Michael truly sounds unearthly and supernatural. He sounds like those creepy winds that make those eerie moaning sounds. Truly like a ghost. He gives me chills. No one like him.

I can never decide between Michael Crawford or Ramin Karimloo when it comes to my favourite Phantom. Michael Crawford has that untouchable, from another world demeanor and it creates the perfect scene when it comes to Christine and the Phantom's story, plus he set the bar for all other Phantoms to follow. I think he's exactly what the Phantom was intended to be like. Ramin Karimloo's vocal and acting skills are so passionate and frightening, he makes the Phantom real and there's something beautiful and heart wrenching about his performance. I just can't choose between them. They're both so perfectly cast.

To me, this is THE part of the musical that makes or breaks a Phantom. Michael Crawford is absolutely unbeatable. Not because he originated the role, but because he is a technically perfect singer with impeccable phrasing. When he sings he has a clear, vulnerable angelic tone that can switch to unimaginably powerful and almost deranged in an instant. The only Phantom that comes anywhere close to matching him is Ramin Karimloo.

@holidaysinsweden

7 жыл бұрын

Laura Green What she Said!

@tearoses9940

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I usually judge a Phantom based off of either this scene or the Final Lair sequence, since he goes through a pretty wide range of emotions there, too. MC is definitely my favorite. You phrased it pretty well yourself, so I’m not going to bother restating what makes him the best.

The mature side of me is thinking, "Wow, Such amazing actors, with such great voices! It's amazing how much emotion they put into this!" The less mature side of me is thinking, "Wow! They're all making such silly noises!"

*Audience starts clapping at Micheal Crawford's last note* *Madame Giry* "can't you see the master is at work!"

I love how Michael keeps his cacklethe after the Orchestra stops ❤️

In my opinion, micheal Crawford portrays the books representation of erik’s voice. In the book they describe it as angelic and ghost like (paraphrasing) but I think Ramin truly portrays erik’s tortured soul. He puts so much anger and sadness into his voice. So micheal Crawford is my first place, with ramin as an EXTREMELY close second.

Although I feel that all of these Phantom's bring this song something wonderful, no one seems to affect me in the same way that Michael Crawford does. The fact that he manages to sing it all in a very other worldly falsetto, matched with those heart-wrenching screams just bring tears to my eyes and sends chill down my spine. He keeps it very legato. Almost like you're riding a soft wave, ya know? Also, I've always appreciated how he tends to tone down the vibrato in this role. It makes it seem much more like a spirit, but also very human if that makes any sense (It doesn't).

People forget that Barton was Crawford's understudy and when Crawford was in hospital with a throat infection Barton broke his leg and Crawford had to come back

@navidnamini1169

6 жыл бұрын

kungfukid2191 broke his leg?! During A performance ?

@christinasamuel3947

6 жыл бұрын

good point

@sketchribbon5525

4 жыл бұрын

How did that happen?!

@beneddiected

3 жыл бұрын

Navid Namini I read on operafantomet that it was during a rehearsal. I think it was directly cited from Playbill

@josephcook6442

3 жыл бұрын

Michael came back because he couldn't be replaced

What I enjoy about Ramin is that he does t ornament every note. He let's sweet notes be sweet and stand on their own value. He doesnt need to change what speaks for itself.

As the Phantom, Steve Barton sounds like someone’s trying to shake the life out of him...kind of throws me off. He was fantastic as Raoul though. May he Rest In Peace.

Some Phantoms can't weep.

The problem I have with most of these guys is that they go overboard with the vibrato. I think it kills what could be an angelic fermata. I guess that's why I've always favored Ramin and Michael over most of the Phantoms. Their voices are unearthly.

@TheMsiaddict

8 жыл бұрын

I think you should check the latest London Phantom.

@mjrtaurus2714

8 жыл бұрын

And what would his name be? You've piqued my interest.

@TheMsiaddict

8 жыл бұрын

MJR Taurus​ Ben Forster. Go to this link atruevaljean.tumblr.com/ scroll down and you'll find someone has the links to download act 1 and Act 2. I agree with you that The Phantom shouldn't have the booming sound. His voice should be angelic. I don't think any girl would be seduced by an old man who has the voice like their father. I like to imagine the phantom's voice is like Klaus Meine's voice.

@mjrtaurus2714

8 жыл бұрын

Hmmm... I could picture as a Younger Erik in the Susan Kay novel quite easily, actually.

@TheMsiaddict

8 жыл бұрын

MJR Taurus He is not really young, he is 34.

0:11 Steve Barton 2:38 Ian Jon Bourg 5:15 Earl Carpenter 7:34 Michael Crawford (King!) 10:15 Anthony Crivello 12:15 John Cudia 14:42 Scott Davies 17:09 Ethan Freeman 19:42 Davis Gaines 22:18 Tim Martin Gleason 25:04 Peter Joback 27:33 Ramin Karimloo 29:58 Peter Karrie 32:37 Jeff Keller

I'm so used to hearing Steve Barton as Raoul, and now hearing him as Erik as well makes me have an even bigger appreciation for him :) he was on both sides of Christine love

Leroux fans, here's a penny for your thoughts: What if the line "He was bound to love you when he heard you sing" was actually Erik returning to his third person speech mannerism, and that instead of Raoul, he was referring to himself?

@emilymixay6923

8 жыл бұрын

+MJR Taurus Very interesting. I never thought about it, but it could be a possibility. Although, for this I am pretty sure he was referring to Raoul. :)

@mjrtaurus2714

8 жыл бұрын

I know he is. I'm just letting my geekness show through.

@emilymixay6923

8 жыл бұрын

LOL I like it. Geekiness is good. :)

@mjrtaurus2714

8 жыл бұрын

As my mother always said: "Let your freak flag fly!"

@elliart7432

8 жыл бұрын

+MJR Taurus Oh look..... My feels have been impaled.

I cant deny that there are some actors out their that do a good Phantom, but nothing can beat Crawford, i mean just angelic/mysterious/enthrawlling!

Thank you so much for making these great comparison videos. I'm truly *very* grateful for the chance to hear so many different interpretations of the role. You chose an excellent variety of selections; we get to hear the Phantom being hypnotic, controlling, angry, vengeful, loving, grieving, broken -- I love hearing how each actor portrays both the Phantom's "mask" and his inner self. Thanks to these videos, I now have about ten "dream cast" Phantoms!

there will not,and will never be a better Phantom (especially in this song) than Crawford! gets me every time!

@alexanderbaumann2498

7 жыл бұрын

My name is Alexander Baumann only one is incredible voice likes Christine daae

I can't decide between Ramin, Ramin or Ramin :/

@issyismusic

7 жыл бұрын

JACK_ MTG how about Ramin.

@russellsmith2245

7 жыл бұрын

Maybe Ramin!

@Reagan1984

6 жыл бұрын

Ramin is also a possibility!

@altf1279

5 жыл бұрын

JACK_ MTG You know, Ramin is also a valid option.

Mike Crawford was from his Last Performance of Phantom in LA!!!!!!! The Very LAST Performance of Mike as The Angel of Music!!!!!!!

omg guys look Michael Crawford and ramin karloo

Steve Bartons rendition was heartbreaking. One of the greatest phantoms in history

How I wish there was a video of john Owen Jones singing the reprise from his show with Katie Hall. It's the most beautiful and heartbreaking version I've ever heard.

Ramin karimloo !!!!

I'm sorry but, I started laughing when Peter Karrie started crying "Christine", that was just too funny!!!

@lourdesdiaz4557

7 жыл бұрын

Same, i sorry

@xxwolfyxx1448

3 жыл бұрын

ChristiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeEEEEEEE sorry just had to 4 years later

@shayvogler

3 жыл бұрын

@@xxwolfyxx1448 🤣🤣

@xxwolfyxx1448

3 жыл бұрын

@@shayvogler how ya doing 4 years later??😂😂

@shayvogler

3 жыл бұрын

@@xxwolfyxx1448 good. How are you 4 years later

peter's up there in age along with MC. I give both of them credit for doing such an awesome job!

earl carpenter by far so much passion in his voice!!!

John Cudia would have to be my favorite. You can just hear so much of the Phantom's pain in his voice!

Michael Crawford is my favorite

Ramin Karimloo!!!!

Nobody: Peter Karrie: CHRISTINREEEEEEEEEEEE

Amo essa parte. Meus favoritos deste vídeo são Steve Barton, Michael Crawford, John Cudia, Davis Gaines.

oooooh I loveeeeeee the evil laughs ahahahahahaha

This is awesome! But guys you should go and listen the version of Ben Lewis! His Reprise just cuts through your soul and makes you feel desperately heartbroken...

@christinasamuel3947

6 жыл бұрын

good point actually had the chance to see Ben Live last year

@manchestertart5614

5 жыл бұрын

I saw Ben Lewis last February (2018) and he was heartbreakingly wonderful ❤️😍❤️

I wonder why "Go" was the chosen word to have the Chandelier fall to. it's a wee bit out of place, says I. Why not just an anguished/angry cry.

@julianrobbel4118

5 жыл бұрын

I think in Germany they have a better word: the Phantom screams „Hinab!“ what means „Down!“

@tearoses9940

4 жыл бұрын

I always wondered that, too. Is he commanding the chandelier to go? Is he breaking the fourth wall and telling the audience to go because it’s intermission? Although I do like Caitlin Palmer’s interpretation here, that he’s telling everyone to get out of his theater so he can be alone.

@issyismusic

4 жыл бұрын

@@caitlinpalmer9066 hahaha in opera voice though 😎 this is a good point though

@issyismusic

4 жыл бұрын

@@julianrobbel4118 much better.

@MrNoUsername

4 жыл бұрын

Also, it's supposed to be HIM sending the chandelier down himself unless he's working with someone else and he's giving the command to let the chandelier go

Crawford and Cudia are amazing.

Ramin Karimloo, Earl Carpenter, Scott Davies and John Cudia

Thank you so much for putting this together!

Did a blind listen and here are my scores 10-Michael Crawford (Ok, I wont like, I recognized him, but he remains King) 9.5 Anthony Crivello 9 Peter Karrie 8.5 Peter Jöback 8.5 Ethan Freeman 8 John Cudia 8 Davis Gaines 8 Tim Martin Gleason 8 Ramin Karimloo 8 Steve Barton 8 Jeff Keller 7.5 Scott Davies 7.5 Earl Carpenter 6 Ian Jon Bourg

Ramin

You make the best comparison videos! Thank you :)

Ramin Karimloo is too good for this earth

best part of the whole show in my opinion

I love evil laughes!

The clip with Ramin should have been from the RAH

Scott Davies is probably my favorite.

Michael Crawford

Crawfooorrrrddddd

jeff keller is my vocal teacher!!!! he’s so talented

Ramin and Michael 😘😍

Earl Carpenter captures the Phantom's character in my opinion

Michael

However Here they are in order: 1.Ian Jon Bourg 2. Ramin Karimloo 3. Michael Crawford 4. Tim Martin Gleason

steve bartons crying makes me so sad, must be a good actor. if only he had ramins singing

@mickenziedavis3068

4 жыл бұрын

He played Raoul in the original London cast.

It was Ian Jon Bourg hands down. The sorrow in his voice was epic.

You should have Hugh Panaro on here.

@alexanderbaumann2498

7 жыл бұрын

Hey!! Very so much your voice. And great singer of phantom

Peter Karrie! Sounds so scary! :D

5.Peter Karrie 6.Jeff Keller 7.Steve Barton 8.Earl Carpenter 9.Anthony Crivello 10. John Cuida 11. Scott Davis 12. Ethan Freeman 13. Peter Joback

33:36 thank you for ruining the scene with that wailing

Thank you for not putting Gerard Butler's version

If these phantoms keep weeping no while Christine and Raoul are singing I'm going to break down please help

And huge panaro was a raoul also. Most of the raouls became phantoms surprisingly enough.

crawford. *sigh Karimloo's good at young Phantom tantrum. His 25th Anniversary performance blew shit out the water. Karrie, I've never liked. Everyone else are their own respectable Phantomimes. :)

Ramin

Favorite song in POTO

Earl, Crawford, Ramin or Peter Karrie

I like Ramins portrayal of the phantom, but I sometimes feel like it’s overrated a tad bit. I prefer a more operatic tenor to portray the phantom, like john Cudia. My favorites are Crawford, Barton, Cudia, and Ramin

Anthony Crivello and Michael Crawford

sb played raoul in the Crawford version also

@TheLKMproject

9 жыл бұрын

John Owen Jones

5. Peter Karrie

ramin is pitch perfect.

I think there's something wrong here.. Where is Anthony Worlow? I mean, any chart will be incomplete without him :-)

are the best ever

peter Karrie is the best!

scott xo

aw why didn't you include Colm Wilkinson? He's one of the most famous and notable Phantoms

Ramin Ramin ramiiiiin

Luv Tony Crivello

who played him in the Cameron Mackintosh live tour?

@PhntmShdw98

9 жыл бұрын

In the U.S. the most recent two that I can recall are Cooper Grodin and currently Chris Mann

Howard McGillin, John Cudia, Hugh Panaro. In no particular order.

No doubt Michael crawford and Peter joback

love steve bartons laugh... a little too much vibrato from john cudia, peter joback seems a little too nasal, peter karrie sounds the most heart broken when he calls christine, ones i like: davis gaines, anthony crivello,...faves: not on the list but Chris Mann, and Ramin Karimloo...and i sadly cant remember who i saw in london back in 2010

Alright let's do this in order then: all of these will be written from beginning to end of the song. My biases: I listen to Ramin a lot. I know Michael originated it but his voice is no my favorite and I've heard slivers 1. Not bad its very ghostly. The sadness is there too. Lacking in power. The audible crying is a bit tacky. 2. I'm feeling nothing from this. Very whiny. The audio is bad which is unfortunate since a lot of the nuances are lost. Interesting choice to speak over the song to build to the climax but it spits on the purpose of musical numbers. 3. Not bad. Really acting the hell out of it. Climax is bad. Hes going for a take but the execution is rough. Very unfortunate. 4. WOW... Crawford really does go for the ghostly spoopy affect. I dont the inflection but everything about it I can appreciate and respect on a technical level. It's very balanced which is shocking. I still dont like the interruptions but it is what it is. It speaks volumes when hes crystal clear when the audio is bad. ALSO THAT CACKLE IS OBJECTIVELY AMAZING. SUCH SKILL. However it is the best example this far of talking over the song. 5. NOT BAD. I like the falsetto it's really nice. Loses a lot of power in the climax. 6. I really like Cudia but it does sound a lot like Ramin. His phrasing is different and different is fine. I like the whispering. The crying is not amazing but I understand the reason it's there. 7. Slower start. It has elements I like but the falsetto sounds over acted. I feel the emotion from the audible crying. Power level is good in the climax. The orchestra dies a massive disservice. 8. Voice is fine. Nothing special. I think a lot of these performances lack a balance. Climax is not in sync. Very bad. 9. Lot of vibrato. The baritone is there and that's good. But everything is very dramatic. It's not a reflective moment here. It's a moment of dread and anger. 10. It's a take that is very niche. It's for those who like quietmoment loud moment quiet moment loud moment quiet moment. Because of this theres no build up. 11. It's fine. It's very Crawford but like all others, nonone can match Crawford and that's not because he was the first nor are they not trying. It's because the technical skill to pull off that is beyond my no anyones comprehension. 12. Ramin has the BEST beginning. Very quiet intro very soft. Good use of flat tones, they're beautiful. The swell and crescendo is amazing. It doesnt over do it. It's actually a very reserved performance and that aids the build up to the climax. Great power at the end. No other performance seems to execute vocal fries as well as he does and the scream is great. 13. It's good. Nothing special. Slow. Not a fan. 14. It's actually a very sweet performance but the horns help a lot. At the same time it's too weak. What makes Erik entrancing is his domineering personality. Theres the heart but not the fear. So overall Ramin and Crawford are remembered for giving very different performances.

wordd

Howard McGillin. Always

Peter Joback or Ramin Karimloo? That IS the question!

@bawoman

4 жыл бұрын

The answer is Michael Crawford

Anthony Crivello was nice except he took a thousand breaths to end a phrase which is a big music making no no.

Ramin Karimloo.. Best actor to portray the phantom and has the best voice. If you watch him preform this song on youtube you can literally hear the pain in his voice and see the betrayal in his eyes.

@russellsmith2245

7 жыл бұрын

DEAN KEATON Ramin was crying durning 25 anniversary and it broke my heart Ramin is the best Phantom!

on this list crawford, crivello, carpenter, karimloo, karrie and keller are very good but my all time fave is gerard butler. is he not on here because its a film not a play?

@josegenuino5706

10 жыл бұрын

because of his shitty singing

@marcosdiogenes9380

10 жыл бұрын

He was a great Phantom as an actor, But his voice didn't fit the character. It's not that he's terrible, but the phantom is supposed to have a incredibly beautiful voice. Also, he wasn't disfigured enough to be considered scary. btw that's just my opinion.

@blanchybaby

10 жыл бұрын

Marcos Diógenes i agree he was a great phantom but to me the voice was perfect. :)

@krystalharwood4349

9 жыл бұрын

harlyn blanchflower yes that's why

@dragonfly244

9 жыл бұрын

you're kidding, right? That's like saying Russell Crowe is the best Javert.

I think every Phantom did a great Job. But I cant forgive Michael Crawford, what he doing with the Musical Dance of the Vampires. Originally Steve Barton shud play the Count Krolock At broadway, but he died before he coud Play the role. And Michael change the Play so much, that DotV was a Fail.

where's Gerry?

@mjrtaurus2714

9 жыл бұрын

Tiffany Stewart Many of us old school broadway phans do not speak of him.

@gabbygabayno3673

8 жыл бұрын

+MJR Taurus Yes. I really want to erase the memory of ever hearing or watching that movie. Needed to watch the original to remove it from my mind.

@tiffanystewart9265

8 жыл бұрын

+MJR Taurus fuck u!

Omg ian joun burg can talk in english

Uhm where's John Owen Joan's??!??!?

@krystalharwood4349

9 жыл бұрын

john owen JONES

@mickenziedavis3068

4 жыл бұрын

There’s a part 2

All the Phantoms that do the weird, pained pterodactyl screeching during the part where Christine and Raoul are singing just doesn't do it for me. It takes me out of the moment. The sad, quite weeping or complete silence of some of them is what really works well. It makes the flip from sadness to rage more believable and powerful. Like what Ramin, Earl, and Anthony do. The screeching is just silly and strange. And when they scream Christine's name doesn't make me sad either. Quietly boys, give me real sadness and pain. Don't get me wrong, all these men are amazing at what they do, I just prefer one style to another.

Anyone else cry Ramin is the best all the way!!

1 Ramin Karimloo 2 Steve Barton 3 Scott Davies 4 John Cudia 5 the others..

Man Earl was pretty bad. Couldn't even hit the high note.

@tiffanystewart9265

9 жыл бұрын

Ninjohnson65 my prob with him in this is he didn't sob!

@misanthropicanthropologist7101

5 жыл бұрын

In that situation, I think it made his performance better. He was so utterly destroyed that his voice control just... went.

Peter Jöback sounds like a little boy.

@Pannkakaize

3 жыл бұрын

You do?

Steve barton: sounds like a cry baby, Ian Jon bourg: sounds WIERD Earl carpenter: good Michael Crawford: no words to describe how fantastic he is Anthony cribello: good John crugia: eh Scott Davies: really good Ethan freeman: really good David Gaines: bad Tim Marlin Gleason: not bad Peter jöback : great Ramon karmiloo: bad Peter Kerrie: bad Jeff Keller: bad Best: Michael Crawford

@KatieT97

8 жыл бұрын

Ramin is bad but Peter is great?! WHAT

@nolandavis1129

8 жыл бұрын

+Katie Tucker well this just my personal opinion

@nolandavis1129

8 жыл бұрын

+Katie Tucker I just don't think Ramon is as good as Michael Crawford

@cobb5223

8 жыл бұрын

+nolan davisn In my opinion I can't stand Michael Crawford's voice, Colm Wilkerson and Ramin are ❤

@TristanJHorta

7 жыл бұрын

nolan davisn I think you confused opinion with "original cast bias"