pre-recorded music- Page 2

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:31pm

true. another reason why they use headphones in the show is when they need to hear christine and raoul during the 'all i ask of you (reprise)' because they are under the stage watching the conductor and singing.

[Plum]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:34pm

I disagree with the headphones thing to some extent. Aren't the "pits" in some shows not in the traditional pit area, but completely hidden away from the stage? The conductor needs to use a video monitor and headphones to keep up with what's happening.

Or I could be completely deluded.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:37pm

that's what the actors use in phantom. there is a video monitor downstairs below the stage that the actors watch in order to see the conductor.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:19pm

The title song in Phantom of the Opera is not entirely pre-recorded. Everything is live from the key change right before the Phantom sings "In all your fantasies...", and if you listen closely it's obvious where the break is between the dubbed music, and the live orchestra. Ponine24601, I don't know where you are getting this headset information, but the reprise of "All I Ask of You", is entirely live. The beginning of the title song "Phantom of the Opera", is the only section of the first act the is pre-recorded. Also, most pit-conductors wear headsets. Think about this.....It isn't the conductor's decision to just go ahead and start the overture and begin the production, so the headsets keep them connected backstage with the stage manager, etc. Thanks for reading!

See Ya!

Phantom05

Updated On: 7/13/04 at 06:19 PM

[zepka102]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:24pm

the thing that bothered me the most... about the tour i should say.. was the volume difference. pre-recorded was much louder and it just didnt seem right... but it does NOT take away from the show at all. hey, can't be perfect! still love it though!

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:31pm

Oh, I also forgot to mention Christine's "E" at the end of the title song...It's pre-recorded a well, but it is true that the actress is given the option of performing the final note of the song live. I have seen Phantom on Broadway, and many times on tour, I heard heard the note live, and pre-recorded. The most obivous instance in which the note was performed live was when actress Rebecca Pitcher arrived a the final note of "Phantom of the Opera", but cracked and failed to hit the note. She finished the rest of the first act, but her understudy stepped in and finished the show, we found out later that she had been performing while at the same time trying to fight off a cold!

Later!

Phantom05

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:33pm

Updated On: 7/13/04 at 06:33 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:36pm

i never said that the reprise wasn't live. i said that the actors are downstairs looking at the conductor so they know their cue. my sources are reliable as well because former phantom howard mcgillin told/showed me all of these things that i am speaking of.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:40pm

Oh okay, I think I understand what you meant! I am good friends with several stage managers and perfomers who have worked in POTO! So Ponine24601, you met Howard McGillin, me too! What did you think of his perfomance? I personally thought he was amazing, especially during the final sequence of the show!

Phantom05

Updated On: 7/13/04 at 06:40 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:44pm

Howard is by far my favorite phantom. he really brings the character to life for me and for the audience. i have seen the show many times, but he is the only phantom that makes me cry during the end of both acts. his overall performance is just amazing! howard is just a fantastic performer and a completely kind and generous man.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:15pm

Typically, when a stage manager or the soundboard needs to communicate with the conductor the communication is via a Clear-Com device that looks much like a telephone receiver. If production personnel need to communicate with the orchestra pit they "page" the conductor by hitting a call button that flashes on the conductor's "telephone". The conductor can communicate with backstage or the soundboard by picking up the "telephone" and presses a "call" switch inside the handset. Typically, when a conductor dons headphones, he's listening to a click-track that helps him or her synchronize live music with music/vocals that are pre-recorded and are being folded into the mix.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:19pm

wow. i didn't know that. i've seen a conductor pick up a phone like that, but i never knew why. thanks for informing me!