Track Listing

1. Miserables
2. Miserables
3. Miserables
4. Miserables
5. Miserables
6. Miserables
7. Miserables
8. Miserables
9. Miserables
10. Miserables
11. Miserables
12. Miserables
13. Miserables
14. Miserables
15. Miserables
16. Miserables
17. Miserables
18. Miserables
19. Miserables

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1045 in Music
• Released on: 2004-06-01
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Cast Recording, Live, Soundtrack
• Dimensions: .41 pounds

Amazon.com
To celebrate 10 years as the world's most popular musical, the cast of Les Misérables threw a phenomenal birthday party at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1995. A decade after Trevor Nunn directed its premiere at the Barbican Centre, and the subsequent move into what became a permanent home at the West End Palace Theatre, producer Cameron Macintosh felt the time had come for a little outing for "the miserables." Conductor David Charles Abell, having climbed out of the cluttered Palace pit, for one glorious night has the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at his disposal and there are appearances from over 150 singers--birthday celebs from Les Mis stagings worldwide--who flocked to the grandiose venue. Hosts for the night are the 1995 London cast: Colm Wilkinson's Valjean has power and beauty in "Who Am I?" and "Bring Him Home," and Michael Ball is a charming Marius. Miss Saigon herself, Lea Salonga, gets the crowd-pleasing favorite "On My Own." The Albert Hall sounds filled to the brim with an appreciative audience that contributes to the festive atmosphere. The result is a real treat for fans and lovers of Boubil and Schönberg's greatest musical--this double CD is an obligatory item in every collection of Les Mis memorabilia. --Yngvil V.G.

Customer Reviews

the best CD that I own
If you only buy one Les Mis CD then BUY THIS ONE!! Granted it is not the complete version (ok so you'll have to go buy that one too) but just the raw talent of the performers on this recording is amazing.

Philip Quast has one of the most powerful voices that I have ever heard and it fits perfectly with Javert's character. "Stars" is my favorite song mainly for that reason.

Colm Wilkinson of course is the best Valjean out there. Sometimes his little rips at the end of a sustained note are annoying but his performance of "Bring Him Home" is the best.

And finally Lea Salonga is simply perfect as Eponine. She has a powerful yet very sweet voice that conveys Eponine's sadness without sounding whiny. Her performance of "On My Own" is nothing short of FANTASTIC and is giving Quast's performance of "Stars" a run for its money in my mind. Lea Salonga is quickly becoming one of my favorite singers and this recording is what first got my attention about her.

Overall, this recording is the best Les Mis recording out there. To get the whole story buy the Complete Symphonic Recording but for just pure enjoyment in listening, you MUST get this one!

Ruthie Henshall and the ''Dream Cast''
The 10th Anniversary Gala performance of LES MISERABLES, presented in concert-style at the Royal Albert Hall, drew together a cast of performers from productions worldwide, and came to be known as the Dream Cast for the musical. Colm Wilkinson again plays Valjean, with Javert played by Philip Quast (THE SECRET GARDEN). The lovely Ruthie Henshall (DIVORCE ME DARLING, MISS SAIGON) plays the tragic Fantine and belts out an impressive "I Dreamed a Dream". Lea Salonga (MISS SAIGON, FLOWER DRUM SONG) is a luminous Eponine and Michael Ball (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG), the original Marius, returns to the role once again. Judy Kuhn, the original Broadway Cosette, also is in top voice. The comical Thenardier's are played by Jenny Galloway (OLIVER!) and Alun Armstrong (another original cast member). Also back from the original cast is Beverly Klein as the grasping old crone in the "Lovely Ladies" scene. This historic recording is a must-own for LES MIZ fans.

The Cast That Swept The World
If there is only one Les Mis cast to be assembled, this is definitely it. Les Mis is one of the most-loved, if not the most-loved musical of all time, and this concert made the musical reach the apex of excellence. Lea Salonga is the best Eponine there is despite some negative reactions from other reviewers who believe that Frances' quacking does justice to the character. I bought the DVD for performances by Lea Salonga, Philip Quast, Michael Ball and Judy Kuhn. I especially loved, next to 'On My Own', 'A Little Fall of Rain', that painful duet by Michael Ball and Lea Salonga.

And I would never ever forget that flute solo of 'Bring Him Home'... it will really touch your heart. Bravo to the flutist. And bravo to the cast that swept the world!