AlW Cast Albums

Where would the Phantom be without music? The albums listed here show many different views of the Phantom, as well as showcasing the talents of many of the men who have played the Phantom.

RATING SYSTEM

The rating system I use is my own and based on four criteria.

Sound quality, which includes the clarity of the recording and how well the performers and instruments are blended;

total playing time, this includes both specific track and overall lengths of the recordings;

musical performance, which covers both the musicians and singers;

overall experience, how well the album does in the three prior categories altogether.

Albums are awarded a possible 2 points in each category, and perfect albums will score a total of eight points.

ALW Cast Albums

The Phantom of the Opera Polydor, 1987.
The original London cast recording of the Webber musical features Michael Crawford in the title role. The remastered two CD set has a new lyrics booklet. 2 remastered CDs, over 90 minutes.

Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 8

Highlights From The Phantom of the Opera: Canadian cast PolyGram, 1990.
The Canadian Cast Highlight album featuring Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom is a good buy for any former Pantages Theater attendess. The album contains 17 tracks, and Wilkinson performs on eight of them, giving the album a large favor from the Phantom’s followers. The album has the overall feel or a live recording, and the included lyrics booklet has pictures of both the theater and cast. CD, 69 minutes.

Sound quality: 1.5
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 7.5

The Phantom of the Opera: Original Dutch Cast Recording Polydor, 1993.
This highlights album features Henk Poort as the Phantom and Joke de Kruijif as Christine. Included are such favorites as Het Spook Van De Opera (The Phantom of the Opera) and Melodieën Van De Nacht (Music of the Night). CD, 58 minutes.

Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 8

El Fantasma de la Opera: Mexico City Columbia, 2000.
This recording features highlights of the Mexico City, Mexico production in which the cast does a spectacular job. Juan Navarro has an excellent range and his emotional portrayal of the Phantom is not to be missed. Irasema Terrazas pairs with him as Christine, and takes her role to a whole new level. CD, 70 minutes.

Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 8

Das Phantom der Oper: Hamburg Polydor, 2000.
This CD comes from the Hamburg production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and features Peter Hofmann as the Phantom and Anna Marie Kaufmann as Christine. Hofmann does a splendid job in the role of the Phantom, offering the listener a hint of a man angry and dangerous towards his foes, yet more in love with Christine than any other man could ever hope to be. The CD has 13 different tracks, some combining more than one song. Some of the songs included are Denk An Miich (Think of Me), Engel Der Muse (Angel of Music), and Maskenball (Masquerade). CD, 60 minutes.

Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 1.9
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 1.9
TOTAL: 7.8

Das Phantom der Oper: Vienna Cast Polydor, 1989.
This two-disc set features Alexander Goebel as the Phantom and Luzia Nistler in the role of Christine. The 32 tracks of the CD let both shine in their respective roles, as well as showing off a handsome supporting cast. You get a true feeling of theatre and the grand passions Webber must have intended for the roles. Goebel is much more romantic, manly, and seductive in the role than other Phantoms, and Nistler brings a freshness to the role that delights the listener. 2 CD set, 106 minutes.
Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 8

The Phantom of the Opera—The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Special Edition Sony Music, 2004. This gem has two CDs packing in two hours of music and cues. The cast is superb, but the film is a separate entity from the stage version. The soundtrack sounds strangely American with rolling thunder and a more sophisticated and lush sound. The full color booklet is a nice touch, so was the free poster for preorders on Sony.com The only thing listeners will miss is a lyrics guide since the changes in lyrics can be a bit much. 2 CDs, 120 minutes.

Sound quality: 2
Total playing time: 2
Musical performance: 2
Overall experience: 2
TOTAL: 8

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