Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 20

Today is Day 20 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge! Only 10 more days to go, so if you’ve hung in there this long, we’re nearing the finish line!

Opinion of 2004 Movie

This is a question that oftentimes ruffles many Phans’ feathers. Some people love the movie; others hate it. I am one of those who loves it. However, I respect other people’s rights to hate it.

Part of why I love the 2004 movie is because that’s how I was introduced to Phantom. Had it not been the film, I might not have ever known about the book, musical and then all the other adaptations. However, I can easily see how people who saw the musical first or read the book first might have been disappointed in the movie simply because it wasn’t what they were used to.

I love the grandeur of the move. The opulent set! Gold statues, lavish costumes, shining jewelry! It was a feast for the eyes!

As for the singing…

I loved it too. At the time, I wasn’t acquainted with much operatic or musical styles of singing. I was girl from the 90s who listed to boy bands like NSYNC. I think I needed the “toned down” version of Phantom to serve as that stepping stone to the operatic/musical world. Back then, I might not have liked the movie as much if everyone in it sang with the same operatic tone as Carlotta did. And I think the directors of the movie realized that. They wanted to make the movie appeal to mainstream audiences too – not just lovers of musicals – and that’s why I think Emmy and Gerard’s voices were perfect for the movie.

I like that Emmy sounds young because Christine supposedly was young. Christine was estimated to be about 16 years old, so it’s natural that she wouldn’t have the developed voice of an experienced singer. It was more believable to me.

And Gerard’s voice is quite impressive considering that he’d never sang professionally in his entire life and managed to pull off the role. However, more impressive than his singing was his acting. He totally nailed the Phantom persona, the man behind the mask and even the little boy, the devil’s child, hidden behind it all. When he cried, I cried. His performance was that powerful. You can feel his pain radiating off the screen as he played the Phantom.

The other characters were great as well. Minnie Driver is my favorite Carlotta of all time. She played the part of the spoiled Spanish diva well, and Jennifer Ellison was a charming Meg, Patrick Wilson a dreamy Raoul and the other supporting cast good too. I just loved it all, and to this day, the movie holds a very special place in my heart.

What’s your opinion of the 2004 movie?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 19

 

Today is Day 19 of the Phantom of the Opera 30-Day challenge. Yay!

Have You Seen the 25th Anniversary Concert? If so, What Was Your Opinion?

Yes, I have seen the 25th anniversary performance, and I love it. I know there’s many critics of Sierra’s voice, but I actually find it very unique. Likewise, I love Karimloo’s smooth tone.

Part of what makes the 25th anniversary so special, though, is that it finally allowed many Phans who had never seen the stage version live to see it on DVD. Sure, there’s bootlegs of full performances, but they aren’t movie-quality crystal clear like the 25th anniversary DVD.

Below is stunning footage of The Mirror/The Phantom of the Opera journey to the lair scene from the 25th anniversary.

What did you think of the 25th anniversary performance?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 18

 

Day 18 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge is here. More than halfway done!

Song with the Highest Play Count on iTunes

The title song, The Phantom of the Opera, is the one on my iTunes that has the highest play count. I know that might not make much sense since I say that Wandering Child is my favorite song, but I suppose I just listen to the title song the most. Lol. Part of the reason for this is because I like hearing the different ways different Phantoms and Christines sing it. I love hearing this song sung in various different languages, especially Italian.

Listen to the Italian version of the title song in the clip below.

Which song has the highest play count on your iTunes?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 17

 

Day 17 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge is here! I’m getting it in earlier than usual today. Monday motivation, I guess. Lol.

Whose Part Do You Follow/Sing When Multiple People Are Singing?

This depends on whether I’m just listening to or actually singing the songs. If I’m singing the songs, then, naturally, I sing Christine’s parts since I have more of that female type of voice. However, if I’m just watching the musical, then I follow the Phantom’s voice. I love how smooth and darkly powerful his voice sounds.

The Final Lair scene, for instance, is one of those scenes where multiple people are singing at once, and I tend to follow everything that the Phantom’s singing more than I do Christine and Raoul (although by now, after more than a decade of being a Phan, I have all the parts of each character memorized by heart).

 

What about you? Who do you tend  to follow?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 16

 

Day 16 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge is here, so on to today’s topic.

Line You ALWAYS Mess Up When Singing

What Phan among us doesn’t like to sing along to the songs from the musical? Whether you can sing or not, you probably belt out the songs in the privacy of your own home. I know I do and drive my family crazy doing so. Lol.

I pretty much have the entire musical memorized, so I can’t think of a certain line that I mess up on word-wise when singing it. However, I can certainly say that there’s no way I can do the cadenza part at the end of Think of Me or at the end of the title song, The Phantom of the Opera.

Below are clips of Sierra Boggess performing these memorable parts from the 25th anniversary DVD. The first clip is of Think of Me while the second is of the title song.

What part do you ALWAYS mess up when singing?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 15

Today we are officially halfway done with the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge! Yay! It’s been fun so far.

Your Favorite ALW Raoul

For this one, I have to go with Patrick Wilson. I like the way he looks as Raoul with the longer hair, and I like his singing voice as well. So gentle and calming, especially in All I Ask of You. Just how I imagine Raoul would have tried to be for Christine.

 

I loved Steve Barton as well, but I prefer him in other, darker roles. His voice was amazing.

Who’s your favorite ALW Raoul?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 14

 

It’s Day 14 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge! We’re almost halfway there!

Your Favorite ALW Christine

Today’s topic is your favorite ALW Christine. Without any hesitation, I can proclaim mine to be the original ALW Christine: Sarah Brightman. Not only do I love Sarah’s voice, but I love the fact that the role was written specifically for her. Andrew Lloyd Webber tailored the role of Christine specifically to showcase Sarah’s magnificent voice, so who can possibly play the role better than the one it was written for? Of course, that’s just my humble opinion, but I love plenty of other Christines as well. In fact, there’s not very many that I’m not a fan of.

 

Below is a clip of Sarah singing Think of Me live at a concert in Japan back in 1992 when she was in her prime.

However, a close second to Sarah is Emmy Rossum. Emmy just looks like what I imagine Christine to look like, you know? And although there’s many critics of her voice, I loved her voice too. It was young and fluttering, just like I imagine a young 16-year-old Christine Daae’s voice would be.

Below is a clip of Emmy singing Think of Me from the 2004 film.

Who’s your favorite ALW Christine?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 13

 

Today is Day 13 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge, and today’s topic is so easy for me.

Your Favorite ALW Phantom

If I’m interpreting this correctly, this means your favorite Phantom from any Andrew Lloyd Webber production. If that’s the case, then I must go with Gerard Butler. I know, I know. There’s a lot of critics of Gerry. He wasn’t operatically trained. Heck, he learned to sing right before the film, but I think taking that all into consideration, he did an amazing job. I love the way his voice sounds. No, it’s not the smooth tenor that the stage Phantoms have, but I like his darker, gruffer-sounding baritone. He’ll always be my favorite Phantom.

 

Who’s your favorite ALW Phantom?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 12

 

Today is Day 12 of the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge and the last day of January. So on to today’s challenge topic.

Favorite Instrumental Portion of the Score

Hmm…my favorite instrumental portion depends on whether I’m watching the stage or movie version. Of the stage version, it’s the Overture. There’s nothing like those first glorious notes setting the tone for the entire musical. They literally send shivers down my spine. Every. Single. Time.

But if I’m watching the movie, then my favorite instrumental portion is that little part after the Masquerade and Why So Silent? scenes. The instrumental part set to the tune of Learn to Be Lonely that plays while the Phantom and Christine are drawn to each other and his eyes are looking so vulnerable and filled with love. You know right before he yanks the necklace holding Raoul’s engagement ring from her neck and yells, “Your chains are still mine! You belong to me!”? I love that part. Watch it below:

So what’s your favorite instrumental part?

Phantom of the Opera 30-Day Challenge – Day 11

 

Today makes Day 11 that we’ve been doing the 30-Day Phantom of the Opera Challenge. If you’ve stuck with us thus far, give yourself a big pat on the back. Bravo! We applaud your perseverance! Now, on to today’s challenge…

Favorite Sung Line (Act 2)

 

I love how the Phantom’s voice is so tender and floating when he sings this line. It’s apparent that his love for Christine will overcome any feelings of betrayal. He will forgive all if only she will come back to her angel…

Wandering child, so lost, so helpless, yearning for my guidance…

I personally really love how Gerard Butler sings this line, but others have sung it well too. Watch the clip below, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Of course, if you’ve been following my challenge responses every day, you’ll have already seen this since I posted it with my answer for my favorite song, but it’s always worth watching twice.