Michael definitely set the standard for this wonderful show. Everyone else who performed the music only tried to come close to that standard. There were many who tried but none were able to beat him.
I’m so pleased this segment was filmed. Crawford is the embodiment of the Phantom. Not only because he was the ALW original, (fresh concept), but because all facets of his performance worked. Seductive yet powerful vocals Makeup is true to form (Phantom was not a misunderstood handsome “bad boy”. He was a dungeon-dwelling sympathetic monster with musical genius). Crawford’s mannerisms and movements perfectly encapsulate the 1925 Lon Chaney performance. My only sorrow is that we never got at least one filmed ALW full-show with the original cast to be preserved and enjoyed forever.
[...] „the New York Public Library's Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, which contains countless full videos of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and even regional productions from the 1970s.” [...] „Recently, new titles were added to the archive, most notably The Phantom of the Opera (with the original cast)” ~ Playbill 2023
I saw this at the Kennedy Center in the early 90's and it was epically beautiful and memorable, especially when the phantom appeared out in the audience right beside me and made me scream so badly. The center has never found my lung I lost.
There's so many beautifully performed Phantoms out there, and I know that ALW always envisioned more of a rock vocal, but I cannot see past Crawford as Phantom. There's such a haunting, sinister but sensual quality to his approach, I don't know how anyone compares. For me, he is the only one.
I adore this performance, bravo to all the others but this is IT, I recently came across this performance and was very impressed, like all the stars aligned for a moment and this happened, very much like Andrews original composing of the piece, unearthly beauty, th-cam.com/video/2gLQpiF1SIU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EOQZ4QWKDu5OXHlE
You are seeing an actor who did extensive preparation and training for every role...a crazy amount of it...by opening night, Crawford would have so deeply been the Phantom, it must have been hard to turn it off afterward. What an actor!
Every actor has that one moment of endearment to a specific character , story, and fits that character we will just know and the remembrance that actor we will carry to be the true Phantom. Thank you Michael Crawford for bringing the Phantom to life, like no other.
Absolutely 💯 I've seen the Phantom 4 times once on Broadway, the west end and Manchester (England) although other Phantoms are brilliant. NO-ONE & I mean NO-ONE compares to Michael Crawford 💖💖💖💖💖
I was lucky and blessed to see it on Broadway with both Sarah and Micheal when it first opened! Amazing memory! This clip brings it all back. Long live Phantom!❤
Absolutely Sensation! This man's range, depth, and control are phenomenal. He is The Phantom of The Opera! All the other Phantoms were great but NONE compare to Michael Crawford. He was BORN for this role!
Best phantom ever! His voice is so eerie yet beautiful… this is my favourite musical because of his character! He’s so evil because that’s all he’s ever known from his deformity and tortured past. He loves her so deeply but he doesn’t know how to deal with it because he’s been alone and that’s all he’s ever known. I really think he is the angel of music!
As a PHAN from the very beginning, I have always sung The Phantom ala Michael Crawford. Ramin is the Modern Phantom, but Michael Crawford is the OG OPERA GHOST!!!!
Man….This whole video is just…Dreamy and magical. I love how beautiful the music and lyrics are…They kinda just float and dance around in the air. Michael Crawford will forever be my favorite Phantom…The way he seems to literally enchant people with his voice, the fact that he can sing so clearly even with a mask on his face…The overall vibe and feeling of this is so beautiful and perfectly captures the essence of The Phantom of the Opera. Beautiful, dreamy, magical, different, enchanting, mysterious….I love it so much…
His vocal talents started long before Phantom of the Opera - Look at the Hello Dolly movie from 1969 starring Barbara Streisand and in the movie is a very young Michael Crawford.
@@Brissieskater1 Oh I have seen that movie. I absolutely love it. My sister and I spent the whole movie cracking up at how young Michael Crawford was and how hilarious he and his friend were in the movie
I was very lucky. I got to see Michael in LA one week before he retired from playing Phantom. The crazy thing was offered 2k for 2 tickets right at top of the escalator. I am so glad I turned it down. One of my life’s greatest pleasures was seeing the only true Phantom perform.
I swear I swear I swear I cannot believe this musical no longer exists on Broadway thank God it's still playing around the world and hopefully will never die...
His voice is soft but powerful, angelic and haunting all at once, first impressions really do set the bar and this is still my favorite phantom although I absolutely loved Hugh and Ramin as the phantom.
Omg😲😲😢😢😢his voice his beautiful..I’ve been watching him in some mothers do av em…loved him as Frank…brings massive laughter to my life…but this…has brought me to tears…he’s phenomenal..talent beyond belief .. in my opinion..the best phantom ever🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
As the first Phantom, I tend to judge all others by Michael Crawford's performance. Other Phantoms have done well by the role...but Michael will always have the distinction of being #1.
@@ingloongyang4026 please please help me. Is there anyway that I can enjoy a copy of it. There are companies that would turn it into a dvd. I would pay any price for it because it is princess!!!! Thanks very much.
Michael is an all round performer. He is an excellent comedian too. Some Mother's do have them was great on British TV. His first love was always musical theater. Billy Liar was another musical he performed in
Billy was one of my favourites. Great music and Crawford was brilliant. Won't say that it was an underrated show because it was very popular until MC left it. I was lucky enough to see it several times and I also saw him in Phantom, the first time at a preview performance before it officially opened. My boss at work came in the day after opening night and smugly said that he had been to see it on the opening night. Didn't like to say that I had already seen it!!
Have you seen the comparison videos? There are too many fantastic phantoms to count! The ones you listed are just the main stream ones, but Hugh, Ben Lewis, Anthony Warlow- so many fantastic performances. But I do agree, Crawford is the GOAT and Gerard was wonderful too
I've seen The Phantom of The Opera twice in Toronto Ontario Canada in the 90's (I can't remember the exact years). I really wish it would come back. It's so beautiful. Makes me tear up from this beautiful music. Just fabulous!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎉
Saw it live December 1986 at Her Majesty's Theater in London with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Beauty of being stationed 90 miles away. Train to London, pub and theater for a great evening. As I recall, tickets were 15 Pounds Sterling, or approx $16.
Some of the lyrics in this version as one expected were from the original west end cast of the phantom of the opera. they were changed later on to the lyrics we all know today. I wonder why they did that?
Michael é o melhor de todos! A voz dele etérea, os movimentos das mãos, a linguagem corporal. Pura perfeição! 😍😍 Pena que não pude vê-lo ao vivo. 😢😢A primeira vez que assisti ao vivo foi em 2005 quando o musical veio ao meu país. Queria tanto ter visto o Michael ao vivo como Fantasma.
![Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli - Time to Say Goodbye (1997) [720p]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g3ENX3aHlqU/mqdefault.jpg)
How beautiful is Sarah Brightman here. Stunning
Michael didn't play the Phantom he was the Phantom.
Michael definitely set the standard for this wonderful show. Everyone else who performed the music only tried to come close to that standard. There were many who tried but none were able to beat him.
I’m so pleased this segment was filmed. Crawford is the embodiment of the Phantom. Not only because he was the ALW original, (fresh concept), but because all facets of his performance worked.
Seductive yet powerful vocals
Makeup is true to form (Phantom was not a misunderstood handsome “bad boy”. He was a dungeon-dwelling sympathetic monster with musical genius).
Crawford’s mannerisms and movements perfectly encapsulate the 1925 Lon Chaney performance.
My only sorrow is that we never got at least one filmed ALW full-show with the original cast to be preserved and enjoyed forever.
[...] „the New York Public Library's Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, which contains countless full videos of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and even regional productions from the 1970s.”
[...] „Recently, new titles were added to the archive, most notably The Phantom of the Opera (with the original cast)” ~ Playbill 2023
@@L.T.VideoAndAudioyou would think that ALW would have special permission to share that with the public.
@@darthkurland YES!
I saw this at the Kennedy Center in the early 90's and it was epically beautiful and memorable, especially when the phantom appeared out in the audience right beside me and made me scream so badly. The center has never found my lung I lost.
❤
It would have scared me too
There's so many beautifully performed Phantoms out there, and I know that ALW always envisioned more of a rock vocal, but I cannot see past Crawford as Phantom. There's such a haunting, sinister but sensual quality to his approach, I don't know how anyone compares. For me, he is the only one.
I couldn't agree more
Started with a Crawford, ended with a Crawford…
@@antonelladangelo5251totally agree and the chemistry with Sarah brings out both characters even more. They are the best
I adore this performance, bravo to all the others but this is IT, I recently came across this performance and was very impressed, like all the stars aligned for a moment and this happened, very much like Andrews original composing of the piece, unearthly beauty, th-cam.com/video/2gLQpiF1SIU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EOQZ4QWKDu5OXHlE
Absolutely. Crawford is by far the very best. He’s magical. No one even comes close.
Michael Crawford, the Ultimate Phantom.
You are seeing an actor who did extensive preparation and training for every role...a crazy amount of it...by opening night, Crawford would have so deeply been the Phantom, it must have been hard to turn it off afterward. What an actor!
Man, Michael Crawfords voice is phenomenal.
Every actor has that one moment of endearment to a specific character , story, and fits that character we will just know and the remembrance that actor we will carry to be the true Phantom. Thank you Michael Crawford for bringing the Phantom to life, like no other.
The original unique and Best phantom.
The Tony Award-winner for Best Actor in a Musical, Michael Crawford.
Absolutely 💯 I've seen the Phantom 4 times once on Broadway, the west end and Manchester (England) although other Phantoms are brilliant. NO-ONE & I mean NO-ONE compares to Michael Crawford 💖💖💖💖💖
Only other Phantom I love is Ramin all others are like eating Taco Bell after having a Mexican grandmas homemade dinner
@@Huskerguy316You're forgetting John Owen-Jones.
Michael Crawford is the one and only Phantom. Nobody did it better.❤
They're right he put in more suggestions and more effects and hands
ramin karimloo
Amen
Music wise yes. But nothing compares theatrically to Lon Chaney. The "concept" portrayed by a few gifted artists endures that is for sure.
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
I swear there's something about the way he played The Phantom that has always struck me as being more ghostly.
Best. Phantom. Ever. Saw him in LA in 1989 and am still in love with his voice and performance.
You're soooo lucky!
I saw him in it twice. He's incomparable.
Enchanting voice for deep felt tragic story.i feel it running through my blood 😢
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
@@tammyramey😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
I was lucky and blessed to see it on Broadway with both Sarah and Micheal when it first opened! Amazing memory! This clip brings it all back. Long live Phantom!❤
I was too young to remember Michael's version but it seems that his lyrics are different from Gerry Butler's version.
How lucky u were...
Very fortunate.
He was the best Phantom sensual and sinister at the same time. Perfect
Absolutely Sensation! This man's range, depth, and control are phenomenal. He is The Phantom of The Opera! All the other Phantoms were great but NONE compare to Michael Crawford. He was BORN for this role!
Best phantom ever! His voice is so eerie yet beautiful… this is my favourite musical because of his character! He’s so evil because that’s all he’s ever known from his deformity and tortured past. He loves her so deeply but he doesn’t know how to deal with it because he’s been alone and that’s all he’s ever known. I really think he is the angel of music!
"Silently MY senses abandon their defenses" everytime I listen to this masterpiece in Michael Crawford's voice...❤
i heard Michael was amazing, but wow, I've never heard the words soo clearly before. just wow
Incredible performance! Michael is brilliant, and Sarah can portray a total airhead like no one else! I love this!
Best Phantom in the show business. Fell in love with his voice as an teenager. Still gives me goosebumps hearing this beautiful powerfull voice.
I saw Michael Crawford saw last performance 🎭 in LA. The play was phenomenal and he was wonderful as the phantom.
As a PHAN from the very beginning, I have always sung The Phantom ala Michael Crawford. Ramin is the Modern Phantom, but Michael Crawford is the OG OPERA GHOST!!!!
Amazing talent. The only phantom. Can not be replaced. Please come back.
His voice has aged...he can't.
Man….This whole video is just…Dreamy and magical. I love how beautiful the music and lyrics are…They kinda just float and dance around in the air. Michael Crawford will forever be my favorite Phantom…The way he seems to literally enchant people with his voice, the fact that he can sing so clearly even with a mask on his face…The overall vibe and feeling of this is so beautiful and perfectly captures the essence of The Phantom of the Opera. Beautiful, dreamy, magical, different, enchanting, mysterious….I love it so much…
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
His vocal talents started long before Phantom of the Opera - Look at the Hello Dolly movie from 1969 starring Barbara Streisand and in the movie is a very young Michael Crawford.
@@Brissieskater1 Oh I have seen that movie. I absolutely love it. My sister and I spent the whole movie cracking up at how young Michael Crawford was and how hilarious he and his friend were in the movie
Who would have thought that 35yrs later it would still be packing them in. Saw it again this year for the seventh time.
Every note, every move is deliberate and well thought out
A superb, masterful and enchanting performance by Mr.Crawford!😀
His voice is magical. I saw him live.
me too but in concert and DOTV. lol i was the only one who loved his Count Von Krolock
I SAW THIS IN CHICAGO.
YEARS LATER SAW IN NYNY.
LOVE PLAY IN CHICAGO BETER.MICHEAL CRAWFORD
BEAUTIFUL VOICE JUST FANTASTIC
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Michael Crawford is and was a Bellissima Phantom of the Opera ... with distance to all good Phantoms !!!
I was very lucky. I got to see Michael in LA one week before he retired from playing Phantom. The crazy thing was offered 2k for 2 tickets right at top of the escalator. I am so glad I turned it down. One of my life’s greatest pleasures was seeing the only true Phantom perform.
My favorite Phantom and Christine forever! ❤️🌹❤️
I swear I swear I swear I cannot believe this musical no longer exists on Broadway thank God it's still playing around the world and hopefully will never die...
No need to swear
@@l.a.3479lol❤
I prefer these lyrics to the later ones. They feel more magical.
What are you talking about? They rewrote song lyrics from Phantom?
@@l.a.3479 yeah some lyrics are different if you see the 25th anniv compared to this one
His voice is perfect!
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
His voice is soft but powerful, angelic and haunting all at once, first impressions really do set the bar and this is still my favorite phantom although I absolutely loved Hugh and Ramin as the phantom.
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
Feeds the imagination on this summer solstice afternoon. Just the best music. 💝💝💝
Hello, from the autumn equinox!
@@Minilena Hi! Yes it felt magical in the garden today.
Good for a summer afternoon....or a winter snowstorm. What great music!
Omg😲😲😢😢😢his voice his beautiful..I’ve been watching him in some mothers do av em…loved him as Frank…brings massive laughter to my life…but this…has brought me to tears…he’s phenomenal..talent beyond belief .. in my opinion..the best phantom ever🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Like this comment if you'd go see 80 year old Michael Crawford reprise the Phantom
This is the best ever love scene of any play or film.
he's such a physical actor he's seems to be completely aware of every movement add his voice completely hypnotic
immortal masterpiece💗
As the first Phantom, I tend to judge all others by Michael Crawford's performance. Other Phantoms have done well by the role...but Michael will always have the distinction of being #1.
This man has no competition, he is the best in my opinion!
Michael is simply magical. Pity we cannot buy his version on dvd. What happened to the movie he was supposed to make. Our loss.
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
This was on an LP (a larger and older version of DVD). We had it.
@@ingloongyang4026 please please help me. Is there anyway that I can enjoy a copy of it. There are companies that would turn it into a dvd. I would pay any price for it because it is princess!!!! Thanks very much.
I recall Michael had some difficulty speaking/singing through the prosthetics, particularly when he had to say the line "You little prying Pandora".
I could certainly understand that. At least he didn’t need to wear false teeth, because that really would have messed him up.
@@darthkurland You're probably thinking of Lon Chaney, and that was from the silent era.
Simply magnificent!!! 👍
An absolute masterpiece ❤
I love how he look at her waiting for her reaction to the mannequin.... he looks full of hope
A. Great. Wonderful. Musical. Play❤❤❤❤❤
I love this musical with these two great people performing it...i bet i have watched this musical 30 times or more...i just love this
I first saw Michael Crawford in the film 'Hello Goodbye' 1970. Then in New York for this Phantom and again in S.F. CA. His haunting voice is dreamy.
It's always a "Proud Papa" moment when scrolling through TH-cam and find your daughter. I love my children so much!
ur sarah's father? nooo
Michael is an all round performer. He is an excellent comedian too. Some Mother's do have them was great on British TV. His first love was always musical theater. Billy Liar was another musical he performed in
Billy was one of my favourites. Great music and Crawford was brilliant. Won't say that it was an underrated show because it was very popular until MC left it. I was lucky enough to see it several times and I also saw him in Phantom, the first time at a preview performance before it officially opened. My boss at work came in the day after opening night and smugly said that he had been to see it on the opening night. Didn't like to say that I had already seen it!!
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!
Masterpiece ... Have see it twice live ...if this doesn't melt you , your too far gone.Nevee see anything like this in my life.
Michael Crawford and Gerard Butler, the two best Phantoms of ALL TIME.
Ramin Karimlo
@@CanadianGuy2004 Nope.
@@jayman105 yes
Have you seen the comparison videos? There are too many fantastic phantoms to count! The ones you listed are just the main stream ones, but Hugh, Ben Lewis, Anthony Warlow- so many fantastic performances. But I do agree, Crawford is the GOAT and Gerard was wonderful too
A lot of people didn't like Gerard Butler in the part but I thought he was great. He had a little edge to him.
cudos to Micheal for this his perforamnce in this outstanding role. So talented the control in this performance when he u leashes the word free!
This is awesome. Love the video. Super magical!
I’m obsessed with his beautiful singing voice 🙏🥰🥰🥰🥰
Un peladazo ese Michael, no dudo que Sary con su preparación lo estaba estudiando palabra por palabra en su canto. Excelente.
I was blessed to see this magnificent performance in NY, 2nd row stage right. Unforgettable!!
Nothing compares to the original phantom. He set the bar pretty high.
The absolute best
I saw Phantom in San Francisco years ago. It was fabulous.
I've seen The Phantom of The Opera twice in Toronto Ontario Canada in the 90's (I can't remember the exact years). I really wish it would come back. It's so beautiful. Makes me tear up from this beautiful music. Just fabulous!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎉
Awesome ❤❤❤❤❤
I saw them perform live. Awesome.
Saw it live December 1986 at Her Majesty's Theater in London with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Beauty of being stationed 90 miles away. Train to London, pub and theater for a great evening. As I recall, tickets were 15 Pounds Sterling, or approx $16.
And what other theatre shows have you seen and where do you live now??
Absolutely beautiful ❤❤
There's no other Phantom but this one.
One of are most incredible character actors.
Perfection. In all respects.
There shall only be ONE. So many tried. This is truth
Michael Crawford did a good job
What are we supposed to do without you
Some of the lyrics in this version as one expected were from the original west end cast of the phantom of the opera. they were changed later on to the lyrics we all know today. I wonder why they did that?
This is pre-production. The lyrics on the OC album are essentially the modern ones. I think two words may have been changed since then?
I can't believe you're gone I miss you so much
Only on Broadway!
So many memories, absolutely superb.
Sarah is so young and fresh faced.
WOW !
Hard as lightning , soft as candle light 😊 best phantom ever
None other ever than him.
Michael Crawford nails it
And my former Texas Tech choir colleague David Gaschen is at the same level of vocal excellence.
My late mother and I went to New York to see it in the 1980's but Michael Crawford left the production 6 weeks before we saw it..
Oh no! I think I'd be livid.
Simply the Best
That title is for Tina Turner.
Thank you.
How many didn't realise the Michael Crawford could sing its so beautiful
michael crawford longest phantom?i think he is an angelic being singing
i actually had a Michael Crawford interview me a few weeks ago. You know i was singing this in my head
Why would Michael Crawford be interviewing you?
Que voz maravilhosa 👍🏽 parabéns
My ballet class did a dance to this version of the song at our recital in 1997
Michael é o melhor de todos! A voz dele etérea, os movimentos das mãos, a linguagem corporal. Pura perfeição! 😍😍
Pena que não pude vê-lo ao vivo. 😢😢A primeira vez que assisti ao vivo foi em 2005 quando o musical veio ao meu país. Queria tanto ter visto o Michael ao vivo como Fantasma.
Dan Vasc the best of all th-cam.com/video/1lMQ_3tW1YI/w-d-xo.html
Beautiful saw on the stage I think mayflower southampton
Ich kann garnicht aufhören mir das anzuschauen
Wow 💕
This is the version by which all others should be judged