But the role of Eva is a marathon, she barely leaves the stage the entire show," says Andreou. The role is a huge undertaking, not least because the whole show revolves around this character. The pressure is on for the actress playing Eva. Stand-out performance: Steve Balsamo, who played Jesus in the 90s West End revival. The iconic, rocky G5 wail performed here is usually within the highest notes for a high trained lyric baritone. The actor has to show desperation through belt and vulnerability through falsetto. "Knowing his fate, this song has to show pure, raw emotion. " To play a role such as Jesus holds huge responsibility alone," says Andreou. Not only is there that one note everyone is waiting for, the song carries on and on for three more minutes after that, making it a real feat of endurance. Gethsemane is Jesus’s real time to shine in this musical. Stand-out performance: Kristin Chenoweth in Candide in Concert in 2005 (with a wonderful entrance by Patti LuPone) Gethsemane, Jesus Christ Superstar The amount of stamina required for musical theatre is astonishing – and one of the most exhausting must be Electricity, the climax of the show in which Billy has to perform an impassioned dance routine mid-song. Stand-out performance: Adam Pascal, at Chess in Concert in 2003. Throw in some rocky growls and rasps (qualities that require specific training) and eight shows a week, you could be sailing pretty close to the wind with this one." "Much like sopranos are physiologically suited to singing high coloratura, this kind of range isn’t suitable for all male voice types.
" The belted notes here are a C♯5, which is really high for a guy," says Andreou.
Most complicated song ever full#
It’s not only high, it’s full of runs and sustains for far too long. The song keeps creeping up and up, until the final line in Chess’s Pity the Child (“just in case she said.WHO”), which is reserved for the pros. It’s not just female roles that get the high notes. Stand-out performance: Jonathan Bailey in Marianne Elliot’s 2019 production Katie Finneran in a 2011 New York Philharmonic concert version, but honourable mention to Jane Shaw, a Guildhall drama student who sang it in front of Sondheim himself as part of a live lesson – talk about nerve-wracking. "Notable for being one of the most difficult musical songs with the fastest verse in history, it depends on clear diction, implicit pitch accuracy and breath support alongside imperative comedic timing." " In this patter song, 68 words are sung in a total of 11 seconds!," says Andreou. This Company song has Amy (or Jamie in the gender-switched version) freaking out about getting married. Sondheim really doesn’t want to make it easy. Stand-out performance: Sarah Brightman in the original London cast.
"One of the highest notes in musical theatre, this song ends on an E6 with vibrato, being a stretch for most but the classically trained." " The actress required to play this role requires an incredible soprano ability," says Andreou. The top note is a high E6, which even many of the most expert musical theatre performers couldn’t reach. The Phantom of the OperaĬhristine is a very specific role – she’s an opera singer so only really an opera trained actress can play this part. Stand-out performance: Amber Riley and Marisha Wallace, both of whom starred in the London run. New West End Company BRANDPOST | PAID CONTENT.Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation BRANDPOST | PAID CONTENT.
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