Favorite ALW!Christines

[The Black Domino]

Hiya.

So. I was wondering about our favorite Christines: as in, favorite ALW Christines that have performed on the stage version (not any on other version, just stage). You don't really need to have seen the stage show to have a fav Christine, for by just owning a nice cast recording and some clips you can already compare fairly and name whom is your preferred.

I'd have to say mine is no doubt Anna Maria Kaufmann (and Sandra Joseph as a close second). She has just a glorious voice of an angel, so pure and magical, she's magic. And though I've never seen her perform live I have numerous clips, pics, and the Original German Recording (w/ her as Christine), so I can say that she's amazing.

Now, everyone else's favorite Christine?

[Jaycee]

I like the one who's on the OCC...I can't remember her name.

[creampuff]

REBECCA CAINE. REBECCA CAINE. REBECCA CAINE.

(SB IS PRETTY DAMNED CLOSE.)

I liked Beth Southard when she didn't overshoot her vibrato.

Most of the foreign Christine are great.

There was a...meep...Dutch Christine? That I liked...

[Simple Rose]

Thus far, Sandra Joseph has been my favourite. Still a little overkill on the vibrato, but I'm discovering that's a key quality to the voices of those who play Christine.

If I'm allowed, I will digress and say that the French film Christine is thus far my absolute favourite. Her cadenza at the end of POTO is hauntingly beautiful and resonant.



...though I know who Angel's favourite stage Christine is... lol

[Angel]

Hehe, I guess Em beat me to it

It's no secret that I'm a huge Sarah Brightman fan. She was my first Christine, so perhaps that makes me a little biased, but I love her voice. Yes, there's a lot of vibrato, but I really have no problem with it; I really like vibrato, especially in this role.

As for others, Rebecca Caine is pretty darn wonderful. Her TOM is to die for. She's the reason the OCC is currently the 'must-buy' recording for me. I've never heard Sandra Joseph, although I desperately want to, as I've only heard good things about her (aside from vibrato, but I doubt that would put me off ) Ditto for Anna Maria Kaufmann -- I've heard she's wonderful. As for Cecilia Cara, the French movie Christine, quite frankly, I could take her or leave her. I do infinitely prefer her to Emmy Rossum, and she does have a lovely voice, but there are others I'd much rather listen to. Both her cadenzas are 'hauntingly beautiful' (a perfect description from Em!), although to me, they sound as if a lot of reverb has been added or something ... maybe I'm just cynical. However, I wish, wish, wish that for the POTO cadenza, they could have toned down on the intrumental (especially the guitars ) and let us hear that lovely voice! She gets a bit drowned out.

When I was in France, I looked for the French cast recording, but couldn't find it ... instead I found the OLC and the Spanish recording. Now I'm kicking myself for not buying the Spanish one, as, like creampuff said, the foreign Christines do have an excellent reputation.