It's Over Now the Music of the Night Comparison

(Sorry about the volume on Peter Karrie and Ramin Karimloo)

[@annafoster3045]

OK BUT CAN WE PLEASE THANK COLM FOR INSPIRING RAMIN TO BECOME AN ACTOR

[@vayrone57]

Anna Foster He's still the only real Jean Valjean

[@jackskellington8292]

Ya colm got valjean but Ramin got Phantom

[@nolamichelle9239]

YES

[@scotthamp384]

@Anna Foster not just Colm, but also Peter Karrie

[@MrNoUsername]

0:00 Michael Crawford (King!) 0:32 Gary Mauer 1:07 John Owen Jones 1:38 Peter Karrie 2:09 Earl Carpenter 2:39 Ramin Karimloo 3:12 Hugh Panaro 3:44 John Cudia 4:14 Colm Wilkinson 4:48 David Shannon 5:21 Howard McGillin

[@ArtFoxNaru]

I like many of them. But there's a special place in my heart for Crawford since he's the original, and he began the legacy.

[@gsorenson4777]

I can't help but agree with you. Your point demonstrates that the original is almost always the best, and Crawford was. He will forever be my favorite phantom.

[@altf1279]

ArtFox Naru Micheal's is amazing. It's heart shattering and causes me phsyical pain honestly

[@rebeccam4397]

@@altf1279 Michael was never confident in his singing ability and was intimidated by the part, but I think he was wonderful and as you say, put so much emotion into his singing. I can feel the pain too.

[@ZheeYoYo]

This is making me cry. Phantom ending its broadway run is the saddest thing ever.

[@sebmorgan393]

It makes me cry to I recently went to seen this show I loved it at his majsty therta in London

[@MeLOD204]

Ramin Karmiloo and Michael Crawford are my main two!!!! :D

[@savannahhicks8263]

*karimloo

[@angelcaldwell4190]

I honestly can't choose between them. I grew up with Crawford but I love Karimloo as well.

[@noahkeltesch1406]

Ramin and Michael and Gerard butler are my favorite phantom of the opera

[@henryisthere]

This might sound weird, but Gary Mauer's voice is so unbelievably amazing that you can almost taste it. It's like honey is running through your ears and on your tongue.

[@KittyKat-ky5us]

Mmhmm 😊

[@einwurm]

The thing that makes this specific recording of him stand out to me is the way he sings the word "can". The most spectactular "can" I've ever heard. His voice is really great.

[@TimeandMonotony]

Michael Crawford IS the Phantom of the Opera. Ramin and JOJ are also very good, but no one will ever beat the original.

[@elliselisha7001]

I know it is quite off topic but does anyone know of a good website to stream new series online ?

[@harleycreed4107]

@Ellis Elisha Lately I have been using FlixZone. You can find it by googling =)

[@evedaniels8855]

It seems like a lot of them don't understand what "the music of the night" means to the phantom and by extension, them. He has spent years of his life not only crafting Christine's voice but crafting his music to fit her voice. Christine is then an irreplaceable tool for how he expresses the only beauty and the only live he feels he has ever known. And she throws it away by choosing Raoul. All this work, all his love, and all of the beauty he can contribute is rejected. Why? Because of something he cannot contol; his face (at least in his mind) When he sings this part it should be broken and desperate or at least in that vein. These phantoms, however are trying to be the flashiest, most dramatic performer. :/ I stand by Ramin as phantom. He is a self taught, emotional singer. In the 25th, his voice broke all over the place, he whispered, he nearly boke into tears but all of that helped his performance. I'm sorry for the long block of text lol.

[@emilymixay6923]

+Eve Tan I never thought about the meaning so much before, but you are so right! That really puts the last lines in perspective. And, I agree that Ramin is the best with the emotion.

[@TheMsiaddict]

Ben Forster is one of the best. Starting final lair with full of anger. Breath holding here and there. Full of shouting. And suddenly he gave his hope up in the one word "Choice". After listening to his version, other Phantoms were pale compared to him.

[@tony675434]

I love Michael Crawford but Ramin is my number 1 phantom cause all the movement and the emotion he puts into his words, its what literally makes the music take flight

[@marcuscameron8274]

Eve Tan you're right. The only ones that have done that effectively were Ramin, Michael, Colm and John-Owen

[@TheMsiaddict]

ZombieApocalyptica Not only them. There are many more.

[@DaxDives]

All of them are great singers, but some don't convey the right emotions. There should be a mix of anger, sadness, rejection, and pain. If you found out that the person you had loved for a long time and poured all of your life's passion into ran off with someone else, you wouldn't exactly be singing a pop ballad.

[@thatperformer3879]

dimeface couldn't agree with you more!!

[@AnimeStargrl15]

Which one do you think was the best?

[@sethheimsoth1705]

I believe that Michael Crawford was really good.

[@thatperformer3879]

Cait Killa JOJ

[@AnimeStargrl15]

Thatperformer387 I was talking to the original poster but cool haha

[@BabyLogarius]

The little lift at the end of "Music" by Mauer and Panaro are so very touching ❤

[@wrathofscorpias]

Top Ten Phantoms 10. Gerald butler (out of respect he was the movie and my first phantom) 9. Pual stanley (star child from kiss) 8.Steve barton (first person to play roul) 7. colm wilkison (first person to be the phantom unoffically) 6.robert guillaume (the replacement of michael crawford,the oldest person to play the role at 62 and the only african american to play the role) 5.hugh panaro ( his phantom is based of the book and other novels making his phantom the closest to the real phantom ) 4.john owens jones(longest running phantom) 3.ramin karimloo(phantom of the 25th anniversary and phantom in the sequel love neve dies) 2.peter joback( one of the highest singing voice of all the phantoms but this makes his voice extremly eerie at times also one of the 25th annivesary phantoms) 1.michael crawford(the first person to play the role his voice was very much what one would imagine his voice at times was eerie and at others very enchanting,played along side sarah brightman the wife of andrew lyod webber at the time,aswell as steve barton who went on to become the phantom,he had huge influence in many of the lyrics of the songs,phantoms ramin karimloo,john owens jones,and peter joback bowed down.)

[@Trainlover1995]

It's highly likely Norm will be in the role when me and my family go to NYC next spring.

[@KatieT97]

^nope Norm left. You'll be seeing James Barbour probably (or an understudy maybe)

[@nathanva1635]

BNSF1995 I never liked norm because cause his voice wasn't in the right area I get most aren't but I have expectations when comes to the phantom and norm didn't reach expectations at least for me

[@jaqueesl1938]

wrathofscorpias disagree 100%

[@HumidWarfareStudios]

I was privileged with getting to hear Peter Joback on broadway this spring before he left. He was great!

[@emilylatte6626]

My first time hearing Gary Mauer, he's amazing 😍

[@thejoyfulelizabeth]

I heard him live on tour... on “insolent boy”, my mouth literally dropped open. I couldn’t believe his voice... he was truly astounding in the role. ❤️

[@Abby-km6vr]

shout out to Gary Mauer for slaying this whole compilation like DAMN

[@BabyLogarius]

Right!!

[@richardtaylor6345]

I know. I literally replay his version at least 10 times

[@doc_1116]

He is soooo underrated... It's a shame

[@limechica]

RAMIN!! 10/10 omg so sad

[@raccoonjaxvarietyshow3051]

10/10 michle Crawford and 10/10 ramin

[@richardtaylor6345]

Gary Mauer and Ramin Karimloo are my favorite phantoms

[@Abby-km6vr]

Richard Taylor Yes! Finally some respect for Gary Mauer. I don’t know much about the guy, but his voice is seriously underrated!

[@richardtaylor6345]

@@Abby-km6vr yes 100%

[@leonardoassisbrasil2715]

Abigail Stein YES!!

[@mytarotea]

Michael Crawford and Ramin Karimloo definitely express the most power (or effect? not really the word im looking for exactly) so far. It's incredible

[@carliewiseman5446]

mytarotea emotion, perhaps?

[@BURZUMY3ah]

Feeling? Expression? Mood or vibe. Whatever the word i know what you mean

[@georgemaddison3263]

JOJ is underatted

[@QuiGoneGym77]

They were all amazing. But Ramin Karimloo's voice is just outstanding. My favorite

[@emilyhaff3127]

Michael Crawford and Ramin!!!♥♥♥

[@wieszczi]

Maestro Crawford 🖤, he put so much emotions, you can feel his pain yet his voice still remains both ghastly and angelic at the same time.

[@tonypellock5326]

I grew up listening to Michael Crawford and he will always be my favorite.

[@haleyguinn7186]

MICHAEL'S VOICE EXUDE THE MOST POIGNANCY OF THE PHANTOM'S PLIGHT

[@baileylanore]

I love how Colm Wilkinson's voice cracks a little when he says "now", like it's really hitting him that Christine is leaving him

[@annaberlinger9295]

2:40....and there he is! My angel of music! Sing to me, Ramin!

[@staravel]

I literally cried after hearing Ramin and Colm's version. And I didn't even realize I was listening to Colm. Their voice showed the brokenness of the Phantom

[@BloodyDahia]

I love how everyone's writing their favorite Phantom's surnames mostly expect for Ramin's. I find it rather funny. I have to say that my favorite is Ramin - althought he brought this line in the 25th anniversary so much more better and with raw emotion that always brings me to tears.

[@maryrice4315]

Gary Mauer, wow, was not expecting that. Beautiful, beautiful, nearly made me cry just in those few lines. Michael, Peter Karrie, and Hugh were all magnificent. Hugh was my favorite, but boy the other three are absolutely phenomenal as well. I've gone and made myself sad now.

[@poptartdom]

john owen-jones is my fave but almost all of them are really really really good

[@zeldacathou]

+poptartdom hallelujah another person who loves him more than ramin

[@sertorrhenclegane]

Michael Crawford is probably the best, but I see no love for Colm. I honestly love the way he says stuff. Perfectly pronounced, which means he's overcome the makeup that almost conquered Michael's performance.

[@catarinafrazao9643]

I also love Colm!!! I fell in love with his voice while watching the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert

[@Thedoctorjosh]

I'm out of breath just listening to this

[@sammi8696]

Ramin Karimloo is my favourite, so much passion and emotion is put into it...

[@thatweirdcatlady]

Am I the only one who has been in tears throughout the entire video? No matter the Phantom, this last line always gets me.

[@kingdomheartsfan7217]

Michael Crawford

[@jacksont79]

You gotta hand it to Gary Mauer though...that technique was incredible

[@altf1279]

Micheal, Ramin, JOJ, and Hugh are my favorites. Micheals voice in particular just shatters my heart into a thousand pieces, something about it just works.

[@achaea6587]

Gary Mauer’s vocals were the only in the entire list that truly sang words of mourning for how much regret he has for losing his Christine. As much as I love John Owen Jones and Ramin Karimloo, I think Gary Mauer’s clip in this video was perfection. His voice cracks perfectly and he sounds like he’s in the process of crying out his words.

[@karenpalmerkep]

To me, Gary will always be the Phantom. Each performance on the US tour which I saw, he was perfect (especially when his wife, Elizabeth Southard, played Christine.) Their chemistry was amazing! In their last performance (Dallas, TX), Gary had tears occasionally. I cried, too.

[@ericflores7705]

Howard McGillan was my first Phantom! He will always have a special place in my heart!

[@JavierNavejar33]

Ramin Karimloo , Hugh Panaro

[@samirsedky3324]

They are my favorites too

[@thejoyfulelizabeth]

I feel like Hugh Panaro’s voice resembles the tone that Michael Crawford brought to the role the most. That being said, Gary Mauer and Ramin Karimloo are my favorites, followed by JOJ... :)

[@richgouette]

Crawford, Mauer. I like Mauer's holding of the note at the end.. it works well IMHO And strangely, Colm's falls down the list for me, though as Jean Valjean...whoohoo he's de man

[@PaulTheillusionist]

In this particular line, Gary Mauer I thought was the best!

[@devydu]

I agree with you wholeheartedly that MC is THE Phantom. I like your description of his voice as "sweet, scary & seductive" which I find erotic.It's not too powerful & overbearing as other Phantom performers. And you're right that it is the whole package, not just the singing.Which is why MC became so popluar with the ladies after Phantom, performing shows, creating romantic song CD's & duets with Barbra Streisand (remember him as Cornelius in Hello Dolly?).MC will always be my phavorite phantom!

[@rebeccam4397]

Hello Dolly was first, of course, but yes! I have read that he never thought he was qualified for the part vocally, but sweet, scary and seductive are such great descriptors. I find some Phantoms too heavy on the vibrato, but he is perfect.

[@codelyokofan56]

All of them are amazing in their own ways. I've only seen Ramin in the 25th Anniversary since it's on Netflix, but every actor plays the part differently and that's perfectly fine. :3

[@silentobserver3791]

Thank you for posting this! I'm always surprised at the diversity of voices - some comfortable (Crawford, JOJ, Panaro - except for one note which sounded distinctly off, Karimloo), some very strained (Carpenter, McGillis, Karrie, even it seems, the indestructible Colm Wilkinson). At the end of the day, it's a matter of personal taste whom you think is best. I continue to favour Michael Crawford, not just because he was the first one I ever heard, but also for the incredible pain in his voice. He is, in that respect as well as in tone, the closest anyone gets to the Phantom of the original novel, who is most definitely a tenor. The trend in London at least has been to cast baritones, including Ramin K, and I think it's not a great idea, because the difference in range between Phantom and Raoul gets lost if you do, and because it's painful on the ear to hear them struggle with "let the music start to soar" and other Music of the Night vocal heights.

[@peacemaker1317]

The "soar" part is very hard for me lol i dont know what my vocal is but i still cant hit it

[@EmbraceTheInevitable]

Which note by Ramin sounded off?

[@silentobserver3791]

@@EmbraceTheInevitable not Karimloo, Panaro (listen to his 'the'. It goes slightly sharp. A risk if you are pushing it too long)

[@EmbraceTheInevitable]

@@silentobserver3791 Oh my bad I read that wrong. Thank you

[@khiemvu8667]

I don't think Ramin is a tenor, he played Valjean in the 2014 Broadway Revival of Les Mis, which is definitely a tenor role. Love Never Dies also has some C5's in Beauty Underneath, definitely out of the range of most baritones

[@richardterroni9433]

It will be over in February (at least on Broadway)

[@kyleighcooper5215]

Ramin. Some of the others either too high of a voice to portray "The Phantom" or too low and too much vibrato. Ramin's is perfected and matches the phantom title and is one of the best.

[@jordanvan.winkle]

Haha the reasons you don't like other phantoms are all the reasons I don't like Ramin 😂 We are all entitled to our own opinions though

[@meredithsaunders4052]

When Ramin Karimloo and Colm Wikinson sing this my heart literally stops

[@missnino0220]

Love these comparison videos! My personal favorites are Crawford and JOJ!

[@nathanschmidt4889]

Gary Maur takes the win on this one. Michael is the reigning king of it all, but Gary...he's something else. The unsung hero who provided one if the most compelling performances ever. To make it even better, his Christine was his wife and their closing performance was heartbreaking.

[@danielgreig5327]

While all of these guys are incredible the true genius here is ALW for giving us such an incredible sequence!

[@thatperformer3879]

Can't wait til the day Ben finally plays phantom!! He so deserves a shot he'd be fantastic at this

[@thatperformer3879]

Will Jones Ben Lewis! He was such an excellent phantom in LND, I really want to see him play the original phantom

[@donabellelels]

Thatperformer387 omg same lol

[@vicswift2439]

I just love all of these. I Love how much emotion is in 10+ bars of music. My all time Lloyd-Webber show.

[@writegirl422]

Michael Crawford and Hugh Panaro sound pretty similar.... I don't know if it's just me....

[@charleswilson9797]

I saw this on broadway shortly after my brain surgery. It was the best experience I've ever had.

[@KSlatexoxo]

I have such a thing for Michael Crawford 😋 always have, always will... So, of course he's my favorite.. Close second between John and Ramin, but all are amazing!

[@LittleBohoChick]

Michael Crawford will always be my angel of music

[@mrs.johnwinchester420]

Every time I hear Ramin sing this I cry. The feels he gives from this song though.

[@madelyneinot2126]

I like Ramin and Gerard!

[@samd2013]

Gerard FTW! Was kindof bummed it wasn’t included here, yes I know that was a movie but still.

[@issyismusic]

I fall in line with the widest accepted! Michael C (My God, that man's voice!), JOJ and Ramin K. I feel like they're good at portraying their respectively aged Phantom's...if that makes sense...

[@KillahKuin]

John Owen-Jones and Ramin Karimloo!

[@kellyryan6437]

I think they are all talented in their own right and are better singers than any of us could ever hope to be. That being said, My favorite is definitely Ramin, then probably Colm and Hugh. I also really liked Anthony Warlow, but he isn't on here.

[@SUPD100]

I like Ramin's voice!! Such elegance and perfection. I love his voice the best, but all were amazing as well.

[@ellagriffin]

GARY AND RAMIN! joj and micheal were also really good!

[@bigoldinosaur]

It will never be over, the music of the nigh!!!

[@pertsakakai7266]

1. Ramin Karimloo 2. M.C. 3. Gary Mauer Unpopular opinion but it’s mine

[@brevaldez7726]

John Owen Jones best captured the emotion, I think.

[@connieo.2619]

I’m so glad I found this 😂 it’s honestly my favorite musical part of the whole thing it’s such a stunning moment.

[@ZitaAnneReno]

Michael Crawford's voice always lifts my heart. He will always be the Phantom.

[@Phantom2687]

Earl Carpenter & Ramin Karimloo are my favourites, they are ALOT better live too. I also really like David Shannon, JOJ, Gary Mauer, John Cudia & Hugh Panaro. Tbh I like almost all of them..

[@MsLinneaRose]

Karrie did the one thing that ALW despises. He toyed with the original melody of the song. Did anyone else catch that?

[@altf1279]

Linnea Rose Yeah I didn't really like his version, felt weird

[@robertjames4528]

Michael crawford was the best phantom ebd of discussion

[@gamesport88]

I don't know if anyone's tried it, but if I were to play the Phantom, I would go an octave higher on "night." I am a tenor one so I would totally do that.

[@lucywallis400]

Don't know if anyone has tried it, but you know a lot of phantoms are tenors right?

[@gamesport88]

Yes, I do. I'm just saying that I'd like to try to go an octave higher on the last note. I have kind of a freak voice even for a tenor one. So..... yeah.

[@gamesport88]

Thanks!

[@Faded_Chew]

What are you doing then? Go out and audition! :P

[@Pango5697]

Michael Crawford and Hugh Panaro❤

[@rickardnyberg4899]

Gary Mauer, John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Hugh Panaro are my favourites............after Michael Crawford :)

[@haniyehlavoi3070]

Michael Crawford IS THE PHANTOM ...

[@madelynleytem4429]

My favorites: Gary Mauer, John Owen-Jones, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo, Hugh Panaro, John Cudia, and David Shannon.

[@mmgringoire2]

Thanks for making this video. This is actually my favorite part of Phantom. This is such a powerful line and makes me cry everytime.

[@deankeaton5665]

THEY'RE ALL FANTASTIC.

[@markvanhelsing1630]

There is only one Phantom, his name is MICHAEL CRAWFORD!!

[@elainecampbell9923]

michael crawerd is the best of them all

[@CanadianGuy2004]

Elaine Campbell Crawford

[@solarmaru49]

You must be a woman in her 50s losing her senses and faculties

[@themoley91]

why the hell am i watching this, this is gonna be stuck in my head for days (best have to be Michael Crawford, Ramin Karimloo, Colm Wilkinson and Gary Mauer imho. my parents saw Wilkinson do this in Toronto in the 90s. Never seen Phantom live but I just saw Ramin in Les Mis and DAMN.)

[@luannecampana-ok6kj]

Michael Crawford is and will always be the Phantom.

[@paigemhagy]

Hugh Panaro will always be my favorite.

[@nehaswamy9920]

Paige Hagy same

[@arianalamark4945]

Best Phantom is Michael Crawford. Although all of them were absolutely amazing!! I still have yet to see my first Phantom in 6th months! Chris Mann is going to be playing him and I heard he is ridiculously amazing so I can't wait!!! :D (and that lady you here crying during Hugh=Me)

[@TheMsiaddict]

The first is still the best.

[@TheMsiaddict]

***** The best vocally was Matthew Cammelle. His voice was floating, just like an angel.

[@patrickdisalvo9503]

THERE'S ONLY ONE PHANTOM. MICHAEL CRAWFORD.

[@angelcaldwell4190]

Can't disagree. Ramin is amazing, but Michael nailed the Phantom, hands down.

[@TimeandMonotony]

Straight facts.

[@aleemtz9953]

RAMIN

[@BraveMan5555]

Gary, JOJ, and Ramin are my favorites.

[@crazypoundpupp]

Mmm I love Ramin's beat then "niiiiight"

[@chrisdarcyxx8747]

Ramin will always be my favourite. He manages to sound broken-hearted while still sustaining that incredible power (I like Gary Mauer too for that reason), whereas some Phantoms are either not emotional enough or too soft.

[@flickymcbean]

Crawford, Crawford and more Crawford!

[@emmastraub6842]

Thank you Phantoms for giving us so many great performances throw the years

[@lukebradford]

They're all amazing, tbh (IMO). I can't pick a favourite. I will admit that I've never listened to Phantom all the way through, but have heard bits and pieces. I didn't even know there were so many versions. From this video, though, it's impossible for me to pick a favourite as all the versions here sound amazing. I don't have the emotional attachment to any particular version or 'so and so was my first, and they're still my favourite'. I have that with Jesus Christ Superstar (somewhat, my first exposure to it was the 2012 arena tour DVD which I still have and still love, but my favourite version is actually the second one I heard, the 96 cast recording with Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla), but I'm pretty much completely unbiased with Phantom. Very much impartial.

[@RachelHaanford]

Hmm....all so good. Michael Crawford is my true Angel of Music (I'm seriously in love with his voice) and is my absolute favorite Phantom, John-Owen Jones is awesome, Earl Carpenter is one of my favorites, Ramin Karimloo is also a favorite, no one beats Colm Wilkinson's expression.....all so good....

[@amybaker4654]

Wilkinson has problems with breathe control,he was fine as Valjean but by the time he took on Phantom,his voice had deteriorated.

[@ohchristine5172]

oh, i miss scott davies.....he is my favorite. great voice and performans and the graceful handmotions i´ve ever seen

[@niklel4036]

Some great voices here ,but my favourite will always be Crawford with that special something in his voice and his emotional approach!

[@theartofbeingcompletelyran1788]

I Really Like Crawford, but the best Phantom is Karmiloo... Hugh Panaro, aniway, it's great...

[@mememex-t1v]

Crawford has an amazing tune and natural voice. The unique.

[@tylerashlock4666]

Michael Crawford 10 put of 10

[@aryask1918]

For me, it's a tie between JOJ, Ramin, and John Cudia. I actually got to see John Cudia in NYC back in 2010 and there were times he had me literally shaking! Though I must say watching the London 25th anniversary with Ramin has a similar effect. ;)