Colm Wilkinson "Soliloquy ( What have i done)" Les Miserables 10th anniversary edition

[@phantomsonlylove]

i played this song side by side with "javert's suicide" and it made me see the two songs in a totally new light. this musical is too brilliant

[@christinaanton3859]

+phantomsonlylove I completely agree. When I saw the correlation between the lyrics I got chills. The endings use the same words (almost) and yet they are so completely different given the context. Simply beautiful. What have I Done: "I am reaching, but I fall And the night is closing in As I stare into the void To the whirlpool of my sin I'll escape now from that world From the world of Jean Valjean Jean Valjean is nothing now Another story must begin!" Javert's Suicide: "I am reaching, but I fall And the stars are black and cold As I stare into the void Of a world that cannot hold I'll escape now from that world From the world of Jean Valjean There is nowhere I can turn There is no way to go on!"

[@katherine4236]

It's amazing how both songs are essentially the death of a character 😭

[@harringt100]

Yeah, the musical makes a lot of use of parallelism through melody. Personally I think the reason for using the same melody here is to draw a contrast between Valjean's response to mercy (from the bishop) and Javert's response to mercy (from Valjean.) Valjean is ashamed of himself but so stunned and touched by the bishop's mercy that it allows him to believe in God's mercy and realize his life can be redeemed. Javert is so against the idea of mercy and so determined to believe Valjean _can't_ be redeemed that receiving mercy from Valjean himself is intolerable. It's pitiable; he's so unable to change his opinion or loose his commitment to the law that he'd rather die. The themes of mercy and redemption are strong in both the novel and the musical, but I actually think they come out even stronger in the musical.

[@Mentalsamurai28]

Yes, the two characters represent two different aspects of faith. Valjean = mercy, grace, and redemption while Javert=legalism, rigidness, and law. Neither is right nor wrong just different although I would say Valjean's angle on faith seems more fulfilling.

[@gotplague]

Agreed, with Valjean he saw the world he always knew collapsing but chose hope. While Javert chose death

[@TheEgg-o]

The voice crack on the "this is all I have known" gives me chills. Such a talented singer

[@jasnesciemnienie9107]

I think that it was intentionaly

[@TheEgg-o]

@@jasnesciemnienie9107 Doesn't matter, still beautiful

[@LilacSnowBun]

That’s the best part 🥰

[@kevinkeeler8041]

1:35 Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite Jean Valjean.

[@agentbravo1716]

It’s not really a crack. Colm was and is an expert at articulation and intonation. That was more like a squeak and it was very much intentional. One of the greatest in the history of both the West End and Broadway.

[@AsiaMs]

"This is all I have lived for. This is all that i have known! " Yes! Colm Wilkinson IS and always will be Jean Valjean.

[@kevinkeeler8041]

1:35 Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite Jean Valjean.

[@MsPandacakes]

I couldn't believe it when I found out Colm Wilkinson was to return in 2012 to play the Bishop in the Les Miserables movie! I cried from happiness when I saw him! He is truly a gift from God and will never be out sung.

[@jaynemcfadden3361]

Totally agree. Hes amazing

[@luongvunam3528]

sad that he didn't reprise his role as Valjean.Hugh Jackman 's voice was so so so so so awful!

[@jack_skeean]

@@luongvunam3528 Personally, I don't think Hugh did a bad job. He certainly acted it really well, and he sounded good for most of it! Colm is too old now anyway.

[@NamDickNguyen]

His acting was great, the complain is about his voice which was not so good due to his exhaustion

[@redcrown5070]

@@luongvunam3528 now, let's stop bitching about it, Jackman did an amazing job and although his voice is not as good as Clm's voice, he did justice to Valjean's character.

[@TheSimplyJJP]

This speaks to me so much. Valjean is a well written main character. Though I've never been to prison nor committed any crimes his view on life is very relatable.

[@adrianb3429]

This is my favourite song in all of Les Mis and lucky for me that it comes so early on in the production. I've listened to many others perform this piece and can say that no one comes close to Colm Wilkinson. In particular, what makes this version the best, in my opinion are: the vocal range, how well he conveys different emotions (which no one else really captures), and my God can he hold a note!

[@peterlegrand562]

Hugh Jackman, while a clearly less beautiful rendition, adds a ton of emotion to it that really helps certain parts of the song really hit. In particular, his line “upon the rack” gets me choked up every time. That said, if I can only listen to one version the rest of my life it will be Colm’s!

[@mikeheth]

At "Take an eye for an eye!!!!!!!!" The first timer in the audience thinks: "Woo..This musical is really good!"

[@도톨희-l2w]

"Take an eye for an eye" that line always gives me goosebumps ;)

[@taladayarts]

I saw this as a kid when it ran on TV. We taped it, and I've watched it so many times. It just gets better as I get older. 😭 The chills....

[@jasonbayse5874]

I grew up on this musical. Oh, the honor to be a part of this would be so fantastic and rewarding

[@decadencewhimsyandsarcasm]

Quite simply the G.O.A.T

[@Flangel66]

Every time I see that acronym I struggle to remember what it stands for. This time it was clear as day.

[@desmondgentle1474]

I don't know why but that line "I feel my shame inside me like a knife" really resonates with me

[@BlinkinFirefly]

I always catch myself singing this. The part where he starts singing "Yet why did I allow that man to touch my soul and teach me love?" This whole show is just so phenomenal though. What an amazing cast this was

[@breezingby2611]

No one can ever top Colm, he was perfection

[@Tsukihimon24]

Colm is the master of masters!!!! One of the greatests valjeans!!!!!

[@kevinkeeler8041]

1:35 Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite Jean Valjean.

[@AmandaWithLov3]

"He told me that I have a soul... how does he know..?"

[@DernLud]

My all time favorite scene and of course Colm Wilkerson is the greatest of greats . I think he just brings so much emotion to this role.. I cry every time I watch this scene.

[@betanderson6043]

This is the voice that I hold as the standard against all other male voices. Incredible is putting it lightly.

[@ireallyhatemakingupnamesfo1758]

Just for stealing a mouthful of breeeayed

[@TheCosmerenaut1]

🤣

[@johncantor7345]

What have I done? Sweet Jesus, what have I done? Become a thief in the night Become a dog on the run Have I fallen so far And is the hour so late That nothing remains but the cry of my hate The cries in the dark that nobody hears Here where I stand at the turning of the years? If there's another way to go I missed it twenty long years ago My life was a war that could never be won They gave me a number and murdered Valjean When they chained me and left me for dead Just for stealing a mouthful of bread Yet why did I allow that man To touch my soul and teach me love? He treated me like any other He gave me his trust He called me brother My life he claims for God above Can such things be? For I had come to hate the world This world that always hated me Take an eye for an eye Turn your heart into stone This is all I have lived for This is all I have known One word from him and I'd be back Beneath the lash, upon the rack Instead he offers me my freedom I feel my shame inside me like a knife He told me that I have a soul How does he know? What spirit comes to move my life? Is there another way to go? I am reaching, but I fall And the night is closing in As I stare into the void To the whirlpool of my sin I'll escape now from that world From the world of Jean Valjean Jean Valjean is nothing now Another story must begin Source: LyricFind

[@josiaharaki7310]

What I love about this song is the contrast between it at Javert's suicide. While this is a song of rebirth and redemption, Javert's is one of despair and destruction. When Valjean's worldview is challenged, he adapts and emerges from the other side a better man. WIth Javert, he cannot bear living in a world that so sharply contradicts his worldview and succumbs to despair, taking his own life. While I love the poeticism of it all, I must admit, I prefer the parallels of the Animated Adaptation "Little Girl Cosette". In this adaptation, they toned down a few of the more dramatic and intense parts of the novel for children. While they kept most of the deaths, they did a few whitewashes such as glossing over Cosette's mother's prostitution and most deviating, Javert has an epiphany as he's leaning over the bridge and commits himself to giving everyone a chance to change. He is the one to arrest the Thanagiers at the wedding party, and when Mousier Thanagier rants about just escaping again, Javert replies that he shall continue to arrest him then, until he truly learns to change or until he rots.

[@Orholam5]

Thernadier*

[@katiejo3663]

an incredible performance

[@katerinapetrova9738]

Grabe talaga cast ng 10th anniversary. Walang tatalo

[@oliverdelica2289]

Hi kabayan

[@joshuasipat9364]

Dream Cast

[@shambaby]

Um, that is freaking amazing. Why are there not ZILLIONS of views?

[@indus7841]

Thats a huge number.

[@ChowMeinWarrior]

Colm Wilkinson=legend

[@kevinkeeler8041]

1:35 Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite Jean Valjean.

[@eduleal]

I know. he's always favoured technique over diction, which makes some words sound weird. It's cool though, he's awesome.

[@LegendOfZeldafan666]

as the nostalgia critic said : OHM nah jokeing aside this is amazing o.o

[@fatomalbishry2707]

LegendOfZeldafan666 عف

[@cavejohnsonful]

Colm Wilkinson is Valjean. Anyone else playing Valjean is an actor playing Valjean.

[@oliverdelica2289]

Fair enough

[@mary0leary378]

I couldn’t agree more 😁👏

[@Fif0l]

I hope he's not Valjean. We can't allow such a dangerous bread thief to walk freely.

[@passantstuggi7046]

Same applies to Philip Quast for Javert.

[@calvintang6520]

What about hugh jackman

[@YoshikiByankotsu]

it's really interesting how the two more inner songs (this one and Javert's suicide) are so similar, and yet so opposite.

[@misterblueskyyy]

It’s a heartrending parallel.

[@mandieeleaver3321]

So good! Wow!

[@tomoreilly5803]

2:56 he ends up a half step sharp but it works SO well

[@naranara1690]

Something so rapturously powerful about the line "Jean Valjean is nothing now" while the singing kicks up an octave

[@TheRealCantaraBella]

Insane everytime I see this🎉

[@mickmaloy]

Moves me everytime

[@SuperGirlNerd]

Colm

[@samwheat2480]

This is beyond

[@davidnelson5381]

"He gave me his trust. He called me brother." - Forget it. Done. Over. I have the poster. And I'm not an organized religious man. But I have personal faith. Maybe others try this instead of being followers of something else.

[@sunnydays622]

My favorite!!

[@SyanaLovesYou]

Incredible

[@michaelyee2716]

Wilkinson is Jean Valjean. Anyone else is playing Wilkinson.

[@TheSlippinJim]

colm wilkinson is colm wilkinson

[@EJIsaksen]

i know, definitely my favourite valjean1

[@calluminnes9841]

Another story must begin.

[@ketokat67]

gracias sideways

[@benszekely4336]

the soliloquy at 10 fps!

[@walkingmacrocosm]

In the beginning I thought I accidentally switched on speed up button.

[@luigicavallo270]

1:39 "This is all *I* have known!"

[@McFatteh]

Exactly. Probably the same reason Michael Ball used to sing 'SOMEBODY'S HEYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' at the end of The Attack on Rue Plumet xD

[@HaydnG266]

😂😂😂 accurate

[@oneofspades]

nuff said

[@sangwonseo286]

쩐다

[@foggyforest2625]

Oh hi bishop

[@ftrecordingstudio4034]

Half of me knows I should put a boika but in 6 months it’ll be spring

[@denisbudarin]

At first it sounds like he is sining Rap =))

[@짬찌소위]

Denis Budarin I totally agree🤣🤣

[@exterminateexterminate9751]

2:28

[@EJIsaksen]

its a musical technique because ah is the easiest sound to sing.

[@kabiraltaf]

Does anyone know what the top note in this song is?

[@FBWSRD]

I think its A4

[@sgeekmc8530]

@@FBWSRD It’s actually a Bb4 I think (on “this is all I have lived for….”)

[@ftrecordingstudio4034]

The beef burgers usually nice

[@katelynnkenney9694]

Ok, I kinda want to dance at the first part.

[@MrDrumStikz]

No, they're playing Colm Wilkinson...

[@juki009]

Is he physically strong too?

[@scraggyboi]

fun fact - this is transposed up by a semitone

[@Vladimoskov]

Lemons!

[@iamgr80k]

U mean begin

[@wwa_minuet]

bread

[@KayFireVM]

Alfie Boe is also Jean Valjean.

[@elisabethduartedossantos7049]

Dante Pozzos Quetzal k

[@AlonzoMartinez11]

i wanna see the alternate ending where Javert kills Valjean

[@jasnesciemnienie9107]

I wanna see the alternate ending where Javert kills Enjoras and Marius, and Valjean kills Javert. And Eponine kills Cosette too.

[@davidelliott2501]

12 fps valjean.

[@eduleal]

No he doesn't. It sounds like begaaaaaaaaa...n

[@sahrasaid7610]

U do better like bishop than valjean.

[@active_whipp]

Wilkinson does great voice wise, but his facial expressions could be better...

[@benszekely4336]

I think the that Alfie was overall worse than Colm, but Alfie is better for the prologue.

[@yura50597]

Why did they change the style so drastically after 40 seconds?Am i the only one who hates that?

[@sparrow2771]

Yura Yedynak No, that's super annoying to me too

[@weeaboo_weirdo]

Justsomeguy He changes style to illustrate his inner turmoil. He doesn't know what to do

[@jakobm1347]

The „stealing a mouthful of breeaaaaaaaaaad” ruined the performance for me.

[@scotthood-bi3yj]

Colm Don't like Voice not strong don't like les miserables 10th anniversary

[@andrewkomaniecki480]

Why do I like Hugh Jackman's version of this song better than this guys?

[@warby2418]

Not as good as Alfie boe

[@manuelreyes429]

I like Hugh Jackman better.

[@tommyproductionz2159]

It’s close but I gotta give it to Colm

[@wwa_minuet]

Hugh Jackman could have done so much better if he was actually hydrated and wasn’t overworked