Klarinet Archive - Posting 000588.txt from 1995/05

From: John Baetens <JSBtens@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Andrew Lloyd Webber keys
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 22:43:58 -0400

J Alan wrote that he heard that composers often write in a key
that is comfortable for the lead.

He is sure that Lloyd Webber kept in mind a comfortable key
for Michael Crawford.

I have a good story about this. Forgive me for regressing away
from the clarinet for a minute, but I have to tell this.

It seems that ALW originally wrote the score for Phantom of the
Opera with Colm Wilkinson in mind for the lead. In fact, at a
yearly festival he holds at his estate, he staged the first act with
Colm in the lead. Unfortunately, by the time the play was ready
for production, Colm was busy wowing East End audiences with
his interpretation of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. When
Michael Crawford somehow got the part, it had to be rewritten
for him because he just could not sing the part.
When the Toronto production was lucky enough to get Colm
to play the lead when they first staged the Phantom, his part was
again rewritten to take advantage of his incredible voice. And, of
course, both Lloyd Webber and Harold Prince, who directed both
versions and also versions in other cities, declared the Toronto
cast of Phantom as the best ever.
The thing that really gets me, though, is that most people I talk to
who has seen or heard recordings of both performers, almost
always prefer Michael Crawford's version. I can't stand it!!! Not
only is Colm better technically in every way, he also sings with
incredibly more emotion and it carries over to the rest of the
cast.
Okay,. I got that off my chest. Back to clarinet.