Review: PotO at RAH

[ladycdaae]

Everyone else seems to be posting their reviews of the Royal Albert Hall concert, so why not jump on the bandwagon? Here are my disorganized thoughts, entitled:

Comments

[amyable_nature]

I was on such a high for a few days after seeing this concert/performance because I just kept thinking, this is going to be my new Phantom DVD! No more Gerik! Yay!!

I've never actually seen a Phantom (live) that I could classify as totally perfect. They all have strengths and yet they have a few weakness where I'm left to think "____ did that part better, he should have done it like that."
But over all, I enjoyed Karimloo as the Phantom. I agree with your review for his performance, but I still find him a compelling Phantom. Indeedy. I think it's the final lair scene that totally won me over. After Christine's "I gave my mind blindly," he repeats the word "blindly." I loved that moment. He shouts his "Leave me alone!" directly at the sound of the approaching mob and I found that a really decisive and effective choice.

I don't disagree with a single thing you pointed out through this entire review. I can skip around like the happy idiot I am and just gush about this 25th Anniversary DVD I can't wait to own, but it's a good thing there are still phans like you out there with a head on their shoulders to be objective about all things Phantom. So thanks ;)

[ladycdaae]

If Ramin had played the whole of the part the way he did PONR on out, I think I would have liked him a lot more--maybe not enough to rate him one of my all-time top players, but a performance I could give props to. As it is, I think what I said about MotN pretty much sums it up--he's halfway there, but there's still a lot missing for me. Give him a few more years' maturity, get him to sing with a more consistent and classical tone, and he can have something really good going. YMMV, as always.

~LCD