Les Miserables - The Musical That Swept the World (10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall) [Cast Recording] [Live] [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
To celebrate 10 years as the world's most popular musical, the cast of Les Misérables threw a phenomenal birthday party at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1995. A decade after Trevor Nunn directed its premiere at the Barbican Centre, and the subsequent move into what became a permanent home at the West End Palace Theatre, producer Cameron Macintosh felt the time had come for a little outing for "the miserables." Conductor David Charles Abell, having climbed out of the cluttered Palace pit, for one glorious night has the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his disposal and there are appearances from over 150 singers--birthday celebs from Les Mis stagings worldwide--who flocked to the grandiose venue. Hosts for the night are the 1995 London cast: Colm Wilkinson's Valjean has power and beauty in "Who Am I?" and "Bring Him Home," and Michael Ball is a charming Marius. Miss Saigon herself, Lea Salonga, gets the crowd-pleasing favorite "On My Own." The Albert Hall sounds filled to the brim with an appreciative audience that contributes to the festive atmosphere. The result is a real treat for fans and lovers of Boubil and Schönberg's greatest musical--this double CD is an obligatory item in every collection of Les Mis memorabilia. --Yngvil V.G.

Tracks:

Prologue
On Parole/The Bishop
Valjean's Soliloquy
At The End Of The Day
I Dreamed A Dream
Lovely Ladies
Fantine's Arrest
The Runaway Cart
Who Am I?-The Trial
Fantine's Death
The Confrontation
Castle On A Cloud
Master Of The House
The Bargain-Waltz Of Treachery
Look Down
Stars
ABC Cafe/Red And Black
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Rue Plummet-In My Life
A Heart Full Of Love

Tracks:

The Attack On Rue Plummet
One Day More!
Building The Barricade/On My Own
Back At The Baricade
Javert's Arrival/Little People
A Little Fall Of Rain
Night Of Anguish
First Attack
Drink With Me
Bring Him Home
Second Attack/The Final Battle
The Sewers
Dog Eats Dog
Javert's Suicide
Turning
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
Every Day/A Heart Full Of Love (Reprise)
The Wedding Chorale/Beggars At The Feast
Epilogue (Finale)
Encore 1-Speeches/Do You Hear The People Sing?
Encore 2-One Day More

Amazon.com

To celebrate 10 years as the world's most popular musical, the cast of Les Misérables threw a phenomenal birthday party at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1995. A decade after Trevor Nunn directed its premiere at the Barbican Centre, and the subsequent move into what became a permanent home at the West End Palace Theatre, producer Cameron Macintosh felt the time had come for a little outing for "the miserables." Conductor David Charles Abell, having climbed out of the cluttered Palace pit, for one glorious night has the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his disposal and there are appearances from over 150 singers--birthday celebs from Les Mis stagings worldwide--who flocked to the grandiose venue. Hosts for the night are the 1995 London cast: Colm Wilkinson's Valjean has power and beauty in "Who Am I?" and "Bring Him Home," and Michael Ball is a charming Marius. Miss Saigon herself, Lea Salonga, gets the crowd-pleasing favorite "On My Own." The Albert Hall sounds filled to the brim with an appreciative audience that contributes to the festive atmosphere. The result is a real treat for fans and lovers of Boubil and Schönberg's greatest musical--this double CD is an obligatory item in every collection of Les Mis memorabilia. --Yngvil V.G.

Customer Reviews:

The best one I've heard.......2007-04-10

The first time I ever heard Les Miserables, it was on the Original Broadway cast CD. That CD had great vocals, but I didn't realize how much I was missing until I saw the show in NYC. What sets this recording apart from many others, including the OBC version, is the fact that, like the musical, it is through-sung. The complete symphonic recording is also this way, and has all of the music. Although this CD is lacking a few parts, most noticibly a shortend Lovely Ladies, missing a section with Javert, and Gavroche's death, when looked at in terms of the completeness and vocal abilities, this is the best.

Regarding the cast, Colm Wilkinson is THE Valjean. I love his vocals and the expression he puts into the character. Armstrong, as Therniere, is great, as is Jenny Galloway (Mme Therniere). They are both great actors and convey the comedic nature of the parts well. Hannah Chick, as young Cosette is splendid, especially in the fact that she sings right through the accidental gun shot noise in the middle of her song. Gavroche is priceless. The best I've ever heard. Ruthie Henshall does an absolutely brilliant Fantine, incredibly moving. Michael Ball (Marius) also has the supberb vocal ability and expression so prevolent in this cast.

Now, my two favorite characters, Javert and Eponine...Phillip Quast (Javert) is practically flawless. I personally don't like his interpretation of the prologue, but that's just me. Other than that, perfect. He more than makes up for that with his rendition of Stars, and his soliliquy in which he dies. You can visualize him going mad and jumping from the bridge just from his voice...amazing. Lea Salonga's vocal ability is unmatched. Her rendition of A Little Fall of Rain is tearjerking, and you can fell Eponine's pain and anguish throughout the entire CD. Anything with her in it is worth buying.

Finally, this CD has a recording of One Day More sung by the Valjeans from all over the world...amazing to hear.

To conclude, this is the best recording of Les Miserables you can buy.

Great musical! Best singers!.......2007-03-13

This is my favorite collection because the performers are amazing. I don't like the exploding balloon during little Cosette's song, but the lead singers in this CD couldn't be any better.

if you like les miz you can't go wrong.......2007-03-09

personally I am a sucker for a good musical...and music in general...This however is exceptional. I love it, it is one of my favorite versions of the musical, and I have been eyeing this cd for sometime now, i am so happy to finally have it in my collection. the quality is good, the music great, and the voices are fantastic!

My 1st "Les Mis".......2006-10-27

It took some time for this musical to sink in for me but when I sat down to watch this broadcast the characters, plot, motivation(s) and all the nuances of minor characters fell into place -- it was exquisite. Granted some of the voices might not be up to par for more experienced ears and there are technical glitches here and there but this is my favorite. I still admire Hannah Chick for continuing with Castle on a Cloud in spite of the distraction -- that's an actor. I also find the extended applause at the end of some songs annoying but that doesn't negate the 99.99% pure magic previous.

My main beef is that discography is NOT IN ORDER on the second disc, and that works my nerves. I hate having to go in and edit the list.

What worries me NOW is that when it comes to the time to making a film of the musical it might suffer the same fate that Sweeny Todd seems to have looming in the wings. The Broadway musical (ST) was cast with actors, some happened to be stars. I hate it when something as fine as Sweeny Todd, or Les Miserables, would be filmed with stars (OK, JD is both but the director and leading lady have to go) and not actors.

Filming of Les Miserables -- in my life time please. Would it be asking to much to have someone do a remake of 'The Wiz' with spending a zillion dollars on junk? Ok, ok, ok, I'm going to go listen to Philip Quast who is simply amazing and blows my socks off.

Best Les Miz Recording Out There.......2006-09-23

Now don't you disregard this because it says I'm a kid. I am very experienced in theatre and know exactly what I am talking about.
Colm Wilkinson(Jean Valjean): His enunciation is annoying and he tends to rasp and whispers. Great false but not my favorite Valjean.
Phillip Quast(Javert): Brilliant performance. This Aussie is the perfect Javert, his voice is clear and strong, wrapped in emotion.
Ruthie Henshall(Fantine): In my opinion, the best in the entire cast. Her throaty, crystal voice is absolutely exquisite. My favorite singer. That reviewer who said she has an awful voice seriously needs help! She is breathtaking!
Michael Ball(Marius): What can I say? Wonderful as always. Fantastic actor and very powerful singer. I get chills hearing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables".
Judy Kuhn(Cosette): Nice voice, I do like her better as Pocahontas or Florence (Chess) though. Her accent is extremely blatant. All in all, Rebecca Caine should have been cast but Judy Kuhn is still very good.
Lea Salonga(Eponine): Wow. That's all I can say. She took my breath away as Kim in Miss Saigon and now in Les Miz, she impresses me once again. A magical rendition of "On My Own" and moves me to tears everytime I listen to her death scene with Michael Ball, "A Little Fall of Rain".
Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway(M. and Mme. Thenardier): Hysterical performances by both! Such talents! Jenny Galloway is returning for the Broadway revival in November, too.
Michael Maguire(Enjolras): Annoying accent again. Can't they all just sound English? Still, wonderful voice and great delivery. Very satisfying.
Over all, I highly recommend this recording. It is the best I have heard so far. The Original Broadway one was horrid and the London was okay. But this one is thrilling and moving. Les Miz at its best.

Music:

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