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| Victor Hugo | Contributor |
| Alain Boublil | Composer, Liner Notes, Text |
| Claude-Michel Schönberg | Composer, Liner Notes |
| Nick Gomm | Engineer |
| Barry Barnes | Stage Manager |
| Martin Koch | Musical Supervision |
| Nicholas Allott | Executive Producer |
| David Hunt | Engineer |
| David Charles Abell | Director |
| Andy Bruce | Sound Design |
| Herbert Kretzmer | Composer, Liner Notes |
| Jean-Marc Natel | Text |
| Cameron Mackintosh | Liner Notes |
| Trevor Nunn | Director, Liner Notes |
| John Caird | Director, Liner Notes |
| Alan Boyd | Producer |
| Andreane Neofitou | Costume Design |
| John Cameron | Score |
| Martin McCallum | Managing Director |
| Kate Salberg | Company Manager |
| Edward Behr | Liner Notes |
| James Fenton | Material |
| Paul Findlay | Managing Director |
| Richard Lienard | Sound Design |
Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
“Les Miserables” is a marvelous musical a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD – (1) you’ve seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you’ve become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. Whichever category you are in, you really, REALLY want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there’s an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has BY FAR the best cast. I have all 4 full-length, English- language versions (Original London Cast, Original Broadway Cast and Complete Symphonic Recording in addition), but this is the one I listen to over and over. Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC) is and will always be THE definitive Jean Valjean. OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his “Bring Him Home” and “Epilogue” move me to tears. Remember that Jean Valjean is in his 50’s and 60’s for most of the action. Wilkinson still has the voice, but manages to convey the authority, experiences and suffering of a lifetime. Gary Morris (CSR) sounds too young (and petulant). Finally, a Javert (Philip Quast) who can hold his own with Wilkinson in “Confrontation”. Quast‘s Javert is the implacable Angel of Justice -the evil of self- righteousness, but yet more complex under the surface. “Stars” and “Javert’s suicide” soar. Roger Allam (OLC) has a fine voice, but is not nearly as powerful (or sinister). Terrance Mann (OBC) is overmatched by Wilkinson in “Confrontation” (as Morris is by Quast on the CSR) and struggles with his solos. Michael Ball (also on the OLC and CSR) is an outstanding Marius. Emotional without melodrama, he makes that naïve, lovelorn man believable, passionate and sympathetic. “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables” is powerful and moving. The less said about Davis Bryant the better. Each of the 4 versions of Les Mis has its own Fantine, leaving lots of room for debate. Personally, I love Ruthie Henshall’s portrayal. Her voice is rich and beautiful. Her Fantine is a woman who has suffered a great deal, but is still undefeated. A case can definitely be made for Patty LuPone (OLC) who created the role and sings it with great sadness and power. Debra Bryne’s (CSR) Fantine is fragile and poignant, but not the sort of woman who could fight back when Bamatabois abused her or spit in the face of the Mayor. Randy Graff (OBC) just wails. A lively debate also rages about the character of Eponine. Frances Ruffelle created the role and did a credible job with the OLC, but for some reason decided to whine and shriek on the OBC. I know that Eponine is described as having a harsh (not shrill) voice by Hugo, but that doesn’t mean concert goers should be tortured. I find Kaho Shimada (CSR) uneven and unremarkable. Lea Solonga towers over both of them her voice is lovely, pure and soaring, with an edge of anger and bitterness. This is an Eponine capable of facing down an entire band of cutthroats, and of tricking the man she loves to his death at the barricade because she can’t have him. I don’t understand why she has to be shot by accident instead of being allowed to die saving Marius’s life. Andy Warlow (CSR) is widely acclaimed as the b
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The 10th anniversary is by far my favorites version of les miserables. The first song i ever heard was "on my own" from the origonal broadway cast, and that got me hooked. After that i read the book and listened to various songs from the broadway cast which i had on a tape. Then i bought the 10th anniversary cd. at first i didn't like it as much, but i listened to it more and really started liking it. I think all the charactors in the 10th anniversary are a lot better than any of the other versions, except eponine. I think Lea Salonga has too strong of a voice and portrays more of a strong charactor, not the feeling the real charactor needs. Frances Rufelle plays the best Eponine. Other than that, i think Javert is great! he has a great voice and it gives me chills whenever i hear him sing "stars" and his suicide song. Of courtse Colm Wilkenson is the best Jean Vonjean ever, great voice. Ruthie Henshall (Fantine) has a great voice, she does a good job of making her look miserable and yet a loving charactor, especailly the line "if theres a god above, he'd let me die instead".... gives me chills everytime.... Not to forget Michael Ball--- great job with marius, so much feeling-- now Judy Kuhn is great, she does a good job with Cosette, even though im not that fond of the charactor. But over all this is the best cast i've heard, the only thing to make it better is to change Lea Salonga to Frances Rufelle. I highly recommend anyone to buy this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I'm a musical theater geek, and I've wanted this CD forever... it was worth waiting for... The voices on this recording are amazing... Val Jean especailly... definatly get this recording
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Although I am only 15 years old, I am an avid Les Miserables fan! This CD was introduced to me by my wonderful parents and I have been listening to it ever since I can remember. I absolutely love Colm Wilkinson! He is the best Jean Valjean I have ever heard. I think Lea Salonga did a wonderful job as Eponine (my favorite character). I also love how Philip Quast portrayed Javert! I have read the unabridged version of the book, seen this movie a thousand times, listened to the CD, and had the wonderful opportunity of seeing it on Broadway! I definately recommend this CD to anyone!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Hi,Im Hannah Chick(I played little cossette). I absolutely adore the musical and that night it was a dream come true. Working with all those famous people was amazing. Michael Ball will never be beaten in the role of Marius,hi voice is incredible. Its so warm I personally could listen to him all day everyday.Colm Wilkinson is not my favourite Valjean but he certainly knows his character.Ruthie Henshall well what can I say,TREMENDOUS!Lea Salonga is sooo lovely and her voice is gorgeous. All these people are so nice to work with and I was honoured to be a part of it. Im looking forward to the 20th anniversary at Wembley!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
This is the BEST interpretation of Les Miserables that I have ever seen/heard! Michael Ball was superb(As usual)!!!! His interpretation of Marius is wonderful!And his voice, WOW! Colm Wilkinson did an excelent Valjean, the best that I have heard. Philip Quast is absolutely awesome as Javert. After watching the movie of Les Mis I realy disliked Javert, but watching/listening to this has given me a deep respect for him. Michael Maguire did very well as Enjolras. I have heard many people say that Anthony Warlow did a much better job, so I listened to him sing it and Nobody could have done better than Michael Maguire. Lea Solonga was a very good Eponine. And Ruthie Henshall as Fantine was Wonderful! It was a job well done. I would listen to it 24/7 is possible. They all did a Wonderful Job!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
This is truly the dream cast! It is almost perfect. Hearing the London and Broadway recordings I can honestly say this is the best. We all know Colm Wilkinson is great. Philip Quast is the ultimate Javert! The Thenardiers are awesome. Michael Ball is THE ONLY Marius in my opinion. Lea Solonga is an awesome Eponine, second to Sutton Foster. Judy Kuhn sounded better 10 years sgo, they should have gone with Rebecca Caine. But Judy still ROCKS!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Okay, so Les Miserables has a record of recordings with a bunch of horrible singers with a few gems hidden behind the voices of not so great singers (the Broadway Cast Recording). This is not the case with the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast. Listening to the CD, I realized that not only is this the best CD of Les Miserables, but that the singers on it sound better live (and most of the singers have been on a CD of Les Miz before). Though not all the songs are performed, it is still the much better than the Complete Symphonic Recording (which was awful except for Michael Ball and Philip Quast, and you can hear them at their prime on the 10th Anniversary CD). My only problem with this CD is the fact the people who mixed the audio on the CD sucked at what they did (for instance, the part where the soldier is warning the student that they don't have to throw their lives away sounds echoe-ey, which is all fine and dandy, but then Enjolas starts singing, and as he's singing his voice switches from echoe-ey to normal-ey). I can't reccomend this enough if you are a Les Miz fan (and it so happens, I AM!)
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
OK--for just about everyone on the planet who likes Les Mis, or even thinks they like Les Mis, this is the recording to own. The cast is truly outstanding. Colm Wilkinson is in splended voice for Valjean as is Philip Quast as Javert. Ruthie Henshall (HOTTIE!!!) puts on a how-to-be-a-great-singing-actor clinic and Lea Salonga is simply the most finely sung Eponine on record. My only problem with this particular incarnation of the show is that Anthony Warlow is NOT singing Enjolras. The music with the students is BY FAR the most interesting in the show and much is cut. The singing from the boys is leaps and bounds better on the CSR. Warlow was battling cancer at the time this was made and it is a shame he was not well. Michael Maguire is mainly fine, until he sings above E. Then his voice gets tremendously nasal and lacks the power and richness of Warlow's tone. Enjolras needs to inspire with his voice alone, and Maguire simply does not....but, Lord! is he handsome!! Michael Ball chews the musical scenery throughout (as is his trademark), but makes some wonderful noise. Judy Kuhn is a bland Cosette, but sounds nice--Rebecca Caine is better. The orchestra is top-notch and the recorded sound is flawless, right down to the musket misfire during "Castle on a Cloud." All in all, this is a tremendous recording and a great one to own. But if you want the whole shmear, get the CSR and listen to the student music...you don't know what you're missing!
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
i've seen les mis live before, but it just doesn't compare to the dream cast version. the people they picked to portray the characters are AMAZING, and i can't imagine them played by anyone else now. the voices of the actors and actresses are simply angelic.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
This is the best of the best of any musicals I've seen or heard. They got the best of the best actors and actresses too. This really is a "Dream Cast".
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I am a HUGE Les Mis fan, but this recording is very disappointing. The actors have good voices, but they weren't made for the role.almost all of the guys had cockney accents. This is FRANCE! Have you heard a French person with a cockney accent. My favorite character is Eponine, and Lea Salongna didn't bring her out very well. Her voice was too pretty to be Eponine's. I mean, she's a street rat who has seen more than most people want to see.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
About year ago my aunt took me to see this in Chicago and it changed me for life. I wnet from listening to metal to musicals overnight. I ran out the next day and bought this 10th aniversery CD and it got me hooked for life. Van Jon, Mariouse, Eponine, and Fantine all have beautiful voices and put so much passion in their singing. It sounds like they are actually experiencing this and bringing it to life. Although I love it all my favorite song is On My Own. Any girl whose ever been in love and unable to tell the guy will be crying. The best part of the song that could hold all the pain of this story is,"In the rain the pavmentt shines like silver, all the lights are misty in the river, in the darkness the trees are full of starlight and all i see is him and me forever and foever.. But I know it's only in my mind, that I'm talking to myself and not to him. And although o know that he is blind, still I say therrs's a way for us, I love him but whe the night is over, he is gone, the river is just a river." Yes I'm weird but belive me this wil change your life.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Well the title pretty much describes how I thought. I love this CD and I play it over and over a lot. This is really a CD worth buying.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I have been a fan of Les Miserables ever since our school put on the show. This CD allowed me to listen to the show whenever I wanted to. It excluded some parts of the show, but otherwise, I really enjoyed it!!
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
All the TAC was great! Lea S. is the best Eponine, Ruthie Henshall is a very good Fantine and Michael Ball did a great job also. Also Kudos to the kids who played Little Cosette and Gavorche. They did a great job! The only reason it didn't get all five stars is because all of Little People is not in this version and they cut part of Cosette's song and all of Eponine's errand.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
TAC can be put into 1 word: WOW! My Personal favorites for the cast are Michael Maguire (Enjolras)and Philip Quast (Javert). TAC is a real treat. If you've never heard of Les Mis before, this a great CD to start out with. The only problem is that they didn't have the full version of "Little People" or one of the barricade scenes. The best songs in this are "Do You Hear the People Sing?" "Lovely Ladies" "Red and Black" "Little People" "A Little Fall of Rain" all the barricade songs "Stars" "On My Own" "Drink With Me" and much more!
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Les Miserables in Concert is spectacular and I highly recommend it to everyone, regardless of age (the first time I saw it I was six and fell in love with it instantly). First of all, let me say that Ruthie Henshall was amazing. Buy the CD simply for her, she's fantastic. And of all the other recordings I've listened to, she is the best Fantine and the cast truly is ideal. For me, the BEST parts are (although, nothing about this performance is anything less than wonderful): I Dreamed a Dream, One Day More, Do You Hear the People Sing, Master of the House, and A Little Fall of Rain. Listen to this recording. Believe me, it's unbelievable.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The cast on this particular recording are superb and fit well in the parts. They have imbued the songs with such feeling, even those who do not like musicals or do not know the original story will be swept away.
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Posted Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010
This recording is simply incredible. Colm Wilkinson gives a stunning performance in the role he created. Philip Quast is sensational as Javert, especially singing "Stars". Michael Ball sings "Empty Chairs at Empty tables" in a way that no other person could. The cast is definitely the Dream Cast! OWN IT NOW!!!!!!!!
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - Sarah Erlewine
Originally conceived as a simple recording production, Les Miserables evolved quickly into one of the premiere theater events of the 1980s. Theatrically on par with Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis is drawn from the Victor Hugo novel of the same name. The story chronicles the life of Jean Valjean, a simple Frenchman arrested as a youth for stealing a loaf of bread. After serving five years for that crime, as well as an additional 14 for attempted escape, Valjean is released on parole. Upon changing his name and eluding his parole officer, he becomes the surrogate father of a young girl and a Mayor as the French Revolution sets in. As the war rages, he finds that he cannot change the ...