Top 10 European Musicals (non-English)

Disclaimer: This list is subjective, based on my personal preferences.
The true purpose of this list is to draw attention to some of the amazing European musicals that are largely overlooked in English speaking countries.

[@annawlazel6428]

I admire the fact that the European musical scene has been thriving happily for so many years without existing in the popular culture at all. And it's so incredible!

[@arlekino0792]

Elisabeth is a masterpiece of a musicals world. The concept, the story, the songs, like it was written specificaly for me.

[@fallforasong]

I want to see Elisabeth right now.

[@mashaschmitt]

Me. Absolutely me

[@RealAngelOfMusic]

This is a full recording of it and it has English subtitles ❤️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3jdZaSpmsaretU These two are my favorites for Elisabeth and Death: Pia Douwes, Uwe Kröger😊 enjoy❤️

[@gwendyverstappen8763]

Search it on Youtubd

[@lily7459]

@@RealAngelOfMusic Yeeees Essen 2002 is the best 😍😍😍

[@georgewashingmachine3957]

@@RealAngelOfMusic yassss Essen 2002!!!

[@heuballen1751]

As an austrian i am always so happy to have this nationality, when i remember the the two masterpieces "Tanz der vampie" and "elisabeth" came from us

[@Abendschatten]

I think what this list prooves, is that Kunze and Levay make amazing musicals

[@vornamenachname7509]

I absolutely love Tanz der Vampire and Elisabeth. But the others also seem to be amazing 😍

[@EpixAndroid]

1:48 I LOVE Oedo Kuipers! If it wasn’t for your multi language video for “Die Schatten Werden Länger”, KZbin would not have put in “Wie Wird Man Seinen Schatten Los?” as a suggested video, and I never would have come across him. Thank you very much!

[@blutauge3399]

Elisabeth😍😍😍 I'm in love with this Musical, but the other Musicals like Romeo et Juliette are beautiful too😊 Sorry for my bad englisch, best greetings from Germany 😁😅

[@0Lionne0]

Love your list

[@juliak412]

Lionne, to be completely honest, I've never really felt drawn to Broadway musicals, yet European ones get me every single time. I don't know, maybe I just have not yet discovered a good broadway one. I thought Romeo et Juliette would be put on the first place too :D Glad I was wrong, Elisabeth deserves all the love: the acting, the costumes and the camera work in the 2011 version of it is indescribable. Pity not a lot of people know of this masterpiece.

[@0Lionne0]

@@juliak412 Of course it's a matter of taste. :) I agree, it would be great if Elisabeth would be acknowledged more, but when I see how they ruined Tanz der Vampire on Broadway, I don't know if I want English speaking countries to discover it. ;)

[@lesley3398]

@@0Lionne0 Yep, I agree with on that, TDV Broadway version is a disaster, indeed.

[@evermore-1574]

Is it bad that I kind of like them not being super well known outside of Europe/Asia? Like I dont have to see crappy Broadway remakes or worse and it's something for just us to enjoy.

[@PixieDust18]

I'm so happy to see Mozart l'opera rock in this list, it's my favorite musical!

[@Theturtleowl]

When I saw the title of this video, I just started singing "Les rois du monde... on peur de tout."

[@rubenverdonck]

You also must check out the Dutch musicals "3 Musketiers", "Soldaat van Oranje" and "Petticoat", and the Belgian Flemish musicals "Daens", "14-18" and "40-45". I think at least some of them deserve a spot to ;)

[@lulana9545]

@vernice jill Magsino The story. We're talking the ridiculous amazing Dutch musical. That had gems like Engel aus Kristall in the German version.

[@AnntheTheatreFan]

Wow! It's so great to see "Monte Cristo" appreciated❤ It was one of my first live musicals, definitely remains among my favourites, and one of the best original Russian musicals. Seen it just last month once again😂 "István, a Király" is amazing! Seen it in Budapest couple of years ago, very powerful experience. And all the german and austrian productions of course are just the best. In fact I haven't suspected that so many of my favourite musicals are European 😅

[@juliak412]

OMG, could not have agreed more with this list. Every single musical is ranked just like how I would personally rank it! And I'm still trying to wrap my mind around where you find all these high-quality bits and pieces. As always, your editing skills are a pure work of art, makes me want to rewatch all the musicals again :D Thank you so much for this, because of it I actually discovered two new musicals I've never heard of before! Patiently waiting for your next upload!

[@huju6172]

Elisabeth is may favorite 😍😍😍. I love Pia Douwes 😍 and she plays it so wonderfully.

[@Kinestezja]

My list would be: 1. Tanz der Vampire 2. Elisabeth 3. Everything else Michael Kunze touched 4. The rest

[@Ayatsuki]

"Everything else Michael Kunze touched" - 100%.

[@patokira118]

Istenem...szuper lett ez is mint akármelyik másik videód...tetszik az ötlet...Az első 2 helyre nem mertem volna fogadni.... Nálam Romeo és Júlia visz mindent.! Csak igy tovább :)

[@kasia1milka15]

I was kinda waiting for Russian Master & Margarita, it has some of my favourite songs and well, i adore Ivan Ozhogin as Woland. Sheer vocal power that that man posesses is unbelievable.

[@amelisonger]

Ozhogin is really amazing in all his roles. I remember his amazing performance in Nord-Ost

[@cphaura9968]

Romeo et Juliette 2001 version my favorite non English musical

[@guardian4803]

In Tanz der Vampire Alfred (the professors assistent) is accually the main character. It was confirmed by the the writers and if you look at how the story moves, Alfred is in nearly all of the scenes. Just wanted to say that.

[@RuffDuddie]

The swedish musical Kristina is a masterpiece. Written by the men from ABBA. Sadly there are no bootlegs, but the soundtrack is gorgeous.

[@LamarinIllustrations]

All these musicals look amazing !! If you guys want to see more musical I definitely recommend the French musical Le Roi Soleil. It is about the reign of Louis XIV of France. The costumes were beautiful, and the songs are really cool with a very cool casting !! 🥰☺️ It is my favorite musical with Romeo et Juliette.

[@a_platypus]

Thank you so much for this list!!! I recently watched (and absolutely loved) Tanz der Vampire and have been looking for more non-English musicals to watch, so this is really useful! I watched Elisabeth yesterday and it’s amazing :D I’m thinking of watching one of the Mozarts next :)

[@annamattos8627]

I'm glad to see Romeo and Juliet, Rebecca and Notre Dame de Paris on the list, I love them all so much! I would have included Le Roi Soleil and the Hungarian version of Romeo and Juliet too, the last one because it is so different from the original French version.

[@hannahlee6731]

thats it im moving to europe. the musicals there are EXTRORDINARY and this just proves my point

[@echotang8228]

WOW，it's really great! Thank you for making this musical list and I recommend another Russian Musical Anna karenina, it's also made by Moscow Opretta.

[@fallenidol_453]

I've always wondered what Istvan, a kiraly was about, but I'm intrigued about that premise now! I'll have to look it up at some point. EDIT: One year later... it's now one of my favorite musicals!

[@4somethings]

do you happen to have a link? i’m having a hard time finding it with english subtitles!

[@agi.szeles]

@@4somethings drive.google.com/file/d/1ly-mOONVxnLCAHcbGYtZAolyqKmgzp8R/view

[@theakichu4126]

super love this!!! thank you for the awesome recomendations! I love Tanz der Vampire and Elisabeth too (deffo in my top 10)

[@charlenka]

and i hoped that polish Metro would get at least honorable mention x'd still, amazing list :) I'm so glad that Rebecca and BOTH Mozarts are here ^ ^

[@martinsorenson1055]

Wonderful and exciting list. Some, I have never heard of but I am now interested! Some, I have heard of but haven't seen. And one, I have been involved with backstage! I'm not French, but I know the score to Starmania!

[@MichielBLKorte]

Loved this list, couldn't agree more! I would also recommend "3 Musketiers" and "Soldaat van Oranje/Soldier of Orange" these Dutch musicals are both phenomenal.

[@CielBlanche]

When Elisabeth comes on at #1 it just proves how it blows everything else away!

[@la-esmeralda]

You did a great job!😃👍🏻

[@pomidorkac]

Thank you! It is wonderful video

[@Ryzhhhh]

thank you very much for the selection, discovered several new musicals. author, did you watch the Russian musical "last test"("Последнее испытание")? maybe you will like it, i was waiting for him in this top With love from Russia

[@mashaschmitt]

There are russian musicals!?! Omg I’m so excited and need to learn them all now!

[@Ryzhhhh]

@@mashaschmitt yes) I can advise a couple, but I don't know if they have English subtitles

[@mashaschmitt]

@@Ryzhhhh I speak Russian so no need lol

[@abelcsongradi4031]

The Stephen the king (István a király) is a most lovely rockopera for hungarian people,and Sylvester Lévay is a hungarian music writer,and he write the most exeting music in the world Greetings from Hungary 😉

[@MadameChristie]

Neat. Had no idea he wrote stuff alongside the acting

[@Nouthwash]

Lévay didn't write István a Király.

[@aci01]

@@Nouthwash I think Ábel meant it as two separate statements, because it's very well known in Hungary who the creators of István a király are, while Lévay Sylvester is only truly known by musical enthusiast.

[@gvolk5536]

Аж приятно стало:)

[@nicolagriffin-appadoo7165]

I am so happy to discover this you tube clip. I wish that they could be made into films with English subtitles available for purchase.

[@ILivetoCWickedAgain]

Me, getting closer to the end of the video: "is this going to be Elisabeth slander?"

[@wassa1213]

This list is really good and I'm pleased that a musical from my country (Russia) is also there. But I don't think Monte Cristo is the best russian musical. It is far not as spectacular as The count Orlov, IMHO. It was made by the Moscow Operetta too and mostly the same actors act there. But the best musical in Russian in my opinion is Nord-Ost. Songs, dansing, acting and decorations are perfect. Nord-Ost was really popular in 2001, but in 2002 there was a terrorist attack with lots of victims. The musical has not been restored since that, but you can watch it on KZbin.

[@buddyatiny]

Ok maybe because I'm French but....French musicals are truly masterpiece❤💜💗 My top 3 is : 1 : Romeo and Juliette 2 : Starmania 3 : Mozart l'opéra rock

[@user-rn4hz7gy7o]

What about Notre Dame de Paris?

[@Valfara770]

On that I love a lot, that wasn't on this list is: Le Roi de Soleil! Not sure how I even found it, just stumpled over it one day and totally fell in love with it (and the actor of the king :P) And I'm not even French!

[@yahyamelihayaksz1174]

Why notre dame isnt on this list? My favourite musical theatre is nddp I rather nddp to all And i will watch these are. Thank you

[@TobniBaqi]

In Korea, there are many creative musicals such as Frankenstein, Pimat Golyeonga, and Dorian Gray made in Korea. I recommend that you watch it, too!😃😃😃

[@4somethings]

do you know where i could watch them with english subtitles?

[@vanne3159]

Not certain if this is even possible, but have you ever seen Soldaat van Oranje? I suppose it doesn't quite fit in this category but having seen it live I thought that it was pretty amazing.

[@LamarinIllustrations]

I haven’t seen it in the comments so I’ll be the one saying it : first time seeing and hearing about Mozart the musical (Germany) and omg the cast looks absolutely hot and are killing it. Goosebumps. Why haven’t I hear of it sooner ?? I live like two hours away from Germany, why did you hide this from me, Germany ? 😭😂😂❤️

[@lilia3944]

To be fair, Mozart isn't actually from Germany, but from Austria (Vienna). But yeah, I live in Germany and I only discovered this musical a few months ago, it's great

[@LamarinIllustrations]

@@lilia3944 Oh Ok, my bad ! :o :)

[@lulana9545]

If you're interested in seeing Mozart! live, it will be shown at Tecklenburg, Lower-Saxony, Germany, next summer. And knowing Tecklenburg the cast is going to be insane. Pre-sales started two days ago.

[@theakichu4126]

if you don't know about it--> I highly suggest checking Mar i Cel out ( it's a Catalan musical about pirates and the music is amazing) there was a German production with jan ammann as Saïd ( the main character) AMAZING!

[@mnstrmisha]

I personally like the ST Petersburg version of Dumas “Monte Christo” WAY more. It’s called ”The Count of Monte-Christo” centers around the same story/book.

[@aci01]

I've just found out that it was directed by Kero, the director of the Hungarian version of Romeo et Juliette.

[@llEMMAll]

I am honoured that 4 of those musical were in German and I think three were Austrian? I only became aware a few weeks ago that my country has a few really good musicals myself, but I didn't know Rebecca, so thanks!!

[@lilianzhang2861]

Hi, I really like this video. I think it is well-edited and to the point, and I would like to share it with more people who might not have access to the video. Would you mind if I post it on weibo (chinese social media) and specify the source? Thank you.

[@aci01]

Yes, you can share it on weibo, just give me credit and link the original video in the description. Also after you posted it send me a link so I can check the reactions to the video out.

[@lilianzhang2861]

@@aci01 Thank you so much! Here's the link :www.weibo.com/3559004621/HrcOHuKcp?filter=hot&root_comment_id=0&type=comment

[@nikolettatoth4204]

Elisabeth az örök kedvenc❤️

[@user-xs7or5bi8g]

OMG! It's wonderful list! I've two questions. Where's Dracula?((( musical "Elisabeth" is it about Sissi?

[@mseb3909]

Yes! That elisabeth. But it's not like the romy Schneider movies. This musical is far more dramatic

[@jgdeshgrds835]

I was so happy that Elisabeth is your fav. It’s AMAZING

[@user-xh3nb6gi7o]

Here is in order 10: starmania 9: istván, a király 8: Mozart das musical 7: Monte Cristo 6: Mozart, l'opéra rock 5: Rebecca das musical 4: Notre Dame de Paris 3: tanz der vampire 2: Romeo et Juliette 1: elisabeth das musical

[@manymaus8629]

Wow super danke!!!!!!!!!!

[@lucindayumikane8567]

I can't find a lot of these on the internet. Can you please tell me where to watch them, with subtitled if possible of course!

[@RealAngelOfMusic]

Artus Excalibur is also one of my all-time favorite German Musicals, it's so amazing and the music is awesome 😍😍😍 but Elisabeth is definitely one of my favorites 😍😍😍 if anyone wants to watch it, here's a recording with Pia Douwes and Uwe Kröger as Elisabeth and Death. And it has English subtitles ❤️❤️❤️❤️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3jdZaSpmsaretU

[@user-rd8rh5gj6x]

Монте Кристо , Бал вампиров 😍😍

[@MichielBLKorte]

Petition to bring Elisabeth to West End! PS: There are already translations for the songs on the website Elisabeth in English

[@julespeace3901]

I have read that the reason Elisabeth won't probably be in the west or any other English speaking countries is because talks some events really fragile for the English Royal Family.

[@Kinestezja]

​@@julespeace3901 If that's true, then it's pretty unfair that England can't see this wonderful musical just because one family might feel a little uncomfortable... for some weird reason.

[@lulana9545]

It's much more likely that they're just still burnt from the TdV travesty and the entire Rebecca affaire....

[@carostrophal]

@@julespeace3901 Elisabeth is not about the royal family, it's about the austrian empress Elisabeth alias Sissi. The only reason I know why it wouldn't be performed in english speaking countries is because of the misleading title...One could easily think this musical is about the Royals.

[@carostrophal]

@@Kinestezja I know I am really late and you prob know that by now, but the Royals wouldn't feel uncomfortable, since the musical is not about them.

[@gurnord]

I would like to recommend a show to you people if you’re into super underrated european shows that deserve more love: the Swedish musical SÅ SOM I HIMMELEN😍💖 I love that show sooo much oh my god. The best musical i have ever seen

[@StuckInProgrammers]

I cannot for the life of me understand how Elisabeth has never had an English speaking production! I know it’s pretty dark, & the history is unfamiliar for most Americans, but come on! I just saw a Japanese & a German version of it, & it’s so good it’s ridiculous.

[@certifiedplayerhater]

there’s even a Korean version! I’m surprised it never made it to any English stages, even if the history is a little obscure. Hopefully someone picks it up though!

[@catymoonlightlove241]

asian market has more conncetiosn to musical market in europe then for excampel the usa. usa tend to americanise everything heavly and destroy the musicals. it should not be a suprisre the english version tanz der vampire flopt so badly because of this

[@falimojk]

eh, i would personally put starmania a bit higher. not the 1989 version, but the original one. that one was way more expansive and rich in lore/character development. plus it’s the musical that jumpstarted the french musical scene!

[@yuhanwu4813]

I don’t understand how Mozart das Musical get a lower rate than French version....

[@evazsilinszky7552]

Because they are two entirely different musical.

[@danslesbrasdemorphee4181]

There is no French version of this musical, what are you talking about? o.O

[@aci01]

To be absolutely honest the reason is simple logistics: I didn't want to feature the two Mozart musicals after each other and I wanted the list to alternate between the French and German musicals.

[@Nouthwash]

@@danslesbrasdemorphee4181 Mozart! l'Opera Rock ? You don't know that?

[@danslesbrasdemorphee4181]

@@Nouthwash Lol, that's absolutely not the same musical 😅

[@ceciliasobo281]

Does anyone know who plays Maxim De Winter in the clips you showed of Rebecca?

[@marylou9834]

Thomas Borchert

[@jennaom5364]

What about "Don Juan"? This is also masterpiece!

[@MataHarisana123]

@Jenna Om Don Juan is a Canadian musical (from Quebec)

[@martinsorenson1055]

Is the Vampire Musical from movie The Fearless Vampire Killers?

[@AnntheTheatreFan]

Yes it is. It's just less kitch and more dark, seductive, alluring, "I wish the Vampires win" thing😊

[@paulineeschner6972]

Tanz der Vampire 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@catyeyes87]

I would have put that at #1, to be honest.

[@Phea7]

@@catyeyes87 Same here.

[@Merwilla]

I’m missing some Annie MG schmidt musicals

[@kazuu9726]

Can you suggest some french or German musicals?

[@alsonein4533]

Tanz der Vampire Rebecca Elisabeth Mozart Are the popularst

[@kazuu9726]

Also Nein I see.i haven’t watch Rebecca and I think i should do it.btw thank you:-)

[@alsonein4533]

@@kazuu9726 it really pays!

[@annawlazel6428]

here we go: Marie Antoinette - from the same guys who did Elisabeth/Mozart/Rebecca. 3 Musketiere - it's actually from the Netherlands, but there's also German cast recording. Le Roi Soleil - French one :)

[@goldenjades7688]

For France and excluding those in the list : 1789 les amants de la bastille, Cleopatre, Les demoiselles de rochefort, Dracula l'amour plus fort que la mort and Le Roi soleil.

[@MrBlock-qe7hi]

Dose anyone know the name of the song in the monte crstio musical trailer?

[@user-zq5yr3vn2v]

search "Монте Кристо Карнавальное колесо"

[@MrBlock-qe7hi]

Much thanks!

[@Hannnkyo]

05:52 can somebody tell me the name of this actress?

[@aci01]

Marjan Shaki.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Notre Dame de Paris should be no1 as far as I’m concerned it is, though Kristina fran Duvemala should be on there as well.

[@Ivan45978]

Наверное я не один ближе к первым местам начал офигевать? "Бал вампиров, отверженные, ромео и Джульетта на втором месте... Божечки что же тогда на первом!??.... Чтоооо? Что это за элизабет?? "😂😂😂

[@juliak412]

Элизабет - потрясающий мюзикл, очень сложно найти запись хорошего качества этого шедевра, но если Вы не знакомы с ним, очень советую. Я сначала думала, что ничто не переплюнет Ромео и Джульетту, но потом понаходила отрывки с Элизабет и все-таки кое как досмотрела весь мюзикл, и ни разу еще не пожалела.

[@user-hw9tv7xt9i]

Какие же мюзиклы вы смотрите? ) Я тут почти все знаю) Местами бы поменяла некоторые, а так - все те же фавориты)

[@mseb3909]

Kinda missing the Dutch musical 3 musketiers😅

[@Nouthwash]

You forgot Metro mate.

[@stemjesper]

You don’t have a single Scandinavian musical on here? Kristina från Duvemåla should have been No. 1. It is a masterpiece. The original production was seen by 1/8 Swedes.

[@cphaura9968]

Mozart l'opera rock is my frigging childhood

[@arlekino0792]

10# place and my eyes are (O.O) Europeans can surprise and they almost always do it with class. Personaly I like european musicals more than american ones 'cause of a weird stuff and full blown artistry. Cyberpunk musical!

[@lenap319]

What this tells me is that austrians make great musicals and the french need better mics because what is tgat

[@meg4322]

tbf, most of the french clips in this video are from the 2000s(like the RetJ clips are from 2001) or the early 2010s(or even before that; I'm not sure when the NDdP and Starmania clips are from, but I think it's at least the 1990s for at least Starmania, maybe even the 1980s?) Edit: I really said idk where they're from when they're literally listed in the video huh

[@gwendyverstappen8763]

Mozart das Musical is much better than the place you give him

[@Flix-cn7wp]

Starlightexpress?

[@The-Musical-Lover]

Starlight Express is English.

[@Somika]

Rebecca is the greatest

[@lyl9255]

No love for the German-language Count of Monte Cristo musical?

[@ashspace0880]

You forget les miserables at the start it was french and they translate into english

[@aci01]

Watch the video again, right at the beginning it's stated that Les Miserables despite being a non-English musical won't be on this list. It's already a world famous musical it doesn't need more advertising.

[@EdwardHua1992]

Europe is surely the centre of human civilisation.

[@yahyamelihayaksz1174]

You was propably could too harder to make this compliation :d Its my think, i rather notre dame de paris to romeo et juliette but its depend on personality. Romeo et juliette have too much non musical-dialog and characters have less deep but nddp characters have very deep persons, very different worlds humans, different races, loyal-unfaithfull, infidel-priest, beatiful-ugly and powerty-richest persons. Also nddp dances are better than romeo et juliette more singers and very powerful and different story .

[@fiodorovienko155]

European musicales>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Musicales from Brodway

[@anarmythatblinkedoncetoami8326]

Notre dame de paris is a French Canadian musical not a French one and it is a huge part of our culture so please get some information before saying false information.

[@carostrophal]

The creator probably put the Location where it was first performed, which was Paris

[@augustinew.2028]

It's actually a co production between Québec and France :) the lyricist is french Canadian but the composer is french. And when it comes to the original cast 3 are French Canadian, 3 are French and 1 is haïtien I don't know if the author of the video can add french Canadian/québécois to French on the video but you were right to point out it's not entirely french (and not entirely French Canadian)

[@palmereldritch7777]

Wow, everything wrong with European ATTEMPTS at musicals in less than 10 minutes. Acting on amateur ADHD levels. Overemotive singing, is every character gay, overblown sets and costuming without style, accuracy (why is it always history by way of the BDSM or drag store design?), mistaking tumbling for choreograpy. Composers that never went beyond the Andrew Lloyd Webber JCS/Phantom/Cats 1.01 - everything has to be loud, forget about subtlety. The further east one goes the worse it gets. Though France isn't much either, at least they can put on a great Sondheim in Paris. You want a good European musical, try Annie M. G Schmidt. And why do everal Mozart musicals with totally sub par music ? where they trying to insult Mozart, not like he didn't write enough hits that would have made way better and more appropriate numbers. Murdering Shakespeare? West Side Story this ain't. After good musicals/shows, one of the best things is watching the shipwreck of a bad show. Bad theatrical choices, this should be taught in Theatre schools around the world.

[@mseb3909]

Are u ok?

[@palmereldritch7777]

@@mseb3909 I'm fine :-) and U ?

[@mseb3909]

@@palmereldritch7777 don't seem fine if you're leaving an entire essay on a simple video

[@palmereldritch7777]

@@mseb3909 European non English musicals can do with a healthy dose of self reflection. A lot of it looks like self parody. Yeah, i'm critical.

[@mseb3909]

@@palmereldritch7777 I mean you can be critical but you can't group all musicals together. Same can be said about broadway musicals as well.