butler, who plays the Phantom, was a hitherto untrained singer. "But he has a raw, rock 'n' roll voice that Webber loved," remarks director Joel Schumacher, who joined Webber and four of the film's stars at the press meeting. He adds that Butler's voice serves as a nice contrast to the lyric tenor of Patrick Wilson, who plays Raoul, the third point of the romantic triangle: "Gerry has a strong screen presence and he personally connects with the loneliness of the Phantom. It's palpable on screen. When he was talking to us about the character, he broke down."
I'm glad I found this because I could not help thinking how "rock" sounding he was especially when he busts out at the end of the "All I Ask of You" reprise. I also found a separate article I can't find anymore where Lloyd Webber referred to liking the "rock edge" to the Phantom. What do you guys think of this? I think it's a good idea not just because I like that style but because bringing a movie with the word "opera" in the title to a popular audience of 2004 is a risk I think and I like the way Emmy sings rather weak and breathy sometimes as oppossed to screaming out notes very operatically with tons of vibratto that could be a turn off to most people. I think the way dialogue that was sung on stage is now being spoken in the movie is a step to make less like an opera to popular ears. I just wish they had done that with EVITA.
By contrast, Gerard Butler, who plays the Phantom, was a hitherto untrained singer. "But he has a raw, rock 'n' roll voice that Webber loved," remarks director Joel Schumacher, who joined Webber and four of the film's stars at the press meeting. He adds that Butler's voice serves as a nice contrast to the lyric tenor of Patrick Wilson, who plays Raoul, the third point of the romantic triangle: "Gerry has a strong screen presence and he personally connects with the loneliness of the Phantom. It's palpable on screen. When he was talking to us about the character, he broke down."
I'm glad I found this because I could not help thinking how "rock" sounding he was especially when he busts out at the end of the "All I Ask of You" reprise. I also found a separate article I can't find anymore where Lloyd Webber referred to liking the "rock edge" to the Phantom. What do you guys think of this? I think it's a good idea not just because I like that style but because bringing a movie with the word "opera" in the title to a popular audience of 2004 is a risk I think and I like the way Emmy sings rather weak and breathy sometimes as oppossed to screaming out notes very operatically with tons of vibratto that could be a turn off to most people. I think the way dialogue that was sung on stage is now being spoken in the movie is a step to make less like an opera to popular ears. I just wish they had done that with EVITA.
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