OBSESSED! The Phantom of the Opera: Tales From the Pit

www.playbill.com/video
Seth Rudetsky explores terrifying tales from the pit with Jan Mullen, a violinist who has been playing in the pit of The Phantom of the Opera for 23 years! Plus, former Christine, Gay Willis takes the Christine signature high E challenge.

[@naomic2520]

". . . which is the top string broke-" "S N A P P E D"

[@scotrule6128]

The ‘E’ string

[@MsBroadway209]

Awwwww the violinist is so innocent and adorable in the beginning. She isn't as loud and and crazy broadway power house singers Seth brings in. She looked so nervous (like she was out of her element) at the start haha. What an amazing musician. Brava!

[@edgarlopez7369]

Taylor G i think she looks like Meryl Streep

[@sunnystreet4950]

Omg yes I so agree. She was sooooo cute and then just ROCKED that solo like she had been. I’m no violinist (I played clarinet) and even I was about to have a breakdown from listening to that part lmfao

[@hansi6119]

As soon as I saw the violinist and the words "Phantom of the Opera", I knew they were going to talk about that solo. That thing is notorious among violinists.

[@paulanthonyhoeflich8988]

The piece is so beautiful.

[@peterinfield1466]

I’ve been a classical violinist for 20 years and even my 4 year old toddler could play that easily.

[@hansi6119]

@@peterinfield1466 Good for you. Brag to someone who cares.

[@peterinfield1466]

LeFantômedel'Opéra kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaWmYmSnjLOIe5o that’s a real solo!

[@peterinfield1466]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGfdgJeceLx4p6M

[@rileywodka511]

Bless that woman. She looked so nervous and out of her element. She did so well and was amazing. Great job.

[@leif1075]

You mean Seth?

[@juliebrehove6775]

The minute I saw violinist from Phantom and then Seth began by talking about a part that was scary, I knew exactly which part he was talking about. Brava to this violinist!

[@sweeney60]

+Julie Sánchez I don't know about you but I think thats my favorite part in whole score. The rest of the show seems to be so bombastic and yet the powerfulness of just that violin and the piano fills the whole theater.

[@juliebrehove6775]

+sweeney60 I can totally understand that. My favorite part in the score is the "Hannibal Ballet" when the ballerinas dance. To me, that's such a beautiful piece of music because it's so soft and lovely.

[@sweeney60]

+Julie Sánchez Yeah I kind of feel that Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals have a tendency to be over orchestrated and this show in particular I think suffers from that. So the parts I love is when he just lets the music breath.

[@jackcohenourfilms6209]

What song is it in?

[@juliebrehove6775]

Jack1 The violin solo in the video is during Christine's journey to the cemetery, right after the Don Juan rehearsal and right before she sings "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

[@vcabrera5396]

Sustain for me!

[@christinedaaewannab4559]

Haha!!

[@christinedaaewannab4559]

Three wonderfully talented people in a single video...(here comes a pun) in one combined

[@trentonboston5192]

ba dum tss

[@felicitykirk2401]

Omg but let's be honest here journey to the cemetery is one of the most beautiful musical pieces in phantoms it is just gorgeous to listen to

[@mackelliotschaefer]

omg Jan is so cute :) "Have you been on camera before?" "..nope" awwww

[@martinmurphyart]

I worked with Gay in the Toronto production years ago as the Slave Master. She looks as pretty as ever! Hi Gay!

[@leadingladybug]

I LOVE this violin solo before "Wishing"... one of my favorite parts of Phantom.

[@tiffanybrown1001]

Mine tooooo!!!

[@SlowxParentsCrossing]

I used to play violin in high school, so that solo makes me cry in happiness and fear at the same time. Fantastic

[@wickedgirl925]

that solo gives me chills every single time. I also love the 3 second musical interlude before the "in all your fantasies" verse of the title song.

[@landonmitchell15]

i would kill to have more obsesseds like this

[@sunnystreet4950]

Holy carp, I’m a musician (clarinet) so I was always curious about the violin part. Solos are bad enough as a pit in musicals but that violin solo is just amazing! Props to everyone who plays it every single time. Mad respect for Jan! She deserves to be on camera omg thank you so much for shining light on her!

[@littleLotte8]

I freaking love that violin solo. SO MUCH.

[@peterjmaida2057]

Good performance. The violinist was great and wow that singer can hold a note!!

[@navymiguelito]

Such an intriguing and entertaining peek into the orchestra pit! More "Tales from the Pit"!!!

[@Cathee.M.]

That violin solo is one of my favourite parts of the show, it's absolutely entrancing! The violinists who perform it have my utmost respect and admiration

[@jadeallisonhollingsworth]

But, gosh, is that violin solo beautiful!

[@DavidLopez-nr7wp]

“Sustain for me” D E A D

[@AlexiaDark]

Oddly enough, that's my FAVOURITE musical moment of the show. That and Twisted Every Way.

[@DavidLopez-nr7wp]

“Sustain for me!” LOL

[@jennaleonard3870]

Some productions have them singing an E flat instead of an E natural so she might have bed right on

[@christine-nc9ib]

i believe only the movie did an e flat?? eh, maybe i'm wrong though.

[@Mastershaley]

Willa Edge The movie did Db6, but it was edited up until Eb6 :) though, Sarah Brightman & numerous of the oldests Christine's sung the notes live in production (A. before the change, though there was a lot of noise from the background B. when the precording failed to play.)

[@brrrnaner]

I can sing the entire musical, EXCEPT that High note. Once I start practicing with a coach, my goal is to be able to complete the song!

[@livelaughlove0209]

Did you get that coach yet?

[@disneydanny2]

you mean the high note in the title song? that's why that note is *RECORDED* so actresses playing Christine don't have to sing it live, though I *THINK* Gay actually *DID* sing it live in the show but I believe she is the only one that has.

[@brrrnaner]

I'm sorry...did you say recorded? RECORDED? Also, no I haven't gotten a coach, I'm too poor, but instead I (was) taking community college vocal lessons. Everything is on hold, as we all know..

[@disneydanny2]

@@brrrnaner yes the Title song vocals and the high note are recorded. the only part that Is live is the Phantom's dialogue towards the end of the song. in some productions the singing switches to live singing when the boat comes on stage.

[@scotrule6128]

I AGREE with all of the comments below - just something to add that I’ve missed in previous listens. I have HUGE RESPECT for Jan (the Violinist), for adjusting her dynamics prior and during Gay’s entrance/singing. TRULY WORLD CLASS, in such a beautiful touch of essence most (including myself for a long while), missed, yet worth the understanding.

[@peterinfield1466]

Scot Rule she’s not that good.

[@Margotxmargot]

SUSTAIN FOR MEEEEEEE!!!

[@carly3592]

SAME!!! Twisted Every Way & that violin solo are my favorite musical moments of the show, too!!! They're both so beautiful!

[@rachel869]

Oh my goodness, brava!! It was funny, before she even started playing, I was like, oh god, it's the Pre-Graveyard violin solo. And really, Seth?! Gay Willis is your absolute favorite? Not even Rebecca Caine?

[@SamSkii14]

I could just listen ot her sing it over and over and over again! it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

I like Sierra Boggess, but I've always found her vowels very hard to cope with. For example, she clearly says "Aingel" with a tall I in the song, The Mirror.

[@HellyMCRIeroWay]

Hazel Grey I totally feel you on that. How she says "calls" always makes me shiver, not in a good way. She has an AMAZING voice, but yeah how she pronounces certain things always throws me.

[@tobyfinney768]

@@HellyMCRIeroWay and when she says “they have their season, so do we” in think of me, the “so” sounds like she’s saying “soy” lmaoo

[@jonathanmosebach2921]

Such a beautiful, but very ethereal violin part! I love how it modulates from major to minor! As a tenor, after tea and a good warm-up and after singing for about 20-30 minutes can hit that E#!

[@MarkvanBeelen]

Seth, you're so amusing! Love your videos! And thank you for letting this wonderful soprano feature in it. It was a thrill!

[@user-zl7mu4wh1f]

I adore this solo!!

[@erika8627]

Thank you for making this video. So fun to meet the violinist who was there with Michael and Sarah!

[@The_Dylan_Snow]

That solo (and instrumental afterwards) is my favorite part of the show, and arguably one of the best (solos at least) in musicals.

[@barbaraarmy3974]

Brava to having a musician on!!!

[@Sandwich_Bites]

This is one of my favorite motifs in the show!

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

I totally knew what part they were talking about before she began. I didn't really think about how scary that must be...I used to play in the pit and, yeah, a totally solo solo out of nowhere would be really intimidating!

[@sunnystreet4950]

blackngold cuttlefish i was in the pit too in high school for Oliver. There was a violin solo but since we didn’t have a violin I had to do it on clarinet and I wanted to cry every damn time bc the actor kept changing things EVERY SHOW but at least my director was able to help guide me. Now for POTO I can’t imagine the stress EVERY NIGHT like I would’ve cried OML Jan is a queen for being able to pull it off

[@blackngoldcuttlefish3390]

@@sunnystreet4950 Lol aw, I feel bad it was so stressful for you every night!

[@huka0104]

♥ it. Thats my favorite part! Love the music!

[@zoeevans2929]

Good to know the same antics happen in a professional pit ...

[@scotrule6128]

OF COURSE THEY DO, we’re all human after all...

[@dchung70]

Thank you, this section reveals real story in pit that are so important but not in spot light

[@MM-tx7gi]

THAT WAS AMAZING!

[@phsycopiano]

Saw phantom a few weeks ago and during the part where violin solo begun the violinist messed up and missed one note. I felt so bad for that person.

[@whatdoyousuppose]

@AlexiaDark I agree completely with both! I literally replay that violin solo a bunch of times on my iPod whenever I listen to Notes/Twisted Every Way (which is my favorite track of the soundtrack!)

[@MrDefyinggravity1]

OMG she hits that note effortlessly

[@allysonmessina1785]

The high note was slightly flat, but shoot thats a tough note to hit.

[@allysonmessina1785]

so i defintely give her props!

[@itsdune079]

Yeah, the 6th octave is pretty tough for singers +Allyson Messina

[@MagicalMusic34]

Allyson Messina She did very good, considering. It is a tough note! I'm trying to hit it myself and...Ugh...

[@scotrule6128]

Jesus flower child Could you sing the note? How do you know it’s “slightly flat” say compares to a little flat, or greatly sharp?!?!?

[@benlevy2088]

@@scotrule6128 ... because you can hear it...? She's a brilliant singer, but she is slightly flat on top. No shame in that, it's an off-the-cuff top E7, but you don't need to be able to sing the note yourself to hear it's flat!

[@zerbie22]

Jan!! My Bus buddy and Neighbor! And BTW the panic for Christines too! Always looked for conductor cue too!

[@carly3592]

@AlexiaDark Same with me!! I always said that if I ever learned the violin, this would be the one passage of music that I would start practicing the most!! It's my favorite musical moment of the show; from the beginning of the violin solo to when she arrives at the graveyard and starts singing "Wishing..." :)

[@actorsnonactors]

AMAZING. Killed it.

[@alexcampos965]

The last part was beautiful though

[@chumpythebunny9000]

Violinists: How intense do you want your melody, sir? Andrew Lloyd Webber: Y E S

[@rebeccakean8194]

That was great!!!

[@MusicForTheSoul101]

very true. I was brought up with her voice. My parents were privileged to attend one of the original Canadian cast performances. She was my favorite Christine until I heard Sierra Boggess. She in my opinion is the ultimate Christine. Not to bash Rebecca Caine. She is my second favorite..I still adore her!

[@Mastershaley]

Taurian Teelucksingh This is not Rebecca Caine. This is Gay Willis, she was Rebecca's alternate & then became Christine after she finished her run.

[@twilightsagalover360]

So beautiful

[@JohnPerez718]

Its impressive that she's able to hit that note. However, I'm sure she didn't have to hit that note more than once in the show. AND I'm sure that during the rehearsal process, there were other songs/scenes that needed work, so they probably didn't have her singing an 'E' all day. So 6 days in a row is impressive, but not as impressive as 8 times a week, or throughout the length of an entire tour :)

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

I saw Marni Raab a few weeks ago and Jennifer Hope Wills a year ago and they were both absolutely incredible.

[@maszlagma]

@AlexiaDark I love that violin part too!

[@AJolie36]

sierra boggess sings this part so effortlessly.

[@junobrosas]

Lucy Elizabeth yessss forever will be the best Christine (my dream role)

[@ChiroVideosTVlondon]

How am I only seeing this now 10 years later?

[@kmb1023x]

this lady rocks!

[@emanuelosorio9610]

Only accompanists know there was a tempo adjustment when the vocals come in, lol

[@nitekat007]

cool video! imagine playing the same show every night for 23 years??? i did a show for 8 months...and by the end of i was bored to tears!!

[@tiffanybrown1001]

Absolutely LOVE this violin solo. What's Jan doing now? Maybe getting a little rest now?

[@leahgreaves9022]

Omg I sweated about this so much when I did it

[@italiann]

I have the phantom musical book and gay autogragh it for me and I still have it

[@nialltownley1788]

He is the epitome of showbiz

[@PiecesOfRainbow7]

She's so sweet!

[@alexcampos965]

The girl singing was okay but the violinist was beautiful

[@LPM12]

Learn something new everyday...

[@amirahhill8951]

I know that the violin solo goes from D to A and E to A and so on and then it changes to E to B flat, etc. and then, does it switch to second position or third for E to G (G on the D string)? How exactly does that part work? Please answer my question, I really want to know!

[@Equus21]

1:51 I guessed what part it was. Phan

[@hannahllewellyn2613]

Amazing with volin

[@hannahllewellyn2613]

Love phantom of opera am team phantom Erik as me as Christine

[@anthonyhenrysmith]

i am guessing the exact violin section before it comes up in the video and it kind of is supposed to symbolize "father playing the violin"

[@knightridernina]

Is there violin sheet music for this solo? I've looked everywhere and can't find it. I am learning to play the violin and have always loved this part and would like to learn it.

[@bigblue207]

You might try looking around a music store or the Hal Leonard (or other reputable music publisher) for some kind of published score for phantom of the opera. Maybe musescore (the website or app) as well but I think the accuracy can be a bit more problematic depending what you find (the best way to get around that is to look at multiple uploads and find commonality, as it typically is receiving information from unverified sources). However, before you do either, I strongly recommend you sit down and really try working it out by ear. You might think you don’t have the musical skill for it, and I can tell you you’re wrong. True it might take longer and be more frustrating to sit down and really try to find every correct note one by one, but any musician worth their salt MUST be able to develop a functional ear for music and be able to vocalize as well (which can most easily come with humming scales/modes as you play them). There’s no way to do it other than just to do it, keep practicing, and keep improving. You don’t need to have years of practice on an instrument to start doing it, and the sooner you do the better your progress and playing will be so I really can’t emphasize this enough. It really works best starting out with pieces you feel strongly towards because it keeps you engaged and gives you an immense sense of pride and accomplishment when you figure it out. Then you can always look at the Hal Leonard publication afterward and correct yourself and see where you might have misheard, but at least you tried. Eventually this skill will lead to transcription, where you yourself are able to write down a piece of music you hear. These are crucial skills for any musician, and while they are advanced they take years to master so starting early is key. This phrase really isn’t that melodically complex either, once you figure out the first part you’re just shifting the starting note around by various intervals, but all the intervals within the phrase remain the same. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the transcription for this exact solo before “wishing you were somehow here again” on violin, since for one thing the phrase is already simple enough but for another it’s repeated a few other times in the play, just by instruments other than the violin but that doesn’t change the melody at all. You might listen to the play, try to find those parts, and see where they also might be published. Sorry for the firehose, I hope you at least have something to think about, and let me know if you have any questions

[@lizaspills]

I'm seeing Phantom for the first time tomorrow. What did Seth mean about one part being recorded?

[@oPeRa1923]

I wish i could reach that E again.

[@maddimagpie]

It's good to know that while I cannot play this solo properly, I got the fingerings right!

[@mijcummi]

If they would just hire a real coloratura for once, they could have all the E's and F's they wanted.

[@JoshJNYC]

The problem with using an actual coloratura is that Christine must also produce rich, resonant notes well below the staff (going down to the G below middle C). A coloratura would be perfect for the last 8 bars of the title song, but would literally be unable to sing the first 2/3 of it.

[@orion8835]

Yes it is a long range for one voice to contend with. However there are sopranos who do have the extension. I just saw this production again. It still has a effect despite the obvious tricks played to guarantee the experience. The soprano was very girlish and childlike in tone and look with a bubbly soubrette sound with a bit too much flutter . I have known more Lyric Coloratura voices to do it as well as Light Lyric coloraturas. The soubretee experience is VERY different from the coloratura ones. I frankly enjoy a Christine that is more lyrical with the top secure and the bottom smoother. The bubble bubble of the soubrette suits the character but the music becomes very sensuous and suddenly that sort of soprano can sound far too childish. I also prefer a large Carlotta vocally.

[@jonathanmosebach2921]

Especially for the lines "past the point of no return" that gets low in the range!

[@KryptoniteStuff]

Is the whole number really lip synced? I thought they kept singing as they went backstage

[@freebird2341]

Nah cuz just the high e

[@haannaahkaylee]

+SongRainbows Do you know if Sierra did it live?

[@yasnielmua9293]

+haannaahkaylee Yes sierra did do it live at the Royal Albert Hall Show , She can actually sing it. The only parts that I recall that were recorded in the Royal Albert Hall Show were the parts the phantom (Ramin) was speaking when he wasn't on stage. as well as his evil laughs.

[@christine-nc9ib]

+Yasniel DeArmas sierra sang the title song live? i doubt that due to the fact that one of the reasons they prerecord is because of the movement backstage…. is there an article or something that you can provide where it says that? i'm not trying to pull some 'site your sources' shit, i'm genuinely curious because i've wondered this.

[@SongRainbows]

+haannaahkaylee On the 25th Anniversary, no. The only one I know of that's been confirmed entirely live is the Oliver Awards with JOJ.

[@christine-nc9ib]

everyone who's commenting stuff about sierra on here really needs to expand their horizons lmao

[@icomeandgobybubble87]

That note is amazing. Luckily, I can hit that note as well. :) My highest note is a high F6. YAH SOPRANOS!

[@junobrosas]

Oh no, 666th like. Does that mean the Phantom himself will pay me a visit? Although, if it's Ramin, fine by me ;)

[@jonathanmosebach2921]

No it means you are sitting in his box!

[@thegoliard]

@AlexiaDark Are we the same person? Those are my two favorite moments too.

[@kevingodwin5555]

YES GAWD

[@ashleythorpe7933]

2:35 Bach Toccata and fugue in d minor

[@ssbpichu326]

3:10 I hate that I know that's from Ugh a wug in Peter Pan XD

[@thenewclassic3136]

Is the bariolage-section really that hard? I mean, it‘s made easier by the fact that the lower note is an empty string.

[@wickedphant0m]

The awkward moment when her high E was kind of flat...

[@wickedphant0m]

umm...that awkward moment when her high E is an Eb... But the rest of her cadenza was FABULOUS.

[@scotrule6128]

It’s not a cadenza hun...

[@KayleighYoung0]

:D I'm jealous!

[@aabc921]

You know what? I'm a comedian now 😂😂

[@JohnThomWebb]

Well, I'm confused. That part is on tape? I've seen it 3 times and each Christine was different there and none of them as good as Sarah Brightman in the original cast recording.

[@3jdoris]

the main theme is dubbed on broadway???? on nooo you shattered my world

[@bigblue207]

They sang it to record it, no sense in overstressing their voices to prove a point they already made

[@3jdoris]

@@bigblue207 ...it's theatre

[@bigblue207]

@@3jdoris yeah, and they sing other parts, but why risk damaging some voices doing that E every night when it’s unnecessary. People get tired and sick as the show season goes on and it’s easier to lose support. That’s an intense note. I mean I don’t know but it all makes sense to me. It is what it is.

[@3jdoris]

@@bigblue207 You're absolutely right, fair point

[@MagicalMusic34]

Scary thing is that I know where everything seen here is in each song, and when down to the second. ..I watch Phantom too much. #SorryNotSorry

[@itsdune079]

Do you watch bootlegs on a third-party website or do you see it live?

[@MagicalMusic34]

priscilla lim, I own it on DVD (25th Anniversary @ Royal Albert) and listen to the Soundtrack a shit ton. I want to see it live though, that will (hopefully if it comes back here) be my next show.

[@itsdune079]

MagicalMusic34 That's pretty rad. Where is "here" for you?

[@MagicalMusic34]

priscilla lim Australia. :) Flippin' hot over here atm. Where are you?

[@itsdune079]

MagicalMusic34 Canada! I'm actually seeing Phantom on Broadway on Friday. I could, I guess, let you know how it is. Ali Ewoldt seriously is the cutest. I may or may not have time to meet her. I've seen clips of her playing Christine on Bway and I find it intriguing her interpretation of Christine. It's somewhat comedical, which is really interesting. Even in Past the Point of No Return she adds humour.

[@wickedphant0m]

Because he's like "Gaye hit the E every night live!"...and then she didn't hit it.

[@hannahlynn8028]

im kinda sad that every time seth has a series, they always stop

[@SingingGeek05]

I can hit that almost any given day... and the G# above it :) Bravo to her! That note isn't easy by any means

[@RaphaConrad]

I can hit that high E!!!! In music terms it's C6 or c3 :)

[@youtubepasserby8339]

Um, you MEAN E6***?? x(