Ha 15 years later the ALW version is closed permanently. 🤣

I strongly prefer Lloyd Webber's take on the story to Hill's, but what a spectacularly rude interview question that was.

Ken hills is nowhere near the original. The first stage adaptations of Phantom(Phantom was a book first so that was the original) was in 1949 but that was a play so I guess Ken Hills is the original in a way

Andrew really did rip this off didn't he Everything looks exactly the same

I perfer this Phantom now than Andrews Phantom because Andrews Phantom is over played over done and I personly have had enough of it and I hate "Love Never Dies.

Wouldn't mind either

You did indeed miss something! Just search youtube for "Phantom Musical" and look at the first playlist that comes up.

Woah, three? Are you referring to "Love Never Dies," or did I miss something? :P

I had no idea until tonight that there was another one O_O Hope I can see it someday!

The music is too different to really declare supremacy, but the dynamic of Hill's makes much more sense than Webber's. The phantom is a menace and monster, not Casanova come to save the day.

"His Phantom of the Opera has been enormously successful. Yours hasn't been. Why is that?" What a jerkwad question.

So there are THREE musical versions of Phantom of the Opera? Oh my gosh.

Well, if you want to be technical then Hill's production of "The Phantom of the Opera" was the original, as it was first on stage in 1976 and Webber's didn't go on stage until 1986. @TheVampPhan "Everyone thumbsdown-ed the comment" because Andrew Lloyd Webber has many fans, whether it be from Phantom of the Opera or from something like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita or Cats.

Florez is the next Opera superstar

I wonder how Peter Straker would do as ALW's Phantom...

This version had a lot more comedy than ALW's and Peter Straker has the best voice of all the Phantoms I've heard. I have a huge POTO collection, and own the soundtrack and libretto to this one. I would love to find any part of Ken Hill's Phantom on video!

I saw this version on stage around 1992 and thought it was fantastic.

Of course this is of an Opera....but this version really sounds like an Opera. I Love Webbers musical melodies alot more. they are memorable and more enrapturing than these ones.

You know it's the original musical because Christine is blonde. She was meant to be blonde and the only reason she was brunette in Webber's musical was because he gave his role to his wife, Sarah Brightman. For those who prefer the 2004 movie over the books and other musicals, clearly need to do some studying. I have read Susan Kay's Phantom, I like Yeston's Phantom, Webber's Phantom, and the 1925, 1989, and 1990 movies.

@evertime492 if Erik ever said that to me... I know I'm in trouble!

Pavarotti era un dio in questo repertorio ! Florez e il piu grande tenore fra le zanzare . Florz parla di se stesso che há una bella voce di belcanto,parla di chiaro -scuro, há, scuro ? qualquno puo spiegarmi per favore ma come una zanzara puo cantare scuro ?

@jakeblues875 but there isn't "the real musical" thats what i want to say

@DarthCrydus True, the Original NOVEL was written by Leroux, but Ken Hill's musical came out before Lloyd Webbers version, and as we heard in the video--it gave Lloyd Webber the inspiration to write his musical. So we all have Ken Hill to thank really lol

I LOVE THIS VERSION!!!!! It's funny & sad at the same time!! IT DEFENATLY needs more attention!!!!!!!

Neither of them are the original Phantom of the Opera. The original was a novel published in, i believe, 1909 in France by Gaston Leroux.

@muscleboi4use Agreed. His 'Pour mon ame' was sensational and worth turning up at the theatre just for that. However Dessay was absolutely superb too and in no way overshadowed. Her comedic acting was exceptional. I had decided before the end of the first act that I'd be queuing up for day tickets (it's naturally sold out) to see this production again this week :)

This has returned to London with Juan Diego and Natalie and I can confirm they are both BRILLIANT! Just super! Magnificent!

@DarthCrydus the original phantom adaption

He is in good voice in this clip.

This looks like an awesome version, I'd love to see it. The whisper is super creepy at the begining. And LOL in a horrified way- "yours hasn't been" Can't believe he'd say that.

"He was bound to Love You...When he heard you sing!!"

im glad they went with Micheal for the Phantom in Webber's version...Steve harley..eh...

chacun a son gout

If you like JUAN DIEGO FLOREZ check THE 30 TENORS in my playlist SUPER TENOR ARIAS ( including CLAUDIO SOTELO performing ARIA DEL CIRUJANO as a world première for YOU TUBE ) and tell me which one you prefer.

It was really rude of that reporter to say that Hill's musical hadn't been as successful. Who cares? I think that it's a beautiful and much more classic version of the story.

"And you're advised not to try that at home." Haha. Exactly. Leave it to JDF to dazzle you with those beautiful ending notes. :)

this is almost like a ghost story. ALW's was more of a love story.

I have see Florez since 2002 at Covent Garden, and can attest that he always gets a great ovation from the cognoscienti. He can also act better that Pavarotti. He is a true bel canto singer in the mould of Pinza and Kraus. I think he would be good in Werther too, but this can wait for later.

This isn't the Original Phantom all Musicals are the original Phantom of the Opera, and the Original Original Phantom of hte Opera is the Book of Gaston Leroux

I really like this version of Phantom. I've been looking FOR-EVER for videos of this Phantom. I think his voice is amazing. :)

I like the look on his face when the interviwer asks that, a real "Huh? What did you say?"

Of course you cannot compare them, they are different types of tenors. Apples and oranges, my friend. They're both wonderful, regardless.

I full agree this with: this is too mechanical, the pronunciation so so (too concentrated on reaching the notes than on the partition) and truly not my cup of tea. Donizetti is not a game nore a contest of high notes.... Pavarotti perhaps; but I should mention Rockwell Blacke in this part. As for Mr. Florez, I certainly do not deny his capacities but they are not used properly as his first approach with Verdi can show.

I think Ken Hill's is a darker, a bit more decadent, it's not as main stream, and therefore less people are easily accepting to it. It doesn't make it less well-written than ALW's. But I will say this -- Ken Hill's Phantom threatens to KILL Christine in the end, and that is something that Erik from Gaston Leroux's novel would never do.

Agreed. Has no where near the power and feeling.

But, then again, who wants to play Don Ottavio LOL.

I fully agree with joanmanuel, that tie is horrible indeed. But sometimes we have to bear even worse spiritual pains to be able to listen to miraculous voices like Juan Diego's. Maybe the golden years of Gigli and Schipa will have after all some echo in our time so deprived of "tenores di grazia" and simply brilliant voices like those two late stars.

he is going to get married with a german young woman in lima ,,,so a cute,but married man ,,,viva dieguitoooooooooooooooo

Ohh burn lmao "Yours hasnt why is that?" I mean come on thats just rude poor guy I like this though =D

Oooo, that whisper was creepy!