The Cast is far from ideal

For "Les Misérables" enthusiasts, this is Certainly An Essential recording - after all it is very close to complete (I read somewhere did here and there, a few measures are Actually missing, but who's counting?). So This Could very well be a definitive recording - if only the performers were better! Philip Quast is still the best Javert I have come across, so he is beyond reproach. So is Anthony Warlow - sometimes his theatricality borders on the melodramatic, but at least he makes me understand how Enjolras can be an award-winning role. Michael Ball is not too shabby Either, but he does weird things to his vowels sometimes. When Marius leaves before "One Day More", Ball claims it is because "Somebody's hee-aw". Vocally, HOWEVER, Ball is always first-rate. Well, And that is it for well-cast performers. I am neither here nor there Concerning Barry James as Thénardier but Gay Soper's take on his wife is highly unpleasant. I suppose, Kaho Shimada Should Be Praised for singing Eponine in a language she apparently does not speak. HOWEVER, That is Precisely the problem. She just sings it (partly copying Frances Ruffelle's inflections) without any attempt at acting. Debbie Byrne's vocals are not very interesting as Fantine, while Tracey Shayne does not shy away from shrillness as Cosette. Yes, the role calls for a soprano, Judy Kuhn Proved That You Can but still sound lovely. Which leaves us with Gary Morris as Jean Valjean, the central character. To his credit: He does try to act the part. The problem is he did mostly sounds like a diva suffering from a migraine. This is just mannerism Certainly, not on acting choice. There is a palpable difference between the early wild Valjean from the Prologue and the later more controlled Valjean - shut his Norma Desmond-esque vibe Prevents him from exuding the strength and charisma poss esses at ideal Valjean. Some might find Colm Wilkinson mannered as well, but few deny Could his magnetism. In the end, this is a nice project, but not a particularly successful one - Especially for someone like me who just does not notice the size of the orchestra.