Michael is unique. He loves the emotion in singing and emphathises every word. Watch him nod or make a gesture when Alfie sings, especially in "The circle of life.."
belinda. thank you so much for yur comment. I discovered Michael late in life and i have found i enjoy his middle years best. but then i enjoyed my middle years best so we cant judge by that. im just glad i found him, I live in SF and we had Tony Bennett as our national treasure. terry browning
I have watched a lot of this song, and no one comes close and doubt anyone will. This is not an insult. The person, the way it was done, everything is just where it should be. This truelly was the dream cast. No other redition of this show kept up even if they gave their best. By now I am not talking about Michael Ball alone. You will not see a better Les Mis in Hollywood or on stage.
I interviewed Michael Ball back in 2014 and he told a story about this song. Right after the 4-hour long preview of Les Miz in 1985, the creative team was considering to cut some songs. "Empty Chairs" was one of the songs planned to be removed. Michael heard about it and rushed to find Cameron, told him that he would quit for good if this song was cut. It was the only solo of Marius and he didn't want to lose this opportunity of performing. They finally kept the song.
I have listened to many Tenors sing this beautiful evocative song, and, I have chosen , to my surprise, Michael Ball, (Not being sarcastic, but being trained as a teenager, for Opera , I had to learn about breath control, as suffered with slight Asthma) I am not really into the Theatre Shows, as, many Singers rather shout their notes, not all of course, but, as listened carefully, I began to enjoy his interpretation of the immediate Sadness of the words he was singing, he really seems to understand about the utter sadness and distress had caused this Revolutionist to cry about his many dead friends he knew and loved in this amazing Show. Thank you Michael, you drew me to tears, maybe as Russia and Ukraine at a dreadful war with each other, and, there must be many Cafe,s and Bars in both Countries, going through the same devastation of a cruel and barbaric war.v
@@curly208 not really, people just like how he brought a different feeling to the song, he did a good job considering he had michael ball to live up to.
Marten Dekker Jonathan is amazing and I listen to him frequently. I don't think he could act the part as well as sing it, but off stage the two men remind me of each other. Both have struggled. Michael had to give up the role because of panic attacks. Jonathan has certainly struggled. Both give every indication of being very grounded men who haven't let success change who they are.
When he sings the "Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me, what your sacrifice was for!" and they all walked off again almost as if they are disappointed in him for saying that they died in vain. I love that subtle yet significant part, wish they would've done that in the movies somehow.
That was the point of the song, as was mentioned here. They DID die in vain. So he was crying in utter heartache, thinking he lost all of his friends and nothing changed, nothing was gained from their sacrifice, there was no way to extract any kind of consolation from all that massacre.
I think that was more the fact that they were dead, and though while he sang for them with such passion, their voices and faces lived on, when the song ended they faded back into the depths of his heart and mind, covered in grief.
Everything about his delivery works. The clarity of speech, volume, crescendo, pace, timing, timbre, deep emotion and that incredible vocal range. A masterclass.
This is possibly the most heartbreaking theatrical song ever written It leaps from the stage and Translates perfectly exposing the tragic nostalgia life eventually becomes, unspoken by all of us but part of us stronger as the years pass
I agree I saw Les Mis Twice in the mid 1980's , and "bring him home" was my fav song for many years. Then I got older and at times like Christmas I think of the empty chairs at empty tables
The most haunting song ever in all the musicals, especially with this arrangement with all of the fallen students standing behind him in the shadow. That is just even more eerie coupled with the lyrics "phantom faces at the window..." Michael Ball is by far still the best Marius and sings this song the best.
I use this performance to teach my clarinet students about release/tension/climax in a piece of music; how to shape a piece dynamically for the maximum emotional pay dirt.
Not as long as you brother but since bagdad 2007 of 3 friends to joine uop together on the buddy system after the tower hit i am the only one who amde it back with a jacked up back and right side of my body.
Michael will always be my Marius! I watched it in Dec 1989 whilst 8months pregnant, and she had never moved so much inside me before, I thought I was going to go into Labour in the stalls! Colm Wilkinson was an absolute treat to see then too. Ive loved it ever since ❤❤❤
On my 16th birthday I was lucky enough to have been taken to the debut of Les Miserables in London where I fell in love with the magic of musical theatre. I will never forget the whole score sung by such amazing artists but especially Michael Ball's performances, that will always transport me to that wonderful night where I had my whole future ahead of me! Such wonderful memories !!
He is so good. This performance is a great example of how to use your voice to tell a story, he finds every nuance in the music. Michael takes us all on a journey. I've never seen any performer manage to hit the note on the second "my friends" with the same power. Maybe it has something to do with Michael being a lyrical high baritone and most singers who sing this being tenors. But those notes bust out of him like a clap of thunder. As they do during Red and Black. He is untrained too, so this is all natural talent and instinct. The GOAT Marius.
There is no way to be a broadway singer and be "untrained." You work with countless professional musicians and are being directed constantly in how to perform. I am not a broadway singer but even in community theater you receive regular instruction in how to sing, act, dance, etc. I feel like this whole thing of professional singers who just don't take one on one private lessons within a renowned coach or whatever they're implying by saying that they are "untrained" is ridiculous. There is just no way to get to that level without receiving ongoing feedback from other professionals on how to improve your craft which is the very essence of training. What mainly frustrates me about this whole thing is that it really only serves to discourage people by believing that they are somehow inferior because of x y or z singer claiming that they are inherently gifted (I'm not implying that Mr. Ball is doing this overtly as I do not have knowledge of the context you are referring to around him identifying as "untrained") when the reality is that we all need constant support, training and experience to grow at anything.
@venusreborn4347 So you don't know the context or Michael's background but still managed to write chapter and verse on his history? Les Miserables was only his second ever show, the first being a short stint in Pirates of Penzance straight from Drama School. At drama school, he studied acting, not musical theatre. His only prior experience of singing was busking. So that voice you hear on the Orginal London Cast recording? Was very much untrained. You might consider receiving "notes" during rehearsal training for an intensive career in musical theatre, it's not. Most people to perform these songs night after night for years on end require a hell of a lot more than notes and advice. But some singers, like Michael, are just preternaturally gifted. Michael did have singing lessons later in life when he took on a role that required him to sing tenor, so no he's not arrogant enough to think he can just wing it. But at the time of this performance? He hadn't had what any reasonable person would call training.
I don't think he is untrained. As a beginner lyrics Baritone myself, he easily transforms from chest and head voice, controls his vibrato perfectly, changes the pronunciation slightly so he is on tone, and uses breathing as a tool for expression (listening to how he breaths in "Don't ask me"). These are not simply done, especially in English since it is so much harder to sing than in Italian....
I was re-watching 25th Anniversary but couldn't help but paused the video during Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, then get back to the 10th for some proper performance by Michael Ball. Cast of 25th are extraordinary except the Marius
@@Peconi111 Cam Mackintosh: the best actor for Marius would be Hadley- *glitch* Nick Jonas. Later that day Hadley Fraser: So, Cameron, am I playing Marius? Cameron: No, Marius should be Nick Jonas. Hadley: WHAT? Then who am I playing? Cameron: Grantaire. Hadley: 🥺😢😤😠😡🤬🤯😳🤔.
I lost 2 of my friends in Highschool to suicide. When I think of them and I see our empty booth at Legends across the street from our school; I think of this song. The pain never goes entirely.
i nearly lost me to suicide two times. sometimes i wonder why people saved me and sometimes i wonder if perhaps the third time will do it. all the therapy in the world will not help if a person can find no reason for their existance.
This is the best rendition of this song I've ever heard. Outstanding! This song is so sad. My son lost so many of his troop during Iraq. And many who did survive,,, are taking their lives. He is now volunteering to help Veterans to stop Veteran Suicide. So many go through 'Survivor Guilt'. I can't imagine what that is like. Thank You for such a beautiful performance.
The way he sung "Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me, what your sacrifice was for..." Is completely haunting. Legitimately sends shivers down my spine.
There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Empty chairs at empty tables Now my friends are dead and gone. Here they talked of revolution. Here it was they lit the flame. Here they sang about `tomorrow' And tomorrow never came. From the table in the corner They could see a world reborn And they rose with voices ringing I can hear them now! The very words that they had sung Became their last communion On the lonely barricade at dawn. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me (The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear) That I live and you are gone. There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Phantom faces at the window. Phantom shadows on the floor. Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friends will meet no more. (The ghosts fade away) Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me What your sacrifice was for Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friend will sing no more.
The original and best Marius . This is now my favourite song from this great musical. It used to be "bring him home" but I have got older and at times like Christmas I look at the empty chairs at empty tables.
As a Les Miz tragic I have watched many wonderful performances of this song but no one has ever made me feel Marius's pain as much as Michael does. His rendition of this beautiful but heartbreaking song is just perfect
I was fortunate to see Les Miz 3 times live in London with the original cast .. unbelievable and simply brilliant.. this song was and is sooooo moving and Michael Ball was and is simply fantastic 😍
This song has been playing in my soul when I know the last person to have laughs with will be leaving soon. A room empty of past jokes and laughs "oh my friends my friends don't ask me..." .
suzanne. i also love MB but lately i have been more interested in your posts. you are truly an MB fan but sometimes I wonder if you are going a little over the top.
I weep when I hear Michael Ball sing this song. It's SO emotional and beautiful. Then I watched that Jonas brother sing it on the 25th and I wept for an entirely different reason...
people blame the fact that the jonas brother who attempted this was so young. Michael was younger. I live in SF and we have lost our national treasure Tony Bennett but the UK was kind enough to lend us Michael. Thank you.
Jaren geleden heb ik deze uitvoering op You Tube gezien. De beste Marius tot nu toe. Ik krijg elke keer weer kippenvel van deze uitvoering: zo veel emotie legt hij er in. Hij is de reden dat we Les Miserables al zo'n 8x gezien hebben in Londen 😊. Ook een paar keer in Nederland gezien: in juli gaan we naar de nieuwste uitvoering in Carré. Maar Londen is mijn favoriet ❤ om deze musical te zien.
Lo más bonito, emocionante y verdadero que he visto en un teatro. Y puedo asegurar que nunca veré nada mejor en mi vida. Lo guardaré siempre como una joya, en lo más profundo de mi corazón. 🙌💜❤️
What a moving rendition of this very sad and powerful song, sung with feeling and such devotion by Michael. The best version I've heard of this "bring a tear to your eye" passionate song. Thank you Michael for your "both your talent" and the feeling of deep deep passion you put into all your songs.
Back in the early 90s I was a printers apprentice which had old letterpress and vertical topcutters.This song and Spanish caravan by the doors rang through my head for a year or two.
This is such a hauntingly beautiful song...full of so much heartache and guilt. I agree with one of the commenters below, I wish they had the "phantom faces" in the movie, it would've made it more emotional.
never having seen this before I cannot describe how much I am moved by this performance by Michael Ball its hard to find words awe inspiring does not to justice to this
I guess something that seems really obvious but is never talked about is how this song perfectly encapsulates what's known as Survivor's guilt (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_guilt). "Oh my friends, my friends forgive me... That I live and you are gone" It also subtly alludes to the PTSD which Marius would have probably suffered from all his life. Such rich story telling in only a three minute song. Probably why Les Mis is such a classic.
Soars above the tepid Nick Jonas in the 25th magnificent rendention at the OZ. Jonas was a boy among men, but not to detract from Michael Ball's masterpiece here. Magnificent!
A song for all friends in nations at war and war zones today -- especially the unwilling beaten, broken, and dead young men of Gaza & Israel, Ukraine & Russia, Sudan & Myanmar ... and each and every one of their friends who still live today. To my friends the dead and dying and now extinct trees and plants, lizards and mammals, cetaceans and fish who one by one, abandon this floating blue ship of life floating in vast deep darkness, never to rustle, whistle, cry or signal a song again. Today i mourn not only empty chairs & tables -- but empty, and emptying, battlefields and deserts, rivers, forests, prairies, valleys, and mountains ...
he set the bar so high that he made it impossible for anyone else to warrant honorable mention. he stands alone. he owns this.
Michael is unique. He loves the emotion in singing and emphathises every word. Watch him nod or make a gesture when Alfie sings, especially in "The circle of life.."
@@belindasmith7096
@@belindasmith7096
belinda.
thank you so much for yur comment. I discovered Michael late in life and i have found i enjoy his middle years best. but then i enjoyed my middle years best so we cant judge by that. im just glad i found him, I live in SF and we had Tony Bennett as our national treasure.
terry browning
I have watched a lot of this song, and no one comes close and doubt anyone will. This is not an insult. The person, the way it was done, everything is just where it should be. This truelly was the dream cast. No other redition of this show kept up even if they gave their best. By now I am not talking about Michael Ball alone. You will not see a better Les Mis in Hollywood or on stage.
I interviewed Michael Ball back in 2014 and he told a story about this song. Right after the 4-hour long preview of Les Miz in 1985, the creative team was considering to cut some songs. "Empty Chairs" was one of the songs planned to be removed. Michael heard about it and rushed to find Cameron, told him that he would quit for good if this song was cut. It was the only solo of Marius and he didn't want to lose this opportunity of performing. They finally kept the song.
Really love this song👏👏👏👏💕💕💕👏👏👏👏
Is that the one for The Complete Symphonic Recording of Les Miserables, which is the best?
we thank the dude
How did you happen to interview him? In what role?
I have listened to many Tenors sing this beautiful evocative song, and, I have chosen , to my surprise, Michael Ball, (Not being sarcastic, but being trained as a teenager, for Opera , I had to learn about breath control, as suffered with slight Asthma) I am not really into the Theatre Shows, as, many Singers rather shout their notes, not all of course, but, as listened carefully, I began to enjoy his interpretation of the immediate Sadness of the words he was singing, he really seems to understand about the utter sadness and distress had caused this Revolutionist to cry about his many dead friends he knew and loved in this amazing Show. Thank you Michael, you drew me to tears, maybe as Russia and Ukraine at a dreadful war with each other, and, there must be many Cafe,s and Bars in both Countries, going through the same devastation of a cruel and barbaric war.v
Michael was the first and best Marius. No one has come close to his emotional "storytelling" in this role. He is an amazing singer!
The man of la mancha
I think Eddie Redmayne did very well also Eddie had more of the sadness but I like them both (sorry English is not my fist language)
I agree! He knocks it out of the park. Eddie Redmayne...no. He's SO overrated.
@@curly208 not really, people just like how he brought a different feeling to the song, he did a good job considering he had michael ball to live up to.
Marten Dekker Jonathan is amazing and I listen to him frequently. I don't think he could act the part as well as sing it, but off stage the two men remind me of each other. Both have struggled. Michael had to give up the role because of panic attacks. Jonathan has certainly struggled. Both give every indication of being very grounded men who haven't let success change who they are.
There will be other Mariuses but there will only ever be one Michael Ball.
When he sings the "Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me, what your sacrifice was for!" and they all walked off again almost as if they are disappointed in him for saying that they died in vain. I love that subtle yet significant part, wish they would've done that in the movies somehow.
They did die in vain. If it weren't for Victor Hugo's book, they wouldn't even be remembered.
That was the point of the song, as was mentioned here. They DID die in vain. So he was crying in utter heartache, thinking he lost all of his friends and nothing changed, nothing was gained from their sacrifice, there was no way to extract any kind of consolation from all that massacre.
I think that was more the fact that they were dead, and though while he sang for them with such passion, their voices and faces lived on, when the song ended they faded back into the depths of his heart and mind, covered in grief.
no no no. he sings as if he were disappointed in himself. he feels he should have died with them.
They're ghosts.
Everything about his delivery works. The clarity of speech, volume, crescendo, pace, timing, timbre, deep emotion and that incredible vocal range. A masterclass.
No one will be a better Marius as Michael just as no one will ever come close to Philip Quast as Javert
Totally agree.
Both consummate performers who made these roles their own.
Perfection!
Jeff Leyton as Val Jean, untouchable. Alfie Bo not fit to lace his boots.
Absolutely, no contest
This is possibly the most heartbreaking theatrical song ever written
It leaps from the stage and Translates perfectly exposing the tragic nostalgia life eventually becomes, unspoken by all of us but part of us stronger as the years pass
Lots of emotional songs in Ies miserables Bring him home, On my own, I Dreamed a dream. Definitely the most emotive one though
Love the musicals and this is my favourite song and Les Miserables is loaded with fabulous music
I agree - it beats any other musical song hands down. Heart wrenching song
I agree I saw Les Mis Twice in the mid 1980's , and "bring him home" was my fav song for many years.
Then I got older and at times like Christmas I think of the empty chairs at empty tables
@@keithbate9405
Precisely. As time goes by this becomes more and more of a masterpiece.
The 10th anniversary cast recording is the only Les Mis soundtrack I listen to. They are all truly extraordinary!
Is there another one to listen to? CAUSE I SURE NEVER HEARD IT!!!!
YESSSSSSSSS
Same here.
Not other version comes anywhere close to the 10th anniversary masterpiece!!
Yess
The most haunting song ever in all the musicals, especially with this arrangement with all of the fallen students standing behind him in the shadow. That is just even more eerie coupled with the lyrics "phantom faces at the window..." Michael Ball is by far still the best Marius and sings this song the best.
I use this performance to teach my clarinet students about release/tension/climax in a piece of music; how to shape a piece dynamically for the maximum emotional pay dirt.
Definitely does that. Amazing
He's the original and the best Marius.
nearly 60 years later...this is my every day legacy of....Viet Nam.
Not as long as you brother but since bagdad 2007 of 3 friends to joine uop together on the buddy system after the tower hit i am the only one who amde it back with a jacked up back and right side of my body.
@@MrJeffreyrichards They will be with you always and for ever
Michael will always be my Marius! I watched it in Dec 1989 whilst 8months pregnant, and she had never moved so much inside me before, I thought I was going to go into Labour in the stalls! Colm Wilkinson was an absolute treat to see then too. Ive loved it ever since ❤❤❤
On my 16th birthday I was lucky enough to have been taken to the debut of Les Miserables in London where I fell in love with the magic of musical theatre. I will never forget the whole score sung by such amazing artists but especially Michael Ball's performances, that will always transport me to that wonderful night where I had my whole future ahead of me! Such wonderful memories !!
He is so good. This performance is a great example of how to use your voice to tell a story, he finds every nuance in the music. Michael takes us all on a journey.
I've never seen any performer manage to hit the note on the second "my friends" with the same power. Maybe it has something to do with Michael being a lyrical high baritone and most singers who sing this being tenors. But those notes bust out of him like a clap of thunder. As they do during Red and Black.
He is untrained too, so this is all natural talent and instinct. The GOAT Marius.
Untrained?! That is so ruuuuuude 😭 how dare he be that talented
There is no way to be a broadway singer and be "untrained." You work with countless professional musicians and are being directed constantly in how to perform. I am not a broadway singer but even in community theater you receive regular instruction in how to sing, act, dance, etc. I feel like this whole thing of professional singers who just don't take one on one private lessons within a renowned coach or whatever they're implying by saying that they are "untrained" is ridiculous.
There is just no way to get to that level without receiving ongoing feedback from other professionals on how to improve your craft which is the very essence of training. What mainly frustrates me about this whole thing is that it really only serves to discourage people by believing that they are somehow inferior because of x y or z singer claiming that they are inherently gifted (I'm not implying that Mr. Ball is doing this overtly as I do not have knowledge of the context you are referring to around him identifying as "untrained") when the reality is that we all need constant support, training and experience to grow at anything.
That aside though I appreciate the rest of your comment and did not know he was a lyric baritone. That is very compelling.
@venusreborn4347 So you don't know the context or Michael's background but still managed to write chapter and verse on his history?
Les Miserables was only his second ever show, the first being a short stint in Pirates of Penzance straight from Drama School. At drama school, he studied acting, not musical theatre. His only prior experience of singing was busking. So that voice you hear on the Orginal London Cast recording? Was very much untrained.
You might consider receiving "notes" during rehearsal training for an intensive career in musical theatre, it's not. Most people to perform these songs night after night for years on end require a hell of a lot more than notes and advice. But some singers, like Michael, are just preternaturally gifted. Michael did have singing lessons later in life when he took on a role that required him to sing tenor, so no he's not arrogant enough to think he can just wing it. But at the time of this performance? He hadn't had what any reasonable person would call training.
I don't think he is untrained. As a beginner lyrics Baritone myself, he easily transforms from chest and head voice, controls his vibrato perfectly, changes the pronunciation slightly so he is on tone, and uses breathing as a tool for expression (listening to how he breaths in "Don't ask me"). These are not simply done, especially in English since it is so much harder to sing than in Italian....
I absolutely love Michael Ball!! He was the absolute best and only Marius who played that part with so much passion and emotion.
MIchael Ball’s Marius continues to be the best !
Not only is he my favourite Marius, but he's also my favourite Javert! He really has a wide range of abilities.
@@thetempest9330 I have never heard him as Javert..but this performance is the standard to which i hold ALL performances of this song
My mother loved this.
She is gone and now I have the indescribable pain that GOES ON AND ON 😢
The definitive performance of this tragic classic from Les Miserables - the immortal Michael Ball
I was re-watching 25th Anniversary but couldn't help but paused the video during Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, then get back to the 10th for some proper performance by Michael Ball. Cast of 25th are extraordinary except the Marius
To be fair to Nick Jonas, he did that song really well considering how young he was at the time. Michael is still the original and best though.
Let’s just forget Jonas ever happened.
@@obiwankenobi9141 Hey it's 25 year anniversary, we'll cast the best there is out there... Then... glitch
@@Peconi111
Cam Mackintosh: the best actor for Marius would be Hadley- *glitch* Nick Jonas.
Later that day
Hadley Fraser: So, Cameron, am I playing Marius?
Cameron: No, Marius should be Nick Jonas.
Hadley: WHAT? Then who am I playing?
Cameron: Grantaire.
Hadley: 🥺😢😤😠😡🤬🤯😳🤔.
This is the one song Nick is acceptable in, because he's alone and not out sung by anyone.
I lost 2 of my friends in Highschool to suicide. When I think of them and I see our empty booth at Legends across the street from our school; I think of this song. The pain never goes entirely.
i nearly lost me to suicide two times. sometimes i wonder why people saved me and sometimes i
wonder if perhaps the third time will do it. all the therapy in the world will not help if a person can
find no reason for their existance.
This is the best rendition of this song I've ever heard. Outstanding!
This song is so sad. My son lost so many of his troop during Iraq.
And many who did survive,,, are taking their lives. He is now volunteering
to help Veterans to stop Veteran Suicide. So many go through 'Survivor Guilt'.
I can't imagine what that is like.
Thank You for such a beautiful performance.
best version of this still in 2024
The way he sung "Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me, what your sacrifice was for..." Is completely haunting.
Legitimately sends shivers down my spine.
I just saw Les Miserables a few days ago. This song brought me to tears. Michael Ball absolutely rocks it.
Man, he really killed it as Marius. Just no comparison. I was listening to this in 97, trying to keep up.
Dear Michael...So young and well prepared, for this role! NO ONE does this song better than you!!!!!
Best song in a mint musical. Hits that much harder when you've lost dear friends. Survivors guilt 😔
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about `tomorrow'
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
(The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear)
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
(The ghosts fade away)
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friend will sing no more.
Ty
The music of Les Mis stands alone as the most emotive masterpiece of a musical ever
The original and best Marius .
This is now my favourite song from this great musical. It used to be "bring him home"
but I have got older and at times like Christmas I look at the empty chairs at empty tables.
Alain and Claude-Michelle really enjoy tearing our hearts into thousand pieces with their musicals, don't they?
Yes, and they don't get enough credit for all these masterpieces.
@@randallbosin5262 Agreed 100%
Many have tried,no one comes close,he owns this one
Saw Michael Ball in concert many times. He nearly always included this and never forgot to mention that he was the first to sing it!
Oh wow, you're so lucky. What a privilege to hear him sing. I would mention that every time too if I was him. I'd be so proud.
he does not need to mention that he also was the best. we all know that. and wasnt he wonderful.?
As a Les Miz tragic I have watched many wonderful performances of this song but no one has ever made me feel Marius's pain as much as Michael does. His rendition of this beautiful but heartbreaking song is just perfect
One of the best renditions of this song I have ever heard...Bravo!
I was fortunate to see Les Miz 3 times live in London with the original cast .. unbelievable and simply brilliant.. this song was and is sooooo moving and Michael Ball was and is simply fantastic 😍
This song has been playing in my soul when I know the last person to have laughs with will be leaving soon. A room empty of past jokes and laughs "oh my friends my friends don't ask me..." .
Just brilliant. Michael Ball is the best.
Definitely
Michael Ball voice is incredibly enchanting!😍😍😍😍
Dear Michael: Your voice is wonderful and you are so kissable!!!!
suzanne. i also love MB but lately i have been more interested in your posts. you are truly an MB fan
but sometimes I wonder if you are going a little over the top.
What a voice....what phrasing!
The rise into the last chorus and refrain is so beautifully done. Heart breaking. It's such a gorgeous song
Voice of an angel
Michael is absolutely wonderful. He is perfect in every way, his voice is magical & his performances are superb.. I wish I could listen him sing.
Wow, I have no words. He is incredible
Grief, perfectly portrayed. I so love Les Mis.
My god this is exquistely beautiful. All these years later, Michael Ball has even topped his original version.
something about his rendition that tops all. it is both emotionally restrained, and explosive. he captures loss, and melds it to the heart.
So blessed to have seen this stunning performance. How could one not be moved?
This is taking on a new meaning after the events of the past 18 months or so, but just beautiful. One of my favourite songs 💕
Amazing Song By The Awesome Michael Ball
I weep when I hear Michael Ball sing this song. It's SO emotional and beautiful.
Then I watched that Jonas brother sing it on the 25th and I wept for an entirely different reason...
people blame the fact that the jonas brother who attempted this was so young. Michael was younger.
I live in SF and we have lost our national treasure Tony Bennett but the UK was kind enough to lend us Michael. Thank you.
The best version out there, what a voice!!!
Listen to Jonathan Antuan the guy from British got Talent and you enjoy this song.
Michael Ball is the King of Empty Chairs, Empty Tables!
I watched Les Miz in London west end 4 times already, this song gave me chills every single time.
A brilliant performer
Jaren geleden heb ik deze uitvoering op You Tube gezien. De beste Marius tot nu toe. Ik krijg elke keer weer kippenvel van deze uitvoering: zo veel emotie legt hij er in. Hij is de reden dat we Les Miserables al zo'n 8x gezien hebben in Londen 😊. Ook een paar keer in Nederland gezien: in juli gaan we naar de nieuwste uitvoering in Carré. Maar Londen is mijn favoriet ❤ om deze musical te zien.
Great song - fabulous musical, but, above all, the definitive performance by a truly excellent singer. So much emotion in his voice.
Michael Ball made Marius, feel the emotion
Had the privilege of experiencing Les Miserables with my wife at the Tulsa PAC. Was an amazing performance
Truly brilliant in every way. I was lucky enough to see him perform this in concert; I wept
Lo más bonito, emocionante y verdadero que he visto en un teatro. Y puedo asegurar que nunca veré nada mejor en mi vida. Lo guardaré siempre como una joya, en lo más profundo de mi corazón. 🙌💜❤️
That voice though!!!
Michael not only sings with his voice, his eyes and face portray the++ w+ords and feelings of this song. i love him xx
Magical Michael Truly the best in this Role of Marius....
What a moving rendition of this very sad and powerful song, sung with feeling and such devotion by Michael. The best version I've heard of this "bring a tear to your eye" passionate song. Thank you Michael for your "both your talent" and the feeling of deep deep passion you put into all your songs.
Michael Michael you have always nailed this song as Marius
Back in the early 90s I was a printers apprentice which had old letterpress and vertical topcutters.This song and Spanish caravan by the doors rang through my head for a year or two.
How it feels surviving the layoffs.
LOL, survivor's guilt.
Thanks for the laugh 😂
This is such a hauntingly beautiful song...full of so much heartache and guilt. I agree with one of the commenters below, I wish they had the "phantom faces" in the movie, it would've made it more emotional.
I can't help but watch carefully as his mouth moves. It was so fascinating!!!
Simply stunning.
Michael Ball killed at Javert too, his suicide scene (besides all the spit, lol) was the best Ive ever seen. Such a talent on the stage.
never having seen this before I cannot describe how much I am moved by this performance by Michael Ball its hard to find words awe inspiring does not to justice to this
Beautifully sung
Still brings chills to my bones everytime i see this. So awesome.👍👍
Masterclass
I just love Michael ball. He’s my favorite opera singer!!! Sings with a lot of feelings! I love you Michael!
Opera? Michael Ball isn't an opera singer! He's a musical theater actor.
Never realised he was so amazing - you feel the pain.
The best Marius ever...
Ohhhh myyyy GAWD amazing. I had a crush on him all growing up. As a teenie bopper I was in love with this mans vocals, not celebs on teen magazine
The greatest of all the musicals
Michael Ball was amazing as Marius and all others that sing this song pale in comparison
The best Marius thus far :)
Wow! Soul-stirring performance.
I guess something that seems really obvious but is never talked about is how this song perfectly encapsulates what's known as Survivor's guilt (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_guilt).
"Oh my friends, my friends forgive me... That I live and you are gone"
It also subtly alludes to the PTSD which Marius would have probably suffered from all his life. Such rich story telling in only a three minute song. Probably why Les Mis is such a classic.
He is the best
I was raised on this version of Les Mis, yet this song still gives me chills. 🥺🥹😭
me too!! this cast is honestly so special
nearly 55 years after VN this song is reminder, daily, friends lost .
Loved this when it first aired and love it still
Truly gifted
Simply amazing!.
He's an angel
Incredible song, incredible singer/actor. Breathtaking!
And this is why Les Mis is the best musical
WOW! great song, great interpretation!!
Soars above the tepid Nick Jonas in the 25th magnificent rendention at the OZ. Jonas was a boy among men, but not to detract from Michael Ball's masterpiece here. Magnificent!
people say that Nick Jonas will grow into the role, i doubt it. He is a boy and he will always be a boy, while Michael even now, is and was a man.
A song for all friends in nations at war and war zones today -- especially the unwilling beaten, broken, and dead young men of Gaza & Israel, Ukraine & Russia, Sudan & Myanmar ... and each and every one of their friends who still live today.
To my friends the dead and dying and now extinct trees and plants, lizards and mammals, cetaceans and fish who one by one, abandon this floating blue ship of life floating in vast deep darkness, never to rustle, whistle, cry or signal a song again.
Today i mourn not only empty chairs & tables -- but empty, and emptying, battlefields and deserts, rivers, forests, prairies, valleys, and mountains ...