> Well, I'm sure that the movie was meant to be different from the stage
> play. However, it's still a musical. And there is a reason why it's called
> a "musical" - i.e., it has music. And unlike some musicals, this
> one is a fully lyric show. It does not attempt, in its arias, to capture
> human speech patterns, and a show like this demands REAL singers. Yes,
> Emmy Rossum and Patrick Wilson are real singers, and I blame any
> shortcomings they have on mixing and acoustic issues. But Gerard Butler
> cannot sing well. I feel, as I mentioned previously, that Michael
> Crawford's voice is too tense in the upper registers to convey as much
> emotion as he needs. But the Phantom must be more than just a competent
> singer - he must be highly talented and skilled. I would like to see
> Roberto Alagna play the Phantom.

> By the way, "stuffy" is a stereotype pushed upon opera by people
> who either don't know it, or usually only see bad productions of it.

> Some operas to get those who are inexperienced started, in English and
> their original language:

> The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflote) - Mozart
> The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) - Mozart
> The Flying Dutchman (Die Fliegende Hollander) - Wagner
> The Mastersinger of Nuremberg (Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg) - Wagner
> La Boheme - Puccini (especially if you like Rent and/or Moulin Rouge, as
> they're both adaptations of the opera. Baz Luhrmann did a recent
> production of the opera in very much the style of Moulin Rouge - used the
> same "L'Amour" set piece.)

> And, if you feel ready for modern opera:

> Grendel - Elliot Goldenthal (who wrote the film scores for one of the
> Batman movies, Frida, and Interview with a Vampire)

Ho Hum.... Once again, and let me make myself clear, I HATE opera! I refer to it as stuffy because to me that is what it is. If that doesn't suit you, you can stuff it! I could say bag it but I just love the word stuff. Now let us get to POTO. Although Gerry Butler wasn't a trained singer, and yes it was evident, he played the role of the Phantom brilliantly. This my friend is my opinion and believe me I have the resources to back it up! Unfortunately everyone went to this film with the wrong expectation. If they wanted the stage play then they should have gone to the theater, paid the big bucks and enjoy. According to ALW the movie was to have a "Rock & Roll" attitude and to my evidently untrained ears, I absolutely loved the music and thought the acting superb. I must thank you for the quickie lesson you gave on the genre of opera music although it's of no interest to me, it was a nice gesture on your part. You really got to show your stuff! You will be happy to learn that Mr. Butler has decided to avoid any future musicals thanks to the likes of a lot of critics with a bad taste in their mouths or chip on their shoulder. It's really too bad because I for one of many would love for him to do another. Just one more tidbit for you to bite on. I thought at the tender age of seventeen Emmy Rossum was fantastic!