Saw Alfie sing at the Les Mis Concert last summer at The Gielgud Theatre. Just as Alfie walked forward tp sing, a reverent hush fell over the theatre. You could have heard a pin drop. He held the audience spellbound, we could barely breathe it was so touching and beautiful. The was a slight pause after the last note of ...home and then we all stood to applaud. The theatre erupted. It’s one of those magical moments that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Afterwards, he was so gracious at the stage door. Signing autographs and posing with fans for photos. I asked for a hug for a fellow northerner, and he obliged! Fabulous day with superb memories.

@emilyb1438

3 жыл бұрын

I too saw and met him after Broadway. So gracious. His voice was bigger than the theater. Absolutely cannot believe we got to see him.

@dawnpratt7544

3 жыл бұрын

I saw it at the Gielgud also, and I don't think I took a single breath through this song. The standing ovation afterwards lasted for an eternity.

@andrewburton-fullick7652

3 жыл бұрын

I agree I saw Les Mis at the Palace Theater for my 39th Birthday that Moment as he brought Marius out the sewers and the Music started for bring him home started, by the end I was sobbing it really got me.

@suerawlings7698

3 жыл бұрын

Alfie was sick when I went to the Guilgud 😢

@dawnpratt7544

3 жыл бұрын

@@suerawlings7698 That's a shame; especially given how hot the tickets were.

The biggest difference between to the two is refinement. Both in the character and vocally, Colm is pouring everything into with vocally and with his body, and the vowels that he sustains on are his and his alone. It's raw, it's powerful, you can hear him bargainnig with god, it's almost like he's chaneling Gethsemane in Jesus Chrrist Superstar. Alfie is vocal beauty, pure italian vowels, and technical perfection, paired with honest understated yet effective acting. His plea is there in the voice and in his eyes, while still maintaining perfect vocal technique. They're both stunning.

@spacebum

3 жыл бұрын

You’ve just said everything I was thinking, but far more eloquently than I ever could.

@annab3182

3 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@junhsu6366

3 жыл бұрын

Really well said. But personally, I prefer Colm's performance . His interpretation to me is much closer to the character and the plot: an old man who've seen and gone through all the hardships, struggles and unfairness, maybe became even self-defense and a little bit unconcerned now bargaining with god in exchange of the young man's live. Like you said, it's raw, powerful and even like begging with a little bit anger which makes the performance perfect. To me Alfie sing it beautifully but too peacefully, not that close to the character.

@djquinn4212

3 жыл бұрын

@@junhsu6366 I think it depends on how you play the character. Wilkinson plays the convict aspect of valjean’s personality very close to the surface. Boe plays him as someone who buried that experience deep inside and as someone who let everything else that happened after shape the character. Both approaches are rooted in the text. Personally? I’d rather hear a beautiful song like that sung with as much vocal beauty as possible, but who am I to quibble. As long as it packs an emotional punch and it’s sung WELL, which they both do, I’m not gonna complain.

@traderpete007

2 жыл бұрын

@@junhsu6366 I think you nailed it. Valjean was a physical man. He spent 20 years in a work camp, he just carried a full grown man through the sewer system to break away from the war front. This song is extremely emotional and the man is exhausted, afraid and calling on God to step in. There is nothing peaceful about it. There is nothing perfect about it.

Colm Wilkinson could sing a page of the phonebook and make me cry.

@jamesrawlins735

2 жыл бұрын

What's amazing is that we could have gotten Colm as Che Guevara in Evita. Colm did the original 2- record album (Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph also were done on records before going to the stage). Andrew Lloyd Webber certainly wanted Colm to do Che, but he decided to try to become a singer-songwriter (He was CT Wilkinson) - so Mandy Patinkin got the part. Colm also could have been the original Phantom, but turned it down to do Valjean.

Well spoken. It’s definitely not about who did it best; it’s about appreciating both performances for their contributions to the role.

@amyepstein4868

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. You understand music is not a contest. A gift you can savor and enjoy from multiple vocal artists. I don't call people with this talent singers. Because they all are artists.

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

!!!!

Here we go again. The trademark Marc Daniel Patrick "this performance is a masterpiece so I'm going to smile helplessly like a lovestruck Marius seeing Cosette" smile. What a mood. That's the expression on my face the entire time when I listen to either Colm Wilkinson or Alfie Boe.

@JustBeingAwesome

3 жыл бұрын

I want a boyfriend that looks at me like Marc Daniel Patrick looks at superior Musical Theatre :-D

@excaria5949

3 жыл бұрын

@@JustBeingAwesome Ikr 😂

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

@@JustBeingAwesome Just so you know, my sister took a screen shot of this comment and texted it to me the other day, she loved it so much.

@12cowwoman

3 жыл бұрын

@@JustBeingAwesome - oh, that we should all be so lucky 😍

@12cowwoman

3 жыл бұрын

@@MarcDanielPatrick - see?! told you! they love how you can't hide what the music does to you ☺️

I saw Colm opening night in NYC. This song literally stopped the show. It took a long time for us to finally stop clapping, sit down and let the show go on. Grown men were sobbing. I so enjoy seeing that look on your face of appreciation and respect for the music and the artists. Thanks for making this. Also, the explanation of the emotions during the Alfie version was so spot-on. Please, please can you do Philip Quast doing STARS and George Hearn doing MY FRIENDS from Sweeney Todd. Pleeeese

@astoriacub

Жыл бұрын

I saw the show in May of '87 as a freshman in high school, it was my first B'way show and I had no idea what I was going to see. I was blown away, I had no idea people could sing like that and it was the first time music brought me to tears. Colm Wilkinson...OMG.

Every time I hear Colm singing this… man, I just love it. Best Valjean ever

Alfie Boe's singing was so effortless, so elegant and airy. Especially the ending. It was just so beautiful

@Gee-xb7rt

13 күн бұрын

major difference to me is he is an operatic tenor, but very seldom has opportunities like this.

Every time I watch Alfie sing this, I get something in my eyes.

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Bahaha.

@poohsplaylist4913

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I'm not the only one...

@tonybrown9775

3 жыл бұрын

Same here I'm watching it in bed tonite, I might need a tissue

You have to listen to the encore performance of the 25th. It has both men singing, plus to more amazing men, a quartet of this song. It is heart stopping! When Alfie comes in, your mouth will drop. So good. The whole song. So freaking good.

@hindas

Жыл бұрын

I left this movie theater performance of Les Mis floating on Alfie's entry into the encore. Left me actually breathless.

@lindal.8861

Жыл бұрын

This music and voices overtake me! Fabulous!

@gracebaumgarten8900

8 ай бұрын

@@hindasleaves me in tears every time I’ve heard Alfie Boe sing this. 💧💧

I had the utterly transformative experience seeing Colm during his short reprise of the role in Toronto. Front row center! I will never, ever forget it!

Vocally Alfie just slays my life every time. The person time I heard him sing it I cried. He is so precise and internal the way he sings. This is my favorite musical theater that I’ve sang so many times. Alfie inspires me and I always want to do it justice every time I sing it, partly because of him

The lyrics really hit home when Alfie sings this song, he really puts the emotions into it. I also think by not over distorting the vowels you can believe this is a man genuinely praying to God and not just giving a concert performance.

@HORHAYY10

3 жыл бұрын

Wow it's interesting you say this because my opinion is the complete opposite - I believe Colm's performance, whereas Alfie's seems just like an operatic performance. Say N-yah (merged into one syllable). Then say it again and allow it to come from the back/bottom of your mouth/throat - that is unfortunately all I hear when Alfie sings. It's too operatic IMO (I hope I've been able to explain what I mean, I have no knowledge of actual singing lol)

@katiehough2499

3 жыл бұрын

@@HORHAYY10 That's interesting! What's great about theatre is different people can love different aspects for their own reasons. I have some operatic and musical theatre experience but wouldn't consider myself an expert either - it's just what it sounds like to me, and I prefer that style of 'natural' singing (but still with good placement and and open airway)

@nu8786

2 жыл бұрын

I really like both versions. But Alfie reduced me to tears. I felt like He was Truely Praying to God. But Bravo to both of them. 🌹♥️

You should analyze Ramin Karimloo singing “Til I Hear You Sing” and “Bring Him Home”

@deiamartiny1

3 жыл бұрын

Brian Pils yes please!

@pearl218

3 жыл бұрын

Y E S 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@timfha

3 жыл бұрын

Better yet, compare Ben Lewis and Ramin singing “Til I Hear You Sing”

@markdanielcatubay2702

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@secondaccount4569

3 жыл бұрын

timfha that would be interesting compare the classical style to the belting style

Looks at that one dislike: must be Javert!

@Arcessitor

3 жыл бұрын

HE'S FOUND OUR COVER AT LAST

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

HAHAHA

@ericasings2181

3 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha

@jpara_dise

3 жыл бұрын

WAHAHAHAHAA

Thank you for showing Alfie's interpretation of 'Bring Him Home'.

I saw an interview with Alfie Boe he said he went into a "trance" as he performed and that he was startled to see the audience as he finished song.

@poohsplaylist4913

3 жыл бұрын

I saw that too. He said it was like a bubble. And slowly the sound of the audience's applause came to him. He was determined not to break character, but had to acknowledge their accolades before the show could go on. Like a 10 minute standing ovation!

@bsmith5970

3 жыл бұрын

He sang this song in the Mormon Tabernacle at one of their Christmas shows. They routinely have guest singers (all types from Broadway to Opera to pop - even the Muppets) and this was the song he chose for his solo - and the orchestra was just as understated. The Tabernacle, like the O2, seats around 22,000 people and they always sell out their Christmas performances. I believe Tom Brokaw did the narration that year. Alfie hates wearing a tie and had his shirt open the nights he sang. He'd mentally prepare himself each time he had to sing it. I think the video is now gone, but one commenter mentioned he got a 5 minute standing ovation, a rare thing where great singers routinely give bravura performances. His falsetto (or head voice if you prefer) is remarkable. I can, off-hand think of only one other performance of a guest at the Tabernacle that actually outdid this - Andrea Bocelli and the choir doing The Lord's Prayer. kzread.info/dash/bejne/p2yeq8-Cmsqahbw.html

Colm Wilkinson totally naiks the perfect combination and transmiting clearly and powerfully Jean Valjean. Both are great singers, Colm just makee you really feel the song.

I love Colm's raspy, earthy take most, but Alfie's tone is so pure, it just draws you in

For me, listing to Alfie is "perfect" singing, but listing to Colm "hurts"... I feel the pain... It truly sounds like pleading to me, where-as (for me) Alfie is "just" putting on a phenomenal vocal performance. Amazing to hear, but I really feel Colm. Both of them are amazing, but its Colm for me.

I flew to London just to hear Alfie sing! It was my birthday present to myself 10 years ago!

Very lucky to see Alfie Boe sing “Bring Him Home” with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir several years. He was so intimate and powerful.

What I personally enjoyed so much about both performances of this song is the delicate tenderness that each portrayed. It felt like being privy to a private moment of prayer, fear, hope, worry, tenderness, etc. . . . something that isn't portrayed by men very often either onscreen or off in reality. So it felt like a holy moment. And it was.

@joshuagharis9017

Жыл бұрын

Portrays perfectly what a father would feel

Wilkinson’s performance always bring tears to my eyes, perhaps, that’s what I feel a prayer in such a hopeless situation should be?

I like how you gave us a small history lesson with this one. This song gives me goosebumps! Literal shivers up my spine each time I hear it. But seeing it live or watching someone perform it literally stops my heart...

Thank you so much for your comments and analysis. This is absolutely one of my favorite songs in musical theater! I've seen Les Mis over thirty times on Broadway and had the pleasure of seeing a performance by Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean. He's absolutely amazing. I've never seen Alfie Boe play the part, but his performance is superb as well. Another vocalist I've seen in person is Ramin Karimloo who had me in tears even after seeing this song performed so many times. I'm constantly blown away by the talent, artistry, and magnificence of these singers. Your analysis reminds me that they've also worked incredibly hard to perfect their craft and that it takes a singular determination. Thank you. On another note...your facial expressions make me smile and sometimes crack up because I feel their music through you. It's like watching a kid in a candy store. I love it!

Alfie's eyes just touch my soul and break my heart all at once.

Colm was my first Jean Valjean & with Philip Quast as Javert in the 10th Anniv Performance was perfection to me. I believe Cameron Macintosh called it his dream cast. But Alfie Boe was also perfect for the 25th anniversary performance. Very dramatic, vocally superior, mesmerising.

This song makes me cry every single time.

Ok but I need to see that dreamy admiration look while listening to the 4 tenors during the 25th anniversary...

@g2growcya

3 жыл бұрын

OMG yes!!!

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Bahaha

@rontantino5010

3 жыл бұрын

Your facial expressions are far better than the performance

See, now I want to see you try to dissect the Four Valjeans version from the end of the 25th Anniversary concert. (Colm can still hold that high note for days!)

@Cassandra.Northcott17

3 жыл бұрын

I cry every time I watch that one! The chills!

@yko542

3 жыл бұрын

Second this comment! I’d love to see your thoughts on the four Valjeans

@jpara_dise

3 жыл бұрын

Up

@suzannerae7124

2 жыл бұрын

I thought Colm struggled a bit with the high note.

@limofranky1

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately we never got to see the American singer who was to replace Colm Wilkinson after the show opened in 1987. Cast member Kevin Marcum died just weeks before the scheduled transition when Colm was to elect to return home. Kevin was just a young 30 something at the time.

I was so lucky to see Alfie Boe perform this role in London in 2011. I had seen this show on TV a few months before the show and I thought I was prepared to see it live ... I wasn’t! He was magnificent and I cried throughout the entire song. I had seen Les Mis on stage three times before but nothing will compare to seeing Alfie’s performance.

As a classically trained singer, Alfie Boe’s approach to the “o” vowel in home. Over opening can cause stress in muscles where you don’t want it to be. A closed vowel still has plenty of acoustic space for the sound to be created. Bear in mind, Alfie does not need a microphone. He’s sung over orchestras in opera houses his entire career.

@nettie607

3 жыл бұрын

Also, I can tell you, as a classically trained opera singer, by keeping your mouth almost closed, it is an excellent way of controlling your volume.

@LeeJCander

3 жыл бұрын

Copertura :) You know!

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nicholas for the explanation. I found it odd (his approach) especially when Colm is so wide open for most of the song.

@LeeJCander

3 жыл бұрын

@@MarcDanielPatrick copertura is a technique common in tenors going through the passagio where they add a 'cover' to the particular vowel they sing also. There's a good video of Pavarotti explaining why they sing this way and not totally open.

@KC-kp4wc

3 жыл бұрын

I sing with this technique to control air flow on softer notes and let them spin. If I open too wide when I don't need to, there can be a tendency to let the resonance fall back too far, and a risk of bringing up too much weight on the note. Alfie has an open throat, lifted palate, and is singing in the mask, so he doesn't need to 'muscle' it like many musical theatre singers do. If you're putting too much pressure on your chords and singing through your throat, then yeah, you're gonna need to open wide to get the sound out. It also will produce a wider vibrato like Colm has, while Alfie has a clean and resonant spin to his. Because all the work should be happening below your neck, not above!

Whether Colm or Alfie, the performance is timeless and so visceral. What is much more moving to me are the facial expressions of Marc. To watch him watching the performances is enough to make me feel his emotions...enough to bring tears.

I will probably always think of Colm as "my Valjean". My introduction to Les Mis was the 10th anniversary concert so those performers will always hold a special place in my heart. While I do like Alfie, and think he has a fantastic and powerful voice, in my opinion Colm is the better actor. Also... Bring Him Home was written specifically for Colm - that's pretty hard to compete with.

@lexieostler8435

3 жыл бұрын

Same! I grew up with the 10 year anniversary! It’s the best version of the show, for sure.

@annacairns

3 жыл бұрын

I have the OCR of Les Miz and that's what I listen too. Jeff Leyton is a good JVJ also. Saw Colm live a few years ago and he sang Bring Him Home from the heart. And he went higher than the last note. Sorry Alfie. Good. But really not for me.

@Sweeney541

3 жыл бұрын

@@annacairns Yes, Jeff is good too as is John Owen-Jones and many others. By OCR I assume you mean the London cast? I'm used to seeing the specific abbriviations (OLC: London and OBC: Broadway), so wanted to be sure which one you meant. :)

@annacairns

3 жыл бұрын

@@Sweeney541 Yes. Sorry I meant the OLC. It's phenomenonal 🙂

@Sweeney541

3 жыл бұрын

No need to be sorry. I was just curious :) And I agree. There are good and bad things to say about both recordings, but I definitely prefer the OLC too. No disrespect to the Broadway cast, but it's hard to beat Patti LuPone, Michael Ball, Rebecca Caine etc.

Colm and Alfie's renditions were unique and great. Colm's raw emotion in every note was powerful and holds you entranced with each one. Alfie's rendition was smooth, subtle, yet powerful. His transition from note to note was so pure and just blended perfectly till the last note. Both were amazing. So grateful to have witnessed both.

Love this reaction video. They're both amazing ❤️❤️

I would love to see The Confrontation from Les Mis, every performance is different and there is sure a lot to unpack

Alfie gets that sound by perfectly placing the voice in the mask of his face. If you watch closely you can see him subtlety raising his eye brows and placing his voice through the mask and forehead. Colm doesn't, he has a little more tension in the larynx so he has to open his mouth more to get the resonance and volume. Alfie's technique is perfect. I'm not slamming Wilkinson in anyway, his approach is more pop whereas Alfie is more classical/operatic.

@spellywelly

3 жыл бұрын

Edward Batchelor absolutely right. Alfie also trained as an operatic tenor at both the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio, which only takes 12 singers/academic year, and was then raised by the English National Opera. Alfie’s had to re-learn to sing with amplification, because with projection, he’d out-sing musical theatre singers without. I used to feel a little miffed Alfie had ‘crossed over’, because I was raised at the ENO too. But I can’t be. By far the most graceful, versatile and authentic crossover artist in the world, IMHO. I can’t be miffed at that.

@astoriacub

3 жыл бұрын

@@spellywelly Bowe's technique also allows him to have better pitch and legato through the phrases than Wilkinson. Bowe would have been an amazing Rudolfo and Cavaradossi.

@patwatterson

3 жыл бұрын

@@astoriacub Alfie has sung Rudolfo several times. The first time was in Baz Luhrmann's production on Broadway in 2002, leaving the Royal Opera House Young Artists programme to do so. He's also played the role for English National Opera at the London Coliseum (his 2009 performance is on DVD and KZread) He's performed in several other parts over time, including the role of Tybalt in a performance at the Royal Opera House immediately after the Les Mis 25th Anniversary concert shown here.

@pamelaboyd1384

2 жыл бұрын

@@spellywelly Lovely comments.

@pamelaboyd1384

2 жыл бұрын

@@spellywellyI love your comments.

I just found your reviews. I’m in love. You have such a direct, but kind way of analyzing someone’s voice & interpretation. Can wait to watch more!

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much

That would be Cameron Macintosh, not MacIntyre

@RickCarlino1

3 жыл бұрын

Ha! Was scrolling for this!!

@ChickPeaChannel

2 жыл бұрын

And Samantha Barks, not Banks

Colm used to be my favourite and then I saw Alfie do this in London and fell in love with his version.

This song was added to Les Miserables for Him, before it was not in the show and they added it to suit his voice this is why he sings it the best.

I loved both performances. Beautiful

I've given my thumbs up before even seeing the video. I'm so excited. I can't wait. Love your channel, Marc.

@Lightfox14

3 жыл бұрын

Same

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. Means a lot.

I just came upon your site. I must say, to watch ‘your’ facial expressions while watching the performers is most endearing. The respect you show is wonderful. I will continue to watch your site and ‘learn’ from you. Bless you.

Absolutely beautiful interpretation and execution by both. Just beautiful.

i've heard Alfie Boe singing live and he's absolutly amazing, but Colm Wilkinson will be always my Valjean.

Loved this so much thanks and keep on doing what your doing mate love it

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Liam

I can see the passion in your face as you were listening 🎶. Beautiful

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables sung by Michael Ball would be awesome to see too

So happy i've found your channel. I'm a big musical theatre fan that knows nothing about musical theory, so I really appretiate the little details you point out and all these insights on how it is meant to be sung and all, and how sweet and positive you're about it. That's a rare combination on KZread.

Love love love. Thanks Marc

I saw Wilkinson in the London production. I’ll ever forget it or him. He was magnificent! I couldn’t imagine anyone else in this role until I saw Boe. You’re right: two different men, two different deliveries, two incredible performances. So glad these videos are available. I also enjoyed watching you watching them!

Wilkinson and Alfie Boe are both too good! it’s so hard to choose one over the other, but i have to say that Alfie made me fall in love with this song i LOVE his interpretation!

I saw Les Miserables Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre with outstanding Mr Alfie Boe last August 28th and it was absolutely fantastic! A memory for the rest of my life 🎼🎵🎶🎶🎵

i was trying to think of how alfie's voice made me feel when he sings this song and i remembered it as soon as i heard his voice it makes me ASCEND that is the only way i could describe it literally sounds like something you would hear in a church or in heaven idk

Look it up Marc , bring him home was not in the original composition it was added due to Colms range . At the time you did not get opera singers in for musicals . Colm is the god of musical singing not opera. His voice, his body language he is just amazing brings me to tears

I've heard this song 100,000x and I still cry. Every. Damn. Time.

Please react to Philip Quast singing Javert's Suicide or Stars in the 10th Anniversarie of Les Mis!!!

@jeffoconnor1192

3 жыл бұрын

YES!!! Stars!! But I’d take either one.

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Coming.

@caseymorgan2054

3 жыл бұрын

His note "reprieeeevvve" needs to bevreacted too! Please?😚

@ellieshaw8198

3 жыл бұрын

Yessssss please.

@lillietuck6682

3 жыл бұрын

ugh yes, the best javert

Both spectacular!

I love how you explain that they have their own interpretations and one isn’t the winner over another. God given talentsis what it is , plus the desire in each singer/actor to practice and achieve. Les Miz is my all time favorite, even though I love most musicals. I don’t see how Les Miz can ever be topped! I love your show, too. You feel each song, and you know each one deep in your heart. I would love to see you coach a singer.

You give the best insight...so very thoughtful.

Funny that Alfie's arm movement reminded you of Jesus on the cross. Your comments about the song being "the prayer" and the "You can take, you can give" lyric reminded me of "Gethsemane" from JCS. Never made that connection before.

You have such a lovely, beatific look on your face as you watch and listen! I enjoy watching you as much as listening to one of my favorite performances of all times. Thank you!

Yes yes yes was waiting for this one!

Brilliant video, thanks for uploading!

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thank you for your video! I watched the 25th anniversary yesterday and I needed content about the show! Now I can cry in the comment where I am not alone !!! Thak you Marc Daniel Patrick for giving me a safe place to cry about musicals!!!

Thanks so much for taking my suggestion! I love Colm's interpretation (he's so obviously Irish in his pronunciations) and it totally has an amazing impact and influence on all future Valjeans. For me, its just as you said. Colm is very physical in his performance, using those physical queues to drive the emotion. Alfie is almost the opposite. He's using the emotion to drive the physical queues. When I am singing myself (not well but passionate) and I am overcome by the emotion of a song, I will often close my eyes to really internalize that feeling. This may be why his performance resonates so much with me. It also makes the "eye-contact" he does make even more poignant and powerful. I loved watching this an appreciating it through new eyes. You hit on a lot of points I always feel watching these performances. Keep up the great videos!

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the suggestion!

Colm and John Owen Jones are my favourites although Alfie has a beautiful voice. JOJ is absolutely fabulous. His Bui Doi is one of my favourites.

This was great thank you!

How dare you make us cry our eyes out not once but twice!

Either performance, I always get choked up. It's so beautifully done

Cannot wait for this Marc 2 heavyweights of MT had the pleasure of seeing both of them when they were /are in their prime

I literally cried everytime Alfie sing and I stop just to listen to your comment and cried again when you play the video... the way he sing this song hit so hard.. I sing this to my self when my father was sick... so i love how he interpreted the song like he’s praying to God... like hmmm 🥺🥺

They both did awesome 😊❤

Beautifully articulated analysis!

OMG love this. Please do more side by sides from old vs new versions of the same Les Mis song. This is by far one of my fav 3 Broadway shows ever (Fiddler, Les Mis, Phantom are all tied)

I love them both so so much with different interpretations of the song however!!!.... I’d be voting for Alfie on this with his meek internal feelings almost into crying. His acting comes out of his voice that’s almost or is GOLDEN. He is telling the audience that he IS Valjean himself. He is talking to God. Anyway, I’m not being demanding here but if you may review the proper song for my own satisfaction: “Stars” with Philip Quast vs Norm Lewis

@randypickering5793

3 жыл бұрын

Stars - yes please!

@caligal1090

3 жыл бұрын

oh come on philip quast is the best with anything javert related...only heard norm lewis a few times and something was off to me about his voice

@cielindaq9190

3 жыл бұрын

Tara but Norm’s acting is also up to par... oh man.... Quast is my favorite too but amongst the newer ones, Norm could stand up against Michael Ball and the other vets.

So glad I found you, My favourite musicale too. Thank you Mark.

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

All the Valjeans are great in their own ways but Colm will always be “my” Valjean

@dkdh

3 жыл бұрын

cannot Agreed more!!

@annmitchell4663

3 жыл бұрын

The music was written for Colms voice.

@susannariera

3 жыл бұрын

same here!

@fabrisse7469

3 жыл бұрын

@@annmitchell4663 no it wasn't. The play was French and translated to English later.

@fabrisse7469

3 жыл бұрын

I was lucky enough to see the play within 3 months of its West End opening. I'd been a huge fan from seeing him as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, but hearing this for the first time was so far beyond that

Alfie has beautiful, clear vocals. Perfect. I get the chills from Wilkinson.

@joellukewarriorforjesusthe293

2 жыл бұрын

I agree :)

I could never articulate this so well, but you grasp my emotion. So well said!!

Why do you do this to me!? I opened KZread and was so excited to watch.... and it’s 19 hours away

@MarcDanielPatrick

3 жыл бұрын

Bahaha. im so sorry.

I love how he feels the music. Every time I‘m like „Yes man, this is how you have to listen to this“. Musical goes straight to the heart and he shows this perfectly😍👍

So interesting to hear your expert opinions. Love both interpretations, but Alfie is just so brilliant!

I grew up watching this version, this was my introduction to musical theatre and will forever be my favourite!!! Nothing will ever beat it and when I finally got the chance to see it live I think I sobbed most of the way through because of how much the music means to mean. Thanks for reacting to this as I love hearing a deeper breakdown of music that I love. The only regret I’ve had in life is never being confident enough to pursue musical theatre as a career or even as a hobby

Alfie Boe is the only Tenor singer that I know who can sing so powerful and yet soothingl and crystal clear all at the same time. He's like the male version of Lea Salonga (for me) which make thier unison so perfectly on spot, in this particular concert. ♥

Great videos and I agree with you whole heartedly.

I would love to see a video of one of your performances!

Marc is right both are beautiful performances of a beautiful song

Colm will always be the benchmark, especially since the song was written by/for his voice and delivery. Look up the video on here “Les Miserables - The Writing of “Bring Him Home”” for the creation story of this specific number in the show and how instrumental Colm was to its creation.

I just finished reading les miserable and am so touched what i am learning from your comments especially Eddie singing empty chairs and Colm let him live,so happy to see this

Thank you!

I saw Alfie Boe reprise his role as Valjean last summer in the concert they did on West End, in person his voice is just so rich and envelopes you. Michael Ball played opposite as Javert and it was INCREDIBLE. All the hairs on my arms stood on end. Love your videos Marc!

I’d love to see more comparison videos like this

Wilkinson definitely has a very unique sound because of his diction. And his diction drives me up the wall. His vowels wander and shift throughout the note. He makes diphthongs and triphthongs out of words that don’t have them. I guess it may be his accent, but there are correct ways of singing words according to IPA. It’s a very pretty sound, and he makes this sound effortless. As to how Alfie can create so much sound with his mouth less open, I think it’s because he’s employing a soprano like dome and float. Tenors usually hook and cover (think Franco Corelli); sopranos dome and float (thing Monserrat Caballe). It’s allowing him to spin the sound through a smaller space. That’s my guess. I really like Alfie Boe. Being classically trained Boe has the ring to his voice that Wilkinson doesn’t have.

Alfie Bowe is able to get that ‘crystal clear tone without opening his mouth much’ because he’s developed a mature head voice. Head voice is something of a lost art because no one teaches it. His tone is absolute perfection as it’s a marriage of athletic breath support and head voice.

@linneacapps4427

Жыл бұрын

You hit the nail on the head! Well put!

Alfie Boe and the 25th Anniversary concert is my favorite Les Mis cast. I've seen it online but their performances are truly sublime.

That's a genuine appraisal of two great singers, giving their own version of a brilliant emotional song. Like you say there are no winners or losers just two great voices.