‘The Phantom of the Opera’ Released a New Cast Recording of the Musical’s Title Song
It’s not every day that musical theatre fans have access to professionally recorded music from their favorite musical. While shows will typically record an album with a production’s original cast, it is rare for an album to be made with each cast replacement. On June 1, it was announced the current cast of The Phantom of the Opera on the West End recorded a new version of the musical’s title song for fans to enjoy.
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is one of the longest-running musicals
The Phantom of the Opera opened in London’s West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. On Broadway, it is the longest-running show, and The Phantom of the Opera is the second longest-running show in the West End.
After being temporarily closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, The Phantom of the Opera has reopened in the West End and on Broadway.
On Broadway and the West End, Michael Crawford originated the role of the Phantom, Sarah Brightman originated the role of Christine Daaé, and Steve Barton originated the role of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.
Currently, on Broadway, Ben Crawford plays the Phantom, Emilie Kouatchou plays Christine, and Jordan Donica plays Raoul. In the West End, Killian Donnelly plays the Phantom, Lucy St. Louis plays Christine, and Rhys Whitfield plays Raoul.
There is a new version of the title song from ‘The Phantom of the Opera’
On June 1, a new version of the title song from The Phantom of the Opera was released. The new version features Donnelly and St. Louis as the Phantom and Christine.
On Twitter, the composer of the musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote, “Today is a very special day, as for the first time in 18 years, we are delighted to share a new cast recording of @PhantomOpera’s title track.”
Lloyd Webber also shared a TikTok in the tweet explaining the backstory of the new recording.
“I’m really excited because Lucy and Killian who are the great leads in Phantom of the Opera in London now have recorded a new version of the song, the title song, and it’s absolutely fantastic for me because we’ve redone the whole arrangement. It’s now much more rock and roll like I always intended it to be,” Lloyd Webber said in the video.
He added, “Go and have a listen and say what you think.”
How to listen to the new title song recording
In The Phantom of the Opera, the title song takes place in the first act. During the song, the Phantom takes Christine to his secret lair below the Opéra house. It is one of the most well-known songs from the timeless musical.
The new version featuring Donnelly and St. Louis is available to stream on Spotify here.
