This was a GOAT performance. No one will EVER do it better than Lea did. The way she ran out of breath at the climax was so emotional and heartbreaking. And not only her singing, but the way she physically portrayed Eponine was just perfect.

@GeriatricHippo

7 ай бұрын

Ruthie Henshall on "I Dreamed a Dream" and Philip Quast on "Stars" were also amazing and Colm Wlkinson's "Bring Him Home" is still the bar all other's have tried to reach.

@TiaraDalmeida-hf4zp

7 ай бұрын

The new girl from Singapore who is doing eponine now is also amazing. Pure emotions, story telling, acting. Not just singing.

@youredxspanktube

5 ай бұрын

yes that part is perfect!

@subbywan1422

Ай бұрын

Eponine and Javier were the saddest characters by far. So much happens to them over which neither have a modicum of control

@lilrascal4

Ай бұрын

I got to see her in Les Mis decades ago in London...she blew me away then and continues to today 😊

Sung world literature... performed by a world-class singer, explained by a world-class opera singer! Brava! 👏💐

@sirkat344

7 ай бұрын

Doesn't get any better, does it? 😇

@joergojschaefer3521

7 ай бұрын

@@sirkat344 Ich glaube nicht 🙂 Aber wenn ich mir jetzt mal die ganzen Projekte von Miss E. anschaue, wie viele Stunden hat eigentlich ihr Tag? 48+? 😮

Another thing to note is something another reactor has pointed out: is how she fully immerses herself in the character she is portraying. Especially here. Even though she is singing ina "concert" setting, she doesn't break character. She is Eponine from start to finish. Her perfectionism comes from having to be constantly struggling to prove herself. She had many critics when she first started ( being the first Asian performer to be cast in a major role on Broadway ). She faced a lot of criticism and prejudices, so she had to be absolutely perfect all the time. She could not afford to make any mistakes. But all that hard work has paid off because she has become a highly respected and admired performer with an undeniable world-class talent.

In the 25th anniversary concert, she played Fantine. Both versions (10th Eponine, 25th Fantine) are amazing!! I love this woman so much!!! She's so incredibly talented!!!

@bethgoldman2560

7 ай бұрын

I was coming to write the same thing!

@youredxspanktube

5 ай бұрын

oh wow i didnt know that!

@Purplegoldfish

4 ай бұрын

I've only ever heard her Fantine before! Eponine was always my favourite character too, so this was so fun to see/listen to 😊

Elizabeth always provides great analysis while being so down to earth with her charming personality. For this performance, she is a fangirl, gushing over a truly remarkable vocalist.

@MR-backup

6 ай бұрын

Literally a voice nerd.

Hard to believe it’s been 28 yrs since this concert aired on PBS. I definitely remember watching it. This entire concert is incredible.

Lea will always be the queen of enunciation, and my favorite musical theater singer.

The 10th anniversary performance at royal Albert hall is without a doubt the finest performance across all genres. This show was absolute perfection. Colm Wilkinson is simply exquisite as Valjean. Philip Quast is phenomenal as Javert. It's truly a perfect cast performing a perfect show. I vote for your next Les Mis video to be Bring Him Home or I Dreamed a Dream from the 10th anniversary show!

@mochs3869

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for answering my question I was about to ask: I have seen this clip of this song tens of times, but I have never yet seen the entire show because I didn't know which was THE version to watch.

@compostdave

7 ай бұрын

@mochs3869 sure thing. The 10th anniversary show was absolute magic

@dheijnemans

7 ай бұрын

The Bishop's song in this rendition is just pure magic.

@compostdave

7 ай бұрын

@@dheijnemans I love the bishop. I was so happy they got colm to play him in the movie

@heathergarnham9555

7 ай бұрын

I grew up with Phillip Quast on Play School

Lea Salonga is AMAING. When you listen to her as Kim in Miss Saigon she has all of this control and she is barely 18 in that production. If you happen to listen to the Complete Symphonic Recording of Les Mis, Kaho Shimada plays Eponine. She originated the role in Japan, and was selected for this ENGLISH sung album...she (at the time) did not know any English and learned how to sing the song in English in a very short time. She KILLED IT! Check it out.

@Peppermt

7 ай бұрын

i loved kaho shimada's performance as eponine! i preferred her version to lea's; there's a sweetness to her voice that i adore. lea's is powerful but i don't /feel/ as much from her performance as eponine, for some reason

@robofwonder

7 ай бұрын

The Complete Symphonic Recording is so amazing. Was listening to it again for the millionth time today!

@Craigpyrog

7 ай бұрын

I’ve never seen/heard Miss Saigon. Is there a best version to watch?

It's interesting how Les Miserables has changed for me as I've aged. When I first saw it as a young man, the loneliness and hopeful longing of On My Own really spoke to me; but decades later, I was surprised to find myself much more affected by Fantine's I Dreamed a Dream -- her deep anger and regret moved me to tears.

Quite a few years ago she appeared on a studio album of The King and I featuring Julie Andrews and Ben Kingsley. Lea Salonga did a fantastic version of "I Have Dreamed" with Peabo Bryson and she sang "My Lord, my Master." And of course you have Julie Andrews on it too.

What a great surprise to see you cover this! I still remember the first time I saw this as a teen music student. My Dad thought it was hilarious seeing me in my room with Michael Jackson posters on the wall and wearing my Iron Maiden t-shirt watching this on repeat! (I had a crush on Lea after this. 😆 ) This whole performance is phenomenal and still made my eyes well up by the first line. Now you’ll have to cover the outstanding Colm Wilkinson too! Maybe “Bring Him Home”? I’m interested to see how many other Les Mis fans are on the channel.

@andrewtippitt6469

6 ай бұрын

Same. I was well into my death metal phase jamming out to Les Mis during PBS pledge drives because that was always the best programming. There's no way Charismatic Voice lady is older than me but I assume this is a total fan girl video for her.

Elizabeth having a fangirl moment explaining everything w/ such details of this genre is gold,.

Pinoy power! Lea is definitely unmatched. I love the quality of her voice and she carries emotion in every song I've heard her sing. It's not just limited to musicals.

this song is just perfection. doesn't matter how many times I hear/see Les Mis - I will cry.

Elizabeth's joy is so infectious! She helps me to understand more about so many different genres! Learning is fun!

I would love to see more videos on musical theatre performances for sure!

I'm glad you did this one. I never get tired of hearing Lea sing "On My Own"

Her voice is like clean spring water. It shimmers but is clear and refreshing and carries so much energy and emotion. Full body goosebumps. She is an amazing singer. The way you become so excited while explaining why the vocals are so flippin cool makes me love the music even more than I already did. It's hard not to get excited along with you.

@gothooked

7 ай бұрын

Love your analogy, Lea is the goat

This is world class singing and acting, just look at her facial expressions, when the lyrics are sad she is sad, when they are cheerful even if just for a second or two she shines and gives a faint smile. She is living the lyrics and giving it to us to enjoy. Fantastic.

Your reaction is exactly how I feel every time I hear Lea sing this song.

Elizabeth, you are such a fangirl... and i love it. This reaction made me really happy and you are absolutely right, Lea Salonga is awesome. However, now that you started this, you have to react to other Les Miserables songs as well. For example, "I dreamed a Dream" or "Bring him Home".

My GOD I love her voice! So much emotion and depth, vulnerability and strength. She's the perfect Eponine. Her debut performance in Miss Saigon is jaw-dropping. She deserves all the accolades.

My favorite performance of my favorite song from Les Miserables. She is amazing, the love that Eponine has for Marius is beautifully tragic and this performance shows that

My favourite musical and one of the stand-out performances. I would love Colm Wilkinson's 'Let Him Live' reviewed as well, his control through the entire song is amazing, but the last note is so haunting.

You say teary eyed, I say puddle of water. Her voice and emotion just move me so much. Thank you so much for this one! You’re the best.

"Lea at her absolute best! And Elizabeth at her absolute best!" Elizabeth talked often about the work Lea put into performance. Well, it didn't go unnoticed by me to realize the work Elizabeth put into her presentation, as well. I, too, have listened to this video many, manty times and Elizabeth's editing was masterful. We felt the full emotion of the song while Elizabeth told us what was going on. Can you imagine being in that audience listening to Lea sing as she did? They had to be totally stunned even though they knew the song she was about to sing. This was a great video. Congratulations, Elizabeth, you were spectacular.

I can’t hear her without crying for some reason. I think she’d bring me to tears just singing happy birthday.

Ive been so lucky to see her live 3 times. Les Mis, Miss Saigon, and Allegiance. Such a talent.

Lea Salonga is amazing. If you have not heard Kaho Shimada on the Complete Symphonic recording with the international cast, you need to do so ASAP. Her take on this song is ethereal.

There is a concert version of "Reflection " from Mulan that Lea does that is the full version of the song. The version in the movie is cut in half, and the full version is even more moving. I'd love to see Elizabeth react and critique this astonishing performance.

She’s so much more than a Disney princess. She’s been on the stage since she was 7 yrs old.

And you have to understand, she’s a Filipina from the Philippines. So the fact that her accent is that crisp, you can tell it took a lot of dedication

Okay, I turned that notification on again already! I mean, how could I not. Lea's singing is heartstopping. In Les Misérables, she played both Éponine and Fantine on Broadway, and also on their 10th and 25th anniversary respectively. When I first heard the 10th Anniversary (got it on DVD) I was blown away by the exceptional cast. Especially Lea and Colm. Though I have a hard time putting that dvd on nowadays since I got wind of Colm's abusive behavior.

@scott2836

7 ай бұрын

I have no reason to believe that the behavior did not happen. And yet, there has been no word from any other production that Wilkinson was in that this kind of behavior was present. So I am not excusing Mr. Wilkinson, but I do wonder if he was encouraged to make the character more abusively violent. It points to conditions that exist in certain productions that were (are) just not managed well, compassionately, or safely, for the actors involved, in the name of "dramatic presentation". It is a terribly sad story that NEVER should have happened.

omg, so happy to have this video. I've been wanting to see Elizabeth analyze this performance ever since I discovered the channel. I have seen this performance so many times and each time I get goosebumps. Amazing stuff. Other performances from this concert I'd love to have Elizabeth analyze: Philip Quast performing "Stars" Colm Wilkinson performing "Bring Him Home"

Love your enthusiasm in analyzing this performance. Lea is truly amazing. I hope you'll do reactions to more of her performances - there are so many worth watching!!! Every "I love him" - where you see a different thought behind each one - takes my breath away.

‘goosebumps’ for you, ‘tears’ for me. Love her voice

@louiecastillo9167

5 ай бұрын

Idk how she gets through this song without balling cuz I am. 😭

The amount of expression she gets into this song, the first part is happy and dreamy, then it becomes full of pain and loneliness.

Brilliant song. Brilliant Lea. Brilliant analysis, Elizabeth.

The 10th Anniversary stage performance of Les Miserable is stunning. It was my introduction to the production and I think it spoiled me. I've seen other productions and attended a live performance. They were great but still paled by comparison.

@Not_Quite_My_Tempo

7 ай бұрын

Same for me, it's just too good. No wonder they called it Dream Cast. I had the same experience with the 25th Anniversary of the Phantom. It wasn't my introduction to the musical, but it's by far the best version and the rest just fall short.

@STS125

7 ай бұрын

The 10th is the best of them for me too. It's just such beautiful orchestration.

@ijdodijkstra8997

7 ай бұрын

I always felt that version was too polished. The same goes for Lea. Don't get me wrong, she's brilliant, and technically better, but I prefer Frances Ruffelle. The early London cast had a more rough working class edge to it, which I feel fits the story better.

I love that when she tours and sings Disney songs she'll invite audience members to come up and sing duets with her. It's like a little boy's dream come true: singing with a Disney princess!

Elizabeth just fangirling is such a joy to watch.... please also react to "A little fall of rain" from the same 10th anniversary performance...

Your enthusiasm is so ridiculously contagious. And Lea Salonga is either possessed or not from this world.

I saw Les Misérables live for the first time a few years ago and it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. It's not my favourite musical (though it is up there), but I have NEVER been so moved watching a live performance. I had literal tear tracks down my face and completely ruined my makeup because I cried pretty much the whole way through lol If I ever saw Lea live, I'd probably just die 😆Just listening to this gave me full body goosebumps!

I’ve been enamored with this performance for almost thirty years. Of course I knew Elisabeth would be nerding out all over this. ❤😊

I know others have requested "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Bring Him Home" and those are major slays but I have been obsessed with Philip Quast's voice from this concert for 16 years. So if you could please do anything that features him from this that would be awesome. His vocal quality is so incredible and perfect for Javert. So much authority in his tone. It's incredible.

She is beyond fantastic to see in person 😊 she performed in les miserables the first time I watched it, one of my favorite performers of all time!

Les Mis is without a doubt my absolute favourite musical, and this concert is sooooo good. Eponine's story is the most tragic of all of the main characters. Empty Chairs and Val Jean's Epilogue are the ones that always get me teary... I would love an analysis of the Epilogue from this concert.

@shegocrazy

6 ай бұрын

Val Jean's epilogue got to me at a low point. Not sure if it was a healthy thing or not but I always remember it.

Speaking of Disney princesses, in this show there's ofc also Judy Kuhn, the singing voice of Pochahontas. I would love for you to react to "A Heart Full of Love" from this concert where the two "princesses" battle, or should that be belting it out, for the affection of Michael Ball's Marius. The notes this trio of amazing singers hit at the end of that particular song, omg it's simply out of this world!

I don’t know how many gazillion times i saw this performance, she always take me to the clouds😊

The ability to balance the attack at the start of each line and seamlessly dialing back to an intense but not overwhelming note highlighted by the significant vibrato, in the first major break down. Such technical mastery exemplified in such a short time it's impressive even if I'm not a fan of this music.

That first of the final "I love him"s is an emotional gut punch every time. never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

She still sings this song in her concert and nailed it everytime.

Ahh! I love that you did this one. I'm not a singer at all, but I've watched this performance soooo many times. Perfect example of the power of great vocals to give you goosebumps and raise the hairs on your neck.

I absolutely love how in-depth you went with this. It is really easy to overlook just how powerful this performance is because she does it so effortlessly. Because she makes it look easy people just assume that it is easy and it is anything but. Her performance in the Saigon is literally one of my favorite things I’ve seen.

This is legit my favorite performance ever. I am also a metal head but musical theater is something special. Lea Solanga and Elina Garnca are my favorite living vocalists.

The prime acknowledgement of Lea's greatness is your willingness to do this video. You probably know her whole repertoire, yet she still 18:05 gives you chills.

This is the most epic performance I have ever experienced. I have certainly heard and seen this at least a thousand times, but I still can't get through it without tearing up. Lea Salonga is an angel! And she is THE Eponine. ❤

It's lovely how as she has aged (as we all do) her voice has continued to mature. Eponine to Fantine. She's simply wonderful to see in a live performance. ps Goosebumps every single time I get to sit and really listen to this.

I saw her as Fantine on Broadway and got a photo after, and it was freezing outside. She was so kind. Was so amazing to see her live, traveled from FL to NYC just to see her in person in Les Miz.

Everyone reacts to this performance, and I get it. It is a standard setting performance. However, I am partial to her as Fantine about 15 years later. That is definitely worth a watch. I personally feel her emotionally even more there.

@meredithchandler73

6 ай бұрын

Well, Lea was older and had lived more life by the time she played Fantine. And there are some clips of Lea as Fantine on Broadway which I think have even more emotion than the 25th anniversary concert. Fantastic performances.

I had the pleaser of seeing her play Fantine, she sang and acted the hell out of that part. I love her eponine , but it was such treat to see her portrayal as Fantine, there wasn't a dry eye in the house,

I was fortunate to see Ms. Salonga originate the role of Kim in Miss Saigon in 1989 in London and perform it again in 1991 on Broadway. I was gobsmacked! I've been a fan ever since. She received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for that performance. When she took on the role of Éponine on Broadway in 1993, I made a special trip to see the performance. She was my favorite of the many to take on that role. (she does a masterful interpretation of "Unusual Way" from Nine). Thanks to Elizabeth for rekindling that initial amazement at her talent.

My wife and I have seen mis probably a dozen times live. This is my favorite song of the show and this is one of my favorite performances of all time. I can’t remain unemotional during this one. No one will ever do this song better than this single performance, not even her.

I love Les Mis so much! I grew up belting this song in my bedroom and performing for my mom. I'm pretty sure I sang it for drama class once in high-school as well. The music of Les Mis just has so much emotion and power, will always give me goosebumps and can still bring me to tears. This song in particular though always has a special place in my heart!

An amazing talent. First saw a few years ago in a rerun of a movie she made in the 90s called Redwood Curtain. A great acting performance among many talented actors. Then come to realize she's mainly been a stalwart in musical theatre on Broadway and the West End. As well as her acting in singing in the Philippines in another language. She can do it all.

Fist saw Lea Salonga when she did the original Miss Saigon at Drury Lane with Jonathan Pryce, Simon Bowman and Peter Polycarpou whose Bui Doi was mesmerising. Lea had and still has the voice of an angel. (She wasn't in any of the versions of Les Mis that we got to see; so far seen it 7 times I think in at least 2 different venues.)

My first exposure to Les Miserables was to see the concert version on PBS. It so impressed me that I actually sprung for the offered DVD. Since then I've been blessed to see both a live version and the movie with Hugh Jackman. Eponine's unrequited love for Marius and her ensuing death makes my heart ache for her.

22:20 The last line she sings here has never failed to make my eyes tear up. Her voice and delivery is so amazing.

The absolute joy on your face even though you've heard it before is what makes this performance so incredible. I've watched it a lot as well and it never gets boring

I've seen and heard so many versions of Les Mis. This is of course one of the very best renditions, if not the best, of On My Own. The current touring production in the US (if its till going - I saw it in March) is the best version I have seen since I first saw Les Mis 30+ years ago.

That line when she sings about a world full of happiness that she’s never known…got me teary eyed too.

I love Lea and will listen to any song she sings, be it theatre or concerts as herself. Please continue to react to as many videos of her singing as you can, and I’ll watch

Tears every single time she begins the "On my own" line. And I listen to this probably once every other week lol

Watching Liz, watching Lea; grinning through my tears. Magnifique!

3:20 - That tiny change in your expression as Lea delivers her first line is ever so subtle, and yet one of the purest and most affecting reactions I've seen. So much said with so little!

Just LOVE her! Bravo Lea! 🤗💜👏 such great tone quality, timing, emotion she has it all, she gives me goosebumps and makes me well up, such talent xxx 💜💐

I fell in love with Les Miserables my junior year of high school and have been in love with it for 30 years. This song, in particular, has been a favorite. I've heard Frances Ruffelle sing this song on the original London cast hundreds of times. Lea Salonga does a fantastic job as Eponine. Love this version. Thank you for showcasing it.

SImply the best, from the best Les Mis concert of all. Doesn't matter how many times you watch it, it's still the best.

this is my absolute favorite version of this musical. the cast are all incredible. Phillip Quast is my favorite Javert. Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, and Judy Kuhn, (another disney princess), are also standouts. and every time they bring in that gigantic choir behind the full orchestra, it gives me full body chills.

The way she sang this......its so crystal & pristine than my sight❤

I love Les Mis so much

This is my favorite song from my favorite musical. Looking forward to this!!

I could listen to Lea for hours. Goose bumps time.

I too have listened to this performance over and over. It’s like an essential part of my life support system 😊 So very interesting hearing you explain all the things I love about how she delivers the lines. Makes me appreciate her even more. I’d need this performance on my desert island. Heartbreakingly gorgeous

The 10th anniversary concert is my favorite rendition of les mis by FAR!

I saw Les Mis at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago. It was stunning. The actress doing this song walked off the stage and walked along the silver wall separating the inner circle from the rest of the seats. It made it really moving - like she was coming into the audience to sing. Just a great production.

I've seen this musical three times and always brings such joy. Such a beautiful human epic. This actress is amazing.

She's been my favorite Les Mis. vocalist for a long time. Thanks for the review.

i just love her version of eponine but WOW the way you breakdown the song's technical insights makes me appreciate it even better

For THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW: Check out some of Elizabeth's operatic performances on here that uniquely qualify her to analyze any performance. Stunning control in her vocal prowess. Not just having range, but a fluidity as she projects her voice with emotion while maintaining a command of what each piece of music requires. I was never a big fan of Opera before, but going through her performances, one cannot help but appreciate the stunning nature of what she has accomplished vocally. She is next level...countless hours of dedication to the craft to pull off what she has done

I’ve never seen this and am in tears and love the reaction. THANK YOU!

I got into you with you diving into my rock world. Now you share your world with us. Very kind thank you!

This kind of beautiful reaction definitely deserves a SUB. 👍👍👍👍👍

I laughed and loved my way through this whole video very teary eyed. Probably my fave song, from one of my fave musicals sung by my fave Disney princess. Lea is the GOAT and this and hellfire has very much reenthused my fascination with the awesome channel.

I cannot offer new appreciation of Lea Salonga, since this exact rendition keeps astounding me as much every single time I watch and listen to it! Ut made me watch a documentary about her role in Miss Saigon and several other videos, but this is the one I keep coming back to. It really is perfection, in every conceivable way! And now I feel the need to watch Emmy Rossum sing The Phantom of the Opera", especially"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again". Actually the entire movie, and then I need to rewatch "Les Miserables" to get the chills from Sarah Ramirez and the little boy that both blew the entire cast of A-listers out of the water! If still aluve and breathing after all that, it might be necessary to end the party by watching "Så Som I Himmelen", and thoroughly enjoy Gabriella's Song"... You would live that movie ans that song SO much, judging by the way you hve reacted to many of my favorites! Maybe you could find the movie with English subtitles? I feel that it's important to have gotten to know Gabriella's life before reacting to her song.

Les Mis is one of my favorite plays and I have seen it in London several times. She sang it beautifully in this video.

I love Les Misérables, and Lea Salonga is just perfect in it. Thank you for bringing back so many memories.

I got a station on my Pandora based off Lea. Anytime the stress of the work day is getting to me, I put in my earbuds, go to that station, and the music in the rotation lifts my spirit.

Thank you for this. Les Miz is my favorite musical ever. Everything you said about it is absolutely true.