The VERY FIRST ASIAN to be cast in a strictlyCaucasian show......and landed as one of the DREAMCAST performers as picked by the producers themselves.....so it is definitely the VOICE ! SHE OWNS THE SONG AND NOBODY CAN EVER BE BETTER THAN HER......just argue with the producers....LOLS!
This is the correct way of singing in Broadway or theatre, she's the gold standard. No one else comes close, Every word is clear, well enunciated and correctly pronounced, and pitch perfect! So audiences will connect to the show because they can understand thus feel it with their heart and soul
Whilst I agree with almost everything said here, I'll contend with Eva Noblezada being this current generations counterpart (especially when it comes to diction!)
@@Armchair-Investor That's what separates Lea from everyone else. Not only does she have power, range, technique, and breath control, she enunciates every word. Only Willemijn Verkaik comes close.
Can you believe this woman is the voice of Princess Jasmine from the original Aladdin, the singing voice of Mulan, and the lead role of Miss Saigon.. How much talent can you fit into one human?? She's always been so confident, like nothing can bring her down, since her childhood audition videos.. Truly talented, humble, confident, and graceful human being.
After winning the Tony for her performance in "Miss Saigon," Lea thought that her career on Broadway would take off. However, many producers would not cast her on Broadway because she was Asian. Cameron Mackintosh called Lea and offered her the part of Eponine and she was delighted to take on the role. In the back of her mind, she knew that she had to be perfect in her performances to silence the critics and doubters. PERFECT she has been in her performances as Eponine and luckily this was captured for all eternity at the 10th Anniversary Concert of "Les Miserables."
to everyone saying but they hired ___ who’s a poc. let’s be honest there are only white people. Lea deserved better. we need more diversity, there are far better talents in the world but, the industry discriminates against that. sounds like racism to me
When she sings, "a world that's full of happiness that I have never known", I'm glad she doesn't SCREECH the word "known" like so many others do. She let's it be powerful without sounding like a banshee. This is my favorite version of this song.
its because she can really sing, so many people can't. Even professionals in theatre don't have a voice that is strong enough to cope with a song like this.
my vocal coach sent me this song for belting, facial, and pronouncing practice. i have never heard this before and i am beyond blown away. i will be working on this song for the next few weeks and i can only hope to be as good as her
Not many people have an idea how much Lea Salonga contributed in breaking barriers and stigma against Asian recognition in the arts. She is up there with George Takei and the likes.
I wish it didn't matter what you look like as long as you can hit the notes. I'd kill to see Norm Lewis as the Phantom, and Lea is the perfect Eponine.
@@MamaBearBrock Lea did play Grizabella in the Philippines around 2010, I think. I believe there are some vids floating around of Lea in that production and also singing "Memory" around that time to promote the show. Plus, Lea toured with Il Divo in 2014 and she sang "Memory" with the guys.
She's so different..i heard many singers who hit the high notes and i cringe and lose my breath knowing that they could lose their voice from trying so hard but lea here, i just feel so relaxed. Her voice is just so soothing to the ears. Bravo!
Lea said that during Miss Saigon - with 8 shows a week, her voice fails her and she feels like her body is rebelling againts her. Then, her producer introduced her to a voice teacher where she learned Classical technique.
Yes she is the only one that I don't have to lower the volume when listening. That's like, the standard of being a good singer who brings melody and not noise to the ears. Others like Samantha Bark are also great but I always cringe a bit at the climax.
Im 73 and I can listen to this song time and time again, thinking of of someone I had unrequited love for... and cry every time. My all time fave musical
Fun fact: Broadway performs 8 shows every week with a total of 1000 plus shows and Lea Salonga won all awards in one season for Miss Saigon including Theatre World Award, meaning that award is for debut performers. And you will no longer be second nominated nor more, so it is 10x more difficult to win than Grammys, not even the great Patti Lupone could claim that. She used 'On my own' for Miss Saigon audition. The producers of Miss Saigon are also the producers of Les Miserables, they thought that she should have been Eponine at 1st place. So, they decided to cast her as Eponine on 10th anniversary dream cast and Fantine on 25th Anniversary Dream Cast due to her unique crystal clear voice. She is the only person who portray two main roles in Les Mis in history. Imagine how the characters would fit into one human! There is also a racial discrimination back then so they tested Lea to perform as Eponine. Lea is the reason why the Asians are performing theaters from then, because Lea nailed it all and everyone including the haters are having a standing ovation. Some Filipino haters should do a research before hating a Broadway megastar. Her voice? you can't spell cLEAr without LEA.
Lea isn't the only person to portray two main roles in LES MISERABLES history. I think she was the only person to play two different roles in those anniversary concerts. Off the top of my head: Judy Kuhn (singing voice of Disney's Pocahantas) was the original Cosette in LES MIZ on Broadway and replaced Lea as Fantine in the LES MIZ revival.
Like someone else pointed out, others have played multiple major Les Mis roles (maybe you’re solely talking about the concerts?). Ramin Karimloo has played Jean Valjean and Enjolras (I think Marius too?) and Hadley Fraser has played Marius, Grantaire, and Javert.
Lea's performance here is phenomenal as always, but can we talk about how at the end of the song, you can see that she doesn't break character even when the crowd goes wild? She doesn't smile or wave at them. She looks defiant and angry and untrusting, which is how Eponine's character truly is, and I love that about her. That right there is true and pure professionalism, skill, and talent. She deserves so much better.
If this Act is part of the play about the story, I think you really need to stay in character so maybe that's why she didn't make those smiling or waving gestures. If it's just her singing this without playing the character on the play but only on singing, her ending the song is indeed phenomenal! Either way, she's a theatrical legend :)
Breaking character would be unprofessional - but given that she’s the first Asian to be cast in a lead role on Broadway and a lot of racist toffs were dying for her to blow it - she shows outstanding professionalism not to do anything out of character. Lea changed the way that western stage performances operate forever with this performance, she must have been thinking about all her knock backs in the industry during that ovation (which is also unheard of at the start of an act). This was truly the most groundbreaking performance in the history of stage, she’s the only reason that anyone on earth can perform on Broadway or the West End in the modern day.
@@dazediss6629 Jeez - Lea is superbly talented, and she'd be no fan of yours for pulling the race card. She's far too wise and always shows outstanding professionalism - unlike yourself. She's never asked for, nor wanted anyone like you to speak on her behalf - and rightly so!
I love how you can see her biting her inner lip during the applause to stop herself smiling... It's so beautiful knowing she's having to fight it back to stay in character and that she really is so humble💜
+Nicole Whinnett Or possibly to stop herself crying. When an actor becomes immersed in a role, it's not always easy to turn it off once the scene is over.
+Nicole Whinnett Martha nailed it..... and in some ways it's the difference between a Broadway style performance, and "American Idol" and the like. The Broadway actor/actress BECOMES the character, and sings while living the emotional life of that character. So in this cut, you are seeing Lea become Eponine, and the lip bite isn't her being humble Lea, but still Eponine, feeling the feeling she just sang about.
I truly feel sorry that there are people who've never seen this most precious and rare gems of theatrical performance and there are those who don't know how to appreciate it...give them time, I hope they come around and can allow themselves to be immersed in the splendour of such a treasure
Lea Salonga is a legend, everyone critiquing her performance is like saying Michael Jordan isn't that good in basketball. Are you serious. She has the awards hanging up to prove it. Getting a Tony isn't like winning a Grammy or AMA, you have to actually have talent. Lea Salonga is one of the greatest voices in the modern era. I am not a super Broadway fan but know who Lea Salonga is. That is a sign that you got that "it" factor. comparing her is like comparing Michael Jordan to Lebron.
It's not always about talent though. The most talented people can still be outperformed by others - some people feel that a victimised Eponine is 'better' than angry Eponine - it's really a matter of who has the most fitting and convincing interpretation of the character. Eg. I personally like angsty/frustrated/jealous/spiteful Eponine and that character doesn't necessarily come through in Lea's performance over another actress'. As for basketball... I'm not sure there are so many ways to define what makes a good basketball player as there are a good Eponine
While this is a beautiful interpretation, Eponine was a kid. She was childish. The bit of shouting in Sam and Frances’ versions convey the emotional level of a teenager better.
Five stages of grief 1:42-2:44 - Denial/Isolation - She's alone, pretending he's there even though deep down she knows it's not real. 2:58-3:12 - Bargaining - "Still I say...there's a way for us..." - She's trying to make it work in her head to avoid reality. 3:11-3:35 - Depression - This is the height of her depression, although the whole song has a depressing tone to it. She has snapped back into reality a bit and realizes what her life will be without the one she loves. 3:48-3:53 - Anger - Notice her face when she says "without me, his world will go on turning" - She's angry...angry at him for being so aloof, at herself for not doing enough, at life for being so unfair. Why does he get to be happy when she cannot? 4:25-4:30 - Acceptance - She resigns herself to the fact that she will never have him...except in her mind.
There are currently 9,999 comments, which makes this the 10,000th. So I will share this anecdote: Many years ago, my brother and I were driving from Canada to Texas to visit family when we decided to stop in Chicago. On a total lark, a Saturday matinee of Les Mis was playing and nosebleed tickets were still available. I'd not seen it before, but my brother had and so he went into it with expectations. When Eponine first came on stage, my brother leaned over and whispered something to the effect of "an Asian Eponine? That's not right!" But then she started to sing and any expression of criticism or doubt abruptly ceased. Now in 2020, I compared notes with my brother and checked the timeline, and realized that indeed, in 1996, I had seen Lea Salonga perform live as Eponine. Now, almost 25 years later, although I recall being impressed at the time, I regret not having truly appreciated what I had witnessed in the moment.
Absolutely! Everyone who loves Lea's performance of this song should also check out Lea Salonga and Michael Ball singing "A Little Fall of Rain" from this same concert. Gorgeous singing and acting that will blow you away!!!
As dumb luck with have it, my career led me to London when she was performing in BOTH Les Mis AND Miss Saigon at the same time. I saw her perform in both shows the same week!!! I’ll never forget it…
I don't think this song can be sung better than it is here. This performance is extraordinary. Powerful, nuanced, moving. I've watched this video countless times and I'm moved to tears almost every time. And not just because of the meaning of the song in the context of the story. Greatness is an awesome thing to witness, especially when the stakes are so high.
Her face in the end is like "I told you so" / "Asians can do this role" and her teary eyes shows that she has passed through all the struggles she had to get that role, tears of victory!
@@democrrrracymanifest Well talent in that case isn’t the meaning you thought. It means the talent as in actors and performers. Like there is the “crew” and the “talent”.
her acting was so good at the end that i thought she wasn't gonna have enough breath for the last "but only on my own". should've known better. her technique is flawless.
"On My Own" And now I'm all alone again Nowhere to turn, no one to go to Without a home, without a friend Without a face to say hello to But now the night is near And I can make-believe he's here Sometimes I walk alone at night When everybody else is sleeping I think of him and then I'm happy With the company I'm keeping The city goes to bed And I can live inside my head On my own Pretending he's beside me All alone I walk with him 'til morning Without him, I feel his arms around me And when I lose my way, I close my eyes and he has found me In the rain The pavement shines like silver All the lights are misty in the river In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight And all I see is him and me forever and forever And I know it's only in my mind That I'm talking to myself and not to him And although I know that he is blind Still I say there's a way for us I love him But when the night is over He is gone The river's just a river Without him, the world around me changes The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers I love him But every day I'm learning All my life I've only been pretending Without me, his world will go on turning A world that's full of happiness that I have never known I love him I love him I love him... But only on my own...
Lea Salonga's rendition of "On My Own" from Les Misérables is simply spellbinding! Her emotional depth and vocal prowess bring this iconic song to life in the most breathtaking way. Every note she sings resonates with passion and longing, capturing the essence of Eponine's character flawlessly.
Frances' original rendition of this song portrayed a more childish, heartbroken Eponine. Lea's version transforms Eponine into a very complex character who is angry, upset, and dejected, but still dreams of having mutual love. The complexity of her version as well as her crystal clear, perfectly pitched voice is what brings me back to this video. Eponine as we know her today is greatly based off of Lea's version. While other versions (like Samantha's) are beautiful, no one has gotten the mix of emotions just right the way Lea has here.
+nons I disagree, Ruffelle put much more heart and emotion into her renditions. Every time I hear Lea sing this, I find her performance, completely emotionless. She sings so rapidly and matter of factually, she never lets herself go, you never get the same yearning feeling you get from Ruffelle. Leas performances just come off cold and boring in my opinion. But hey, everyone likes something different I guess.
+Axin younger people tend to not like Rufelle, most older people I have ever talked to prefer her. The younger generation has their own mind about how a singer should sing and has developed a mold that they like their singers to fit into. They tend to not be open to unique singers that dont fit that mold, which is unfortunate because that types of singers are generally the ones that bring the most character to the role.
I don't listen to any performance of this in terms of who sings it, but whether I can hear Eponine's heart in the lyrics and the melody. My problem with the Ruffelle version is that I don't like her her phrasing and enunciation on particular syllables - it makes it sound more like an 80s power ballad (so of its time) than a musical performance in its own right. I do not have a favourite performer, but I do not hear Eponine in Ruffelle's performance. I hear it in Lea's and in Sam's, but I don't think it is about someone being better. It's just about who, to me, persuades me that they're Eponine. Frances Ruffelle can clearly sing. She just isn't Eponine enough for my ears. But it is all personal opinion. There is no right answer.
I have to pay big respect to the producers & composers of Les Miserables musical. They gambled on giving the role of Eponine to a non-Caucassian; however, they really know what they are doing for giving this role to Lea Salonga. Lea Salonga confirmed that she can exceed or surpass the expectations. No offence to other great singers who portrayed the role of Eponine, and I’ve watched a substantial number of Eponines; but in my opinion, Lea Salonga did the best performance of Eponine and best rendition of this song. Fell in love with this song the moment I heard it from Frances Ruffelle (who originated it) and Linzi Hately but when Lea Salonga did it, I got obsessed with it. She practically recreated the character of Eponine. Quite an epic!
@@job4674 I meant White or Europeans. Although most Americans (US) are white because their ancestors are Europeans, most of them(White Americans) don't consider their selves as Europeans.
She's the perfect Eponine in my opinion and she nailed this song, and although Lea did great as Fantine, I always prefer Ruthie Henshall! Her version of I dreamed a dream always brings me tears and an avalanche of tragedies
The big difference in Eponine's portrayal in the different versions of "Les Miserables" is that in the book, she doesn't deserve Marius, while in the musical, Marius doesn't deserve her.
anna lytical well to be fair she is really pitiful but I never felt sympathy for her not until I watched the musical. I feel sorry for Anzelma but not to her. Maybe because she was cold to little Cossette, maybe because the money Fantine sent for Cossette ended up used for Eponine and Anzelma or most likely because she's a selfish little thing. Marius has no plan of joining the rebellion. But this Eponine tired of being a bridge thought "if I couldn't have him then it's better if we die together " (I really hate her at this part.) So she hid Cosette's letter(?) and informed Marius that Cossette left for England(?) Marius in despair joined the rebellion. Eponine then saved Marius. Eponine's death was tragic but was not sweet like A little fall of Rain. * (?)- I'm not sure if this is exactly what happened.
She turned what could have been a 2 dimensional wishy washy lovesick character into such a complex being with one song. It would have been easy for her to be sad while singing this song, heartbroken and even desperate, but Eponine had some street smarts in her. She was a tough cookie, had to be. When she was young her mother doted her but then everything went to shit after Jean Valjean took Cosette away. She was worth nothing more than a look out for her parents and the one person she considers her friend and potential lover, falls for another. Yeah, she's pissed, she mad at him, at herself, the world in general, but in the end she realizes that she can't take away his happiness for the sake of her own. It's not fair to him or her and Lea portrays this so well in the final notes. So hands down, my favorite Eponine.
Not true. Frances Ruffel is the one who created a three dimensional character with heart and soul. Lea was too clean, everything from the enunciation to the singing had no edge to it.
@@DeepScreenAnalysis I just dont see it I'm afraid. When I listen to frances it feels like Im listening to a bonus track on the album from a mediocre 80s pop star. Bonnie tyler or something. Nothing against her, shes obviously very talented, but I just cannot appreciate her as Eponine.
fun fact : in the brick éponine was the one who gave marius the idea to go to the barricades, dressed as a dude, the reason is because she thought if she can't have him no one can
@@DeepScreenAnalysis Frances revealed in a 2010 interview w/ Elizabeth Sanderson that she was never invited to take part in this Dream Cast concert. Hence, the creators of this musical felt that Lea was the definitive choice for Eponine despite her not being white (minorities were rarely hired for Les Miz back then).
English is my second language. This means I cannot hear the language as much as the native speakers do. But Lea Salonga's voice is so clear and I can hear every word she sings. Of course, on top of it, she sings beautifully. She iis special.
It's not just her fantastic range -- Lea is simply the most intelligent singer on the boards, or the one most respectful of her audience's intelligence. There's always another nuance to intrigue, to titillate, to satisfy. It is what makes her today, 21 years later, queen of the cabaret, and if producers would realize that she is no more "Asian" than Doris Day, would make her the toast of Broadway, too.
+Robert Brault indeed she is one of the best in Broadway if not the best specially on the part of satisfying the audiences, for me she looks ethnically ambiguous aha somewhat similar to demi lovato :D
Lea HAS been the toast of Broadway. Cameron Mackintosh certainly didn't care that she's not white, casting her in two different plum roles in Les Miserables.
Mirla, I don't mean to detract from Lea's exquisite performances in the Les Miserables ensemble, but when I say, "toast of Broadway,: I'm speaking of the likes of Julie Andrews and Mary Martin and Gwen Verdon. Lea has it in her to revive the concept of the "Broadway leading lady." She should have entire productions written around her and not confined to an Asian setting, as in the remake of Flower Drum Song and Allegiance.
she conveyed being in love in that part so beautifully! when you're in love (even if it's a thing), things will not be just "things"--you see something so beautiful and much more within it. plus, the way she sang "in my head" is like she's excited and kinda miserable. maybe it's because it's the only way she can be nearest to him and the only way she can express her love openly and at the same time, she knew at the end of the day, she only loves him on her own. WAAAAA GALING TALAGA NIYA BRO👌🏻😭😭
I have a friend who studied music several years, she says this girl is a master of the technique, the way she move her mouth is how she reach that vocal power.
You can feel the joy of being loved, the pain of being left alone, the sadness of wanting to be with your loved and the acceptance that you will be okay, even if you’re on your own. Damn. Lea can really convey the emotions just through her voice. Chills.
And the anger of, “I hate you for not loving me, and I almost hate myself for being dumb enough to love you.” I love the fire and defiance in her eyes throughout the song, even in the moments of intense pain.
The original 1980 French version sung by Rose Laurens knocks this for six easily. The lyrics are even more beautifully written and it's called "The Air Of Misery" instead. But she performs it as Fantine instead, because originally the song was sung by Fantine after she gets fired and kicked out onto the street. She sings about the misery she is smelling in the air and the poverty she is seeing in the streets. ua-cam.com/video/5FVNsAw-45k/v-deo.html Brings a tear to your eye the original version does.
@@earljohnsanchez2493 That was the Cameron Mackintosh English Translated version for it's West End production. It in fact premiered on Stage in Paris during 1980 with the original French Language production following it's initial French Concept Album recording. Here is the full original album recording: ua-cam.com/play/PL8f_ACV3dM09rZCc5n_VGEgOr2YJVTqv2.html Have fun, it's awesome. In some ways the English version, which made several changes, is an improvement (the prologue is entirely missing in the French original, as is Javert's "Stars"), in other ways the original 1980 French Language version is the masterpiece(Rose Laurens as Fantine is the best ever, and yes she also gave the best rendition of "I dreamed A Dream" in my opinion).
Lea owns On My Own and I Dreamed a Dream. Can’t believe I cried hearing her versions. She is perfect pitch. 5 stages of grief in her version of On My Own. Everything she touches turns into gold. Such a legend!
@@colliric thanks for linking it. It's excellent, but the CONSTANT quaver gets to me. I think Lea's intensely (too?) clear version is a rough juxtaposition with the version you linked. Both excellent interpretations, though I prefer Lea's.
2:31 '..in the darkness..' I've never heard anyone sing, invoke imagery of the word 'darkness' in such a bright and positively magical way. It became the perfect backdrop for beautiful things or like a veil that hids wonderful possibilities.. her delivery defied the common usage of that word. She paints with her voice so well.
The thing about Lea is that this isn't hard for her. She just reaches the notes so casually, no straining or breaks, just up and down the notes effortlessly
Lea's performance here is something personal as she said. She shows to the whole world that asian like her can also perform in the world of musical theater which are mostly cast of white people before this 10th anniversary of Les Miz. She has also been rejected to be part of musical play in europe before and the reason is because of her race, sheis she is asian. So when she has given a chance here in 10th anniversary she gave her very best to show to the world that they were wrong, asian like her can do what the othervraces can do on musical theater. One more thing is the song On My Own is also very memorable to Lea, this is the song she sung on first Miss Saigon audition.
I really love the fact that Lea's version have this anger and bitterness. Her version is the only one who have this element aside from hurt, inlove, dreaming, hoping and agony which every one have.
I connect deeply with this. In real life, when this happens, there's 2 causes for bitterness and anger. First, unrequited love can be so painful that it feels inherently cruel. There's a person over there who says they care about you, who could cure all your ills with a kiss and they are just going to let you suffer instead. Do they know the torment this is causing you? It's not a rational line of thought, but it's very difficult to deviate from that when you are stricken with this. Second, if and when you decide to talk about this, your friends and family will implore you to let it go and move on, and they will tell you that if you believe you love this person who you never got to be in a relationship with, then there is something fundamental you don't understand about love. Maybe they will give you that "you're in love with THE IDEA OF him/her." But because your feelings for them are so strong, you argue with them and eventually you withdraw from those conversations with friends and family, you feel like the outlier, the reject, you insist on pursuing your heart, now with an added chip on your shoulder of not having the validation of society understanding you. I could feel all of that in her tone and gestures and the song does not even address that aspect of it at all. Perhaps it hints at it. The line "And I know, it's only in my mind/that I'm talking to myself and not to him" could be because other people have told her that over and over and she's tired of hearing it, or it might not be. It's certainly not addressed in the play either. Eponine truly does appear to deal with those feelings on her own.
when she sings "i love him" at the last part, you can truly sense the longing and desperation in her voice. this is really the most heartfelt rendition of this song
It feels like Lea's own concert and her co-singer is just cheering for her all along... The clearer than water. God bless you Lea Salonga of the Philippines ❤👏👏👏 what a great performance no one could be her
the same way she looked so beautiful even when dressed in dirty rags in Miss Saigon... where she sings "I'd give my life for you". How does she do that?
Shes already a princess, she sing the "a whole new world" and "reflection" so weird she didnt voice them but eh i would say she got the best part and line.
"The essence of my existence is excellence in performance." Said by a 9 year old Lea Salonga. She was not wrong. She is truly amazing a living legend and this song and performance is truly as beautiful as she is.
Just watched Les Miserables for the first time last night in a traveling Broadway production and fell quite in love with it, especially this very song. Here I am hours later and now I feel like last night I just watched a high school production. Lea Salonga is absolutely brilliant.
Anyone who speak English in different levels can understand every word of that song. Her diction is just perfect.
thesavvyfilipino 1000th like haha 💕
@defective chairs that literally has nothing to do with the comment lol
ahhh ik especially since she is a native born filipino
And why wouldn't it be?
Tf are you not used to her kind speaking perfect english?! Jesus
her voice is so clear that it even cleared my pimples
pimples? zero
@@alekthom9784 funny cuz lea is pinoy and the ad was from the ph
U should listen to sharon cuneta next
Natsuki Hatake hotel? Trivago
Yeah
The Eponine of all Eponines.
indeed, she IS ! =)
agree, the best of all! Her voice is so clear. She turns everything to gold!
The VERY FIRST ASIAN to be cast in a strictlyCaucasian show......and landed as one of the DREAMCAST performers as picked by the producers themselves.....so it is definitely the VOICE ! SHE OWNS THE SONG AND NOBODY CAN EVER BE BETTER THAN HER......just argue with the producers....LOLS!
To be honest I think Samantha Barks comes very close. Its hard to choose between the two.
100 percent true!!! I am in total acquiescence. Eponine is Lea Salonga. =)
This is the correct way of singing in Broadway or theatre, she's the gold standard.
No one else comes close,
Every word is clear, well enunciated and correctly pronounced, and pitch perfect!
So audiences will connect to the show because they can understand thus feel it with their heart and soul
Exactly! I appreciate the clarity!
Yeah , very clear.
Whilst I agree with almost everything said here, I'll contend with Eva Noblezada being this current generations counterpart (especially when it comes to diction!)
@@cjchristopherNahh...not even close.
@@Armchair-Investor That's what separates Lea from everyone else. Not only does she have power, range, technique, and breath control, she enunciates every word. Only Willemijn Verkaik comes close.
Can you believe this woman is the voice of Princess Jasmine from the original Aladdin, the singing voice of Mulan, and the lead role of Miss Saigon.. How much talent can you fit into one human?? She's always been so confident, like nothing can bring her down, since her childhood audition videos.. Truly talented, humble, confident, and graceful human being.
Grey you know that is lea solonga from Philippines I’m I am from Philippines 🇵🇭 she is still young in there 🙂🙂🙂 and she has I beautiful voice
She also sang Burn from Hamilton
@@scyth_luvvv7296 i think it is irrelevant to mention her nationality lol
Hello-
Just a small correction. Lea is actually just the singing voice for Jasmine and the voice for Mulan.
Anyways- she truly is an amazing woman.
She was miss Saigon before a Disney Princess 👸
Her pronunciation is clearer than the water...
I don't get why everyone praises her pronunciation...it's not that hard to pronounce words clearly, especially when singing??
Evie when most people sing this song its hard to understand what they are saying for some odd reason
@@Alicia-go8lw say that to ms grande
@@Alicia-go8lw ms perfect english is not her first language, and singing like this with a clear pronounciation is truly amazing.
@@Alicia-go8lw because eskeetit skrrtskrrt brap?
After winning the Tony for her performance in "Miss Saigon," Lea thought that her career on Broadway would take off. However, many producers would not cast her on Broadway because she was Asian. Cameron Mackintosh called Lea and offered her the part of Eponine and she was delighted to take on the role. In the back of her mind, she knew that she had to be perfect in her performances to silence the critics and doubters. PERFECT she has been in her performances as Eponine and luckily this was captured for all eternity at the 10th Anniversary Concert of "Les Miserables."
cuz probably most stories of broadway are western stories so obviously the cast would be Caucasians.
@@facelesstrader1351 that doesn’t mean they can’t cast poc for the roles
@@facelesstrader1351 There was a black Jeans Valjean and plant of black actors in Caucasian roles though...
Lea salonga is a legend
to everyone saying but they hired ___ who’s a poc. let’s be honest there are only white people. Lea deserved better. we need more diversity, there are far better talents in the world but, the industry discriminates against that. sounds like racism to me
When she sings, "a world that's full of happiness that I have never known", I'm glad she doesn't SCREECH the word "known" like so many others do. She let's it be powerful without sounding like a banshee. This is my favorite version of this song.
its because she can really sing, so many people can't. Even professionals in theatre don't have a voice that is strong enough to cope with a song like this.
The note of "known" intead of belting, she mixes her chest and head voice so it sounds powerful and Light at the same time which is Genius technique.
Bookmarked at 3:58
so true, there are some butchered versions of that line out there. She's strong enough to be able to get to the very top note.
If I could sing like that I'd die of shock at my own voice
😂
😂
🤣🤣🤣
🤣😂🤣😂 fck
Cause of death: shock to his/her own voice
Its already 2020 guys, but i cant move on to this song
We're same. Keep coming back again and again
H
I've watched this several times. Lea is one of the best talents the country has ever had. She's my favorite in her genre.
hi AHHAAJAJ
S a m e.
LETS BE HONEST. we want Lea to be NATIONAL ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES.
I agree!🥰🥰
agreee
OF COURSE WE DO!
wait she isnt??? THATS MESSED UPP
YESSSS!!!
my vocal coach sent me this song for belting, facial, and pronouncing practice. i have never heard this before and i am beyond blown away. i will be working on this song for the next few weeks and i can only hope to be as good as her
You can do it!
We believe in you!!! Keep singing!
FYI, she is also the singing voice of 2 Disney princesses - Princess Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan
Sameee
Nobody can sing it better, unbelievable!
Heartbroken, lonely, defiant, weak, strong, courageous, afraid, hopeful, downtrodden, angry, in love. All in one performance.
Thanks for your help in my audition!!! Even without you knowing you actually helped me
Yeah, this is very helpful
yup rollercoaster of emotions. you really feel how Eponine must have felt to be miserably in love
Been at the thesaurus have we?
It's almost poetic how the audience's applause sounds like rain
omggg trueee 😳😳😳
BRO
OMG
HOLY
Seriously!!! It’s amazing!!!
Not many people have an idea how much Lea Salonga contributed in breaking barriers and stigma against Asian recognition in the arts. She is up there with George Takei and the likes.
Yeah. M learning about her today for the first time
I wish it didn't matter what you look like as long as you can hit the notes. I'd kill to see Norm Lewis as the Phantom, and Lea is the perfect Eponine.
All people should see is a great actress and a once in a century voice. I would watch her in any role singing any song. She's incredible.
Fun fact: George Takei and Lea Salonga starred in a musical together called Allegiance about the Japanese American internment camps.
@@MamaBearBrock Lea did play Grizabella in the Philippines around 2010, I think. I believe there are some vids floating around of Lea in that production and also singing "Memory" around that time to promote the show. Plus, Lea toured with Il Divo in 2014 and she sang "Memory" with the guys.
Lea Salonga is the bee's knees, and Les Mis is the greatest STAGE MUSICAL of all time. It will never be better.
In my books she has reached the pinnacle of human achievement the way she sings that song, it couldn't be performed and sung any better.
Alistair Milner she has set the standard for all future Eponines
hi ate Leah Salonga
very well said.
Agreed
Legend
Yes she sounds like a Disney princess, her delivery is very theatrical, but also with so much control of her voice. She's a legend.
She is a Disney Princess...
She does the singing parts for Mulan.....
@@theragnaross6529 shes also voices Jasmine
she's the only Disney voice actress to voice 2 princesses!
She's magnificent
She's so different..i heard many singers who hit the high notes and i cringe and lose my breath knowing that they could lose their voice from trying so hard but lea here, i just feel so relaxed. Her voice is just so soothing to the ears. Bravo!
Lea said that during Miss Saigon - with 8 shows a week, her voice fails her and she feels like her body is rebelling againts her. Then, her producer introduced her to a voice teacher where she learned Classical technique.
Yes she is the only one that I don't have to lower the volume when listening. That's like, the standard of being a good singer who brings melody and not noise to the ears. Others like Samantha Bark are also great but I always cringe a bit at the climax.
So Whitney H. Wasn't high ?
The reason they can’t reach those notes is because they don’t have the vocal range. Plus the notes she sings aren’t that high
Abegayle Locop Where are the high notes???? The highest note is a C2 & that’s not high at all!
Im 73 and I can listen to this song time and time again, thinking of of someone I had unrequited love for... and cry every time. My all time fave musical
I agree so totally.
Same.
Fun fact: Broadway performs 8 shows every week with a total of 1000 plus shows and Lea Salonga won all awards in one season for Miss Saigon including Theatre World Award, meaning that award is for debut performers. And you will no longer be second nominated nor more, so it is 10x more difficult to win than Grammys, not even the great Patti Lupone could claim that. She used 'On my own' for Miss Saigon audition. The producers of Miss Saigon are also the producers of Les Miserables, they thought that she should have been Eponine at 1st place. So, they decided to cast her as Eponine on 10th anniversary dream cast and Fantine on 25th Anniversary Dream Cast due to her unique crystal clear voice. She is the only person who portray two main roles in Les Mis in history. Imagine how the characters would fit into one human! There is also a racial discrimination back then so they tested Lea to perform as Eponine. Lea is the reason why the Asians are performing theaters from then, because Lea nailed it all and everyone including the haters are having a standing ovation. Some Filipino haters should do a research before hating a Broadway megastar. Her voice? you can't spell cLEAr without LEA.
You know the typical Filipino characteristic- CRAB MENTALITY.
Lea isn't the only person to portray two main roles in LES MISERABLES history. I think she was the only person to play two different roles in those anniversary concerts. Off the top of my head: Judy Kuhn (singing voice of Disney's Pocahantas) was the original Cosette in LES MIZ on Broadway and replaced Lea as Fantine in the LES MIZ revival.
Like someone else pointed out, others have played multiple major Les Mis roles (maybe you’re solely talking about the concerts?). Ramin Karimloo has played Jean Valjean and Enjolras (I think Marius too?) and Hadley Fraser has played Marius, Grantaire, and Javert.
Yes! Spit facts. She's so amazing
@@sorry_im_not_sorry1950 She really is! She's probably my favorite female singer ❤️
Still arguably the very best rendition of on my own that exists ... just ... spellbinding.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯💯💯
Samantha barks !
@@20wonderland Samantha's not even close.
Raymund Logo Oh yes ! She superceeds it ! The role was made for her and she brings that emotion, longing and vulnerability needed for the role .
@@20wonderland Samantha barks and Lea sings 😊. Case closed.
Lea's performance here is phenomenal as always, but can we talk about how at the end of the song, you can see that she doesn't break character even when the crowd goes wild? She doesn't smile or wave at them. She looks defiant and angry and untrusting, which is how Eponine's character truly is, and I love that about her. That right there is true and pure professionalism, skill, and talent. She deserves so much better.
If this Act is part of the play about the story, I think you really need to stay in character so maybe that's why she didn't make those smiling or waving gestures. If it's just her singing this without playing the character on the play but only on singing, her ending the song is indeed phenomenal! Either way, she's a theatrical legend :)
AGREE. Lea is playing a character here, not performing in a concert. Breaking character would be unprofessional.
Breaking character would be unprofessional - but given that she’s the first Asian to be cast in a lead role on Broadway and a lot of racist toffs were dying for her to blow it - she shows outstanding professionalism not to do anything out of character. Lea changed the way that western stage performances operate forever with this performance, she must have been thinking about all her knock backs in the industry during that ovation (which is also unheard of at the start of an act). This was truly the most groundbreaking performance in the history of stage, she’s the only reason that anyone on earth can perform on Broadway or the West End in the modern day.
She doesn't need to wave
Because it's performance it's not concert
And lea got award In this song and ofcourse she needs to be serious
@@dazediss6629 Jeez - Lea is superbly talented, and she'd be no fan of yours for pulling the race card. She's far too wise and always shows outstanding professionalism - unlike yourself. She's never asked for, nor wanted anyone like you to speak on her behalf - and rightly so!
Legend from such a young age. Lea Salonga, nobody will ever be like you. You are truly once in a lifetime and forever.
I love how you can see her biting her inner lip during the applause to stop herself smiling... It's so beautiful knowing she's having to fight it back to stay in character and that she really is so humble💜
+Nicole Whinnett Or possibly to stop herself crying. When an actor becomes immersed in a role, it's not always easy to turn it off once the scene is over.
+Martha Ward that is more likely good thing I'm not the only one who noticed it
+Nicole Whinnett Martha nailed it..... and in some ways it's the difference between a Broadway style performance, and "American Idol" and the like. The Broadway actor/actress BECOMES the character, and sings while living the emotional life of that character. So in this cut, you are seeing Lea become Eponine, and the lip bite isn't her being humble Lea, but still Eponine, feeling the feeling she just sang about.
+Stanley Slawski its probably both I know that if I had just nailed it, I would want to smile too! :)
Stanley Slawski l
The clearest singer ever!! Clean dictions!!!
Covid can't stop me for watching Ms Lea
Syempre wala naman lockdown sa internet nyo
@@belmontelancechristopherol597 🤣🤣
Covid made you watch her
Me too
Same hahahah
I truly feel sorry that there are people who've never seen this most precious and rare gems of theatrical performance and there are those who don't know how to appreciate it...give them time, I hope they come around and can allow themselves to be immersed in the splendour of such a treasure
There was a one mistake here.. she set the bar high in this role... It'll be tough to beat her.
true, ive listen to many version of this song but no one can sing it better than Lea.. this song is sweet and innocent with a little spice on it.
This song was her audition piece for Miss Saigon, I bet she'd already mastered it - Perfection it is!
Samantha Barks is quite good too
@@xuanlu4554 i love samantha version too & she's the first ive heard sing this song
Tiffany me too! That’s why I quite like Samantha’s version 😁
She sang the hell, the heaven, the light, and the darkness in and out of that song. Lea Salonga is the Voice of Broadway.
Lea Salonga is a legend, everyone critiquing her performance is like saying Michael Jordan isn't that good in basketball. Are you serious. She has the awards hanging up to prove it. Getting a Tony isn't like winning a Grammy or AMA, you have to actually have talent. Lea Salonga is one of the greatest voices in the modern era. I am not a super Broadway fan but know who Lea Salonga is. That is a sign that you got that "it" factor. comparing her is like comparing Michael Jordan to Lebron.
+Anna O'byrne she's the singing voice of mulan and jasmine
It's not always about talent though. The most talented people can still be outperformed by others - some people feel that a victimised Eponine is 'better' than angry Eponine - it's really a matter of who has the most fitting and convincing interpretation of the character. Eg. I personally like angsty/frustrated/jealous/spiteful Eponine and that character doesn't necessarily come through in Lea's performance over another actress'. As for basketball... I'm not sure there are so many ways to define what makes a good basketball player as there are a good Eponine
+Joe Sabo she's the voice of DISNEY
+Anna O'byrne Did She won the "Tony" and "Lawrence Olivier" award?
+edmhie1 yes as kim for miss saigon grandslam for best actress actually.
Idk why, but I get chills when she sings the line "In the rain, the pavement shines like silver"
Same, it's like there's a shift in emotion.
The 'pretending' part... Its just so perfect and elegant unlike others who makes me cringed
Agreeee.
Oh yes!!
While this is a beautiful interpretation, Eponine was a kid. She was childish. The bit of shouting in Sam and Frances’ versions convey the emotional level of a teenager better.
Agreed, a lot of people seem to fall into that vocal “trap” which feels too show-off-y and disconnected from the buildup
Dani Ca, yes! She does it so well. I’m using this for my audition in a cappella. This is like the hardest part. It changes all of the patterns.
Five stages of grief
1:42-2:44 - Denial/Isolation - She's alone, pretending he's there even though deep down she knows it's not real.
2:58-3:12 - Bargaining - "Still I say...there's a way for us..." - She's trying to make it work in her head to avoid reality.
3:11-3:35 - Depression - This is the height of her depression, although the whole song has a depressing tone to it. She has snapped back into reality a bit and realizes what her life will be without the one she loves.
3:48-3:53 - Anger - Notice her face when she says "without me, his world will go on turning" - She's angry...angry at him for being so aloof, at herself for not doing enough, at life for being so unfair. Why does he get to be happy when she cannot?
4:25-4:30 - Acceptance - She resigns herself to the fact that she will never have him...except in her mind.
This is actually pretty great to keep in mind while listening :)
Very Well
Deep.... But true
Thx for the light ^_^
I kinda wish it was in the right order
After all these years. She's still THE EPONINE OF ALL EPONINES.
Maybe there's a lot of good Eponines, but Lea is still untouched.
Lea is the best. Yet, I still cherish the original, created & sung by Frances Rufelle, both in London & on Broadway.
It's 2024 and I'm still and forever be in love with this song, the best version ever.
I don't believe I've ever heard a singer with such clear diction, accompanied by her consummate character acting and expression of passion and mood.
There are currently 9,999 comments, which makes this the 10,000th. So I will share this anecdote: Many years ago, my brother and I were driving from Canada to Texas to visit family when we decided to stop in Chicago. On a total lark, a Saturday matinee of Les Mis was playing and nosebleed tickets were still available. I'd not seen it before, but my brother had and so he went into it with expectations. When Eponine first came on stage, my brother leaned over and whispered something to the effect of "an Asian Eponine? That's not right!" But then she started to sing and any expression of criticism or doubt abruptly ceased. Now in 2020, I compared notes with my brother and checked the timeline, and realized that indeed, in 1996, I had seen Lea Salonga perform live as Eponine. Now, almost 25 years later, although I recall being impressed at the time, I regret not having truly appreciated what I had witnessed in the moment.
I love how you said “on a total lark”, because that’s what Hugo calls Cosette in the book!
I regret not seeing her in Miss Saigon or Les Mis, but I did see her in a quaint concert in Manhattan and even met her afterward.
You're so lucky
Ah you have been blessed!!!
Saw her in Flower Drum Song in LA ages ago, didn't know the story but I knew she was in it and that was all I needed to know. 🤩
The Voice, Control, Emotions, Diction & Pronounciation, I can say that this performance was beyond PERFECT!
100 percent agree!
many focused on her voice, let's not forget her acting was very convincing.
Absolutely! Everyone who loves Lea's performance of this song should also check out Lea Salonga and Michael Ball singing "A Little Fall of Rain" from this same concert. Gorgeous singing and acting that will blow you away!!!
Does anyone agree that this is the greatest song in the history of musicals?
It's right up there for me, no question.
This and Betty Buckley's Memories from Cats...what musical theater should aspire to.
Candice's Choice n
Amazing how relevant this song is to any generation!
Well not as great as If I were rich man, defying gravity, and one day more
But I see your point
As dumb luck with have it, my career led me to London when she was performing in BOTH Les Mis AND Miss Saigon at the same time. I saw her perform in both shows the same week!!! I’ll never forget it…
OMG THAT'S AWESOME! I'm Filipino yet I still haven't even seen her perform or even meet her in real life yet 😭
L7cky! 🎉
Well, you can't spell cLEAr without LEA.
Truuuu
WELL PUT! So hilariously true. This lady defines clarity and purity of voice.
Well you could spell a cr without her
clever
👏🏼👏🏼
So beautifully sung! Her voice is unbelievably special. Better than the rest!
I don't think this song can be sung better than it is here. This performance is extraordinary. Powerful, nuanced, moving. I've watched this video countless times and I'm moved to tears almost every time. And not just because of the meaning of the song in the context of the story. Greatness is an awesome thing to witness, especially when the stakes are so high.
THIS.
Yes, the french version of 1991
Yep. This is a masterpiece.
Hi my fellow Vietnamese
What a powerful and magnificently beautiful voice Lea Salonga has!
Her vocal performance in this concert is the gold standard for Eponine, IMO.
Couldn't agree more.
Yessss!
absolutly!
Mme
TRUE!!
Let's be honest. You can't remember the number of times you watched this performance.
yup
Yes
Yes.. haha Lss
true
Yes 😂
Her staying in character through the applause is epic. Her voice has been legendary since the 80's
Damn how did I not know she did the (singing) voices of Mulan and Yasmine. She's amazing!
Julianne Storms SHE DID???
Tamty Universe Yep
I’ve loved her since Miss Saigon. She’s so perfect. 😭
*jasmine
@@twentyonepilotsabouttoland7952 yes, Tarzan and Hercules also.
Imagine seeing this live... Chills, just chills.
Fortunate to have...yes,brilliant!
Me too several times , such a privilege
I would cry
Angel I did every time, I also saw Lea in Miss Saigon , she has the voice of a angel
@@beverleybrown2205 I've never heard an "angel" sing. What do they sound like?
Her face in the end is like "I told you so" / "Asians can do this role" and her teary eyes shows that she has passed through all the struggles she had to get that role, tears of victory!
@@democrrrracymanifest fr¿
Umm nobody doubted her for that reason but ok?
@@Konig141 she said it herself. But of course u know the real reason 🤗
@@democrrrracymanifest Well talent in that case isn’t the meaning you thought. It means the talent as in actors and performers. Like there is the “crew” and the “talent”.
Sha Dessi is so good in this role and shes asian and she is literally amazing in the role of Éponine
BEST version of this song ever. Ever. (And there have been many)
her acting was so good at the end that i thought she wasn't gonna have enough breath for the last "but only on my own". should've known better. her technique is flawless.
And she sang the last 3 words in a single breath ...
nope she did that breathing to be heard for a purpose to let us understood the act but I beleive she can sing the whole song without breathing 😂
When I was a kid, I always dreamed to be like her, so I joined a lot of school theatre clubs but I end up being a props man.
Good for you tho, you still a prop not a crap
@@company-qu4ku 😂😂😂
@@company-qu4ku 🤣🤣
Atleast your still a props man rather than nothing or a clapper. Better to start on lower status that begin on the higher rank
Omg just go on! You'll be there someday. Who knows?
"On My Own"
And now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to turn, no one to go to
Without a home, without a friend
Without a face to say hello to
But now the night is near
And I can make-believe he's here
Sometimes I walk alone at night
When everybody else is sleeping
I think of him and then I'm happy
With the company I'm keeping
The city goes to bed
And I can live inside my head
On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him 'til morning
Without him, I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way, I close my eyes and he has found me
In the rain
The pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say there's a way for us
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone
The river's just a river
Without him, the world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending
Without me, his world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness that I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him...
But only on my own...
Thanks for the effort but her diction is sooo clear you wont need the lyrics haha
Is this even needed
@@matchyu yes
@@MiRa-kv4sy, but for foreigner, it's very needed. :p
@@romanovamarianikolaevna hahaha it's okay i was just joking haha
Lea Salonga's rendition of "On My Own" from Les Misérables is simply spellbinding! Her emotional depth and vocal prowess bring this iconic song to life in the most breathtaking way. Every note she sings resonates with passion and longing, capturing the essence of Eponine's character flawlessly.
Frances' original rendition of this song portrayed a more childish, heartbroken Eponine. Lea's version transforms Eponine into a very complex character who is angry, upset, and dejected, but still dreams of having mutual love. The complexity of her version as well as her crystal clear, perfectly pitched voice is what brings me back to this video. Eponine as we know her today is greatly based off of Lea's version. While other versions (like Samantha's) are beautiful, no one has gotten the mix of emotions just right the way Lea has here.
+nons I disagree, Ruffelle put much more heart and emotion into her renditions. Every time I hear Lea sing this, I find her performance, completely emotionless. She sings so rapidly and matter of factually, she never lets herself go, you never get the same yearning feeling you get from Ruffelle. Leas performances just come off cold and boring in my opinion. But hey, everyone likes something different I guess.
+Bushviper ..yet most ppl outright didn't like Rufelle's rendition, she sounded like a monotonous whining girl.
+Axin younger people tend to not like Rufelle, most older people I have ever talked to prefer her. The younger generation has their own mind about how a singer should sing and has developed a mold that they like their singers to fit into. They tend to not be open to unique singers that dont fit that mold, which is unfortunate because that types of singers are generally the ones that bring the most character to the role.
I don't listen to any performance of this in terms of who sings it, but whether I can hear Eponine's heart in the lyrics and the melody. My problem with the Ruffelle version is that I don't like her her phrasing and enunciation on particular syllables - it makes it sound more like an 80s power ballad (so of its time) than a musical performance in its own right. I do not have a favourite performer, but I do not hear Eponine in Ruffelle's performance. I hear it in Lea's and in Sam's, but I don't think it is about someone being better. It's just about who, to me, persuades me that they're Eponine. Frances Ruffelle can clearly sing. She just isn't Eponine enough for my ears. But it is all personal opinion. There is no right answer.
+nons Bravo. Love reading comments like this on youtube, so sick of the trolls and idiots. Thank you nons for restoring my faith in the internet!!
It's 2022 and I'm still mesmerized by this performance.
This song was written for her, for sure!! 🙈❤️🇵🇭
@@leivergara6657 or she made the song for her own.
Me too
Me too! My favorite!
It’s 2023, and I’ve returned again to watch, and listen. Done so countless times.
The people who watched this live for sure they'll never forget this performance. Absolutely once in a lifetime.
Mrs. Salonga owned this song like no one else has or ever will.
Amen to that. Reduces me to a blubbering wreck every time.
She's actually Mrs. Chien. Salonga is her maiden name so during this performance, she was Ms. Salonga.
mrs salonga would be her mother
I have to pay big respect to the producers & composers of Les Miserables musical. They gambled on giving the role of Eponine to a non-Caucassian; however, they really know what they are doing for giving this role to Lea Salonga. Lea Salonga confirmed that she can exceed or surpass the expectations. No offence to other great singers who portrayed the role of Eponine, and I’ve watched a substantial number of Eponines; but in my opinion, Lea Salonga did the best performance of Eponine and best rendition of this song. Fell in love with this song the moment I heard it from Frances Ruffelle (who originated it) and Linzi Hately but when Lea Salonga did it, I got obsessed with it. She practically recreated the character of Eponine. Quite an epic!
Also during Miss Saigon, the Actors Equity conflict. The funny part about that is during the Tony Awards, Lea thanked AE despite what they did.
I love it when an underdog becomes...an overdog.
@@job4674 White/European
@@job4674 I meant White or Europeans. Although most Americans (US) are white because their ancestors are Europeans, most of them(White Americans) don't consider their selves as Europeans.
She's the perfect Eponine in my opinion and she nailed this song, and although Lea did great as Fantine, I always prefer Ruthie Henshall! Her version of I dreamed a dream always brings me tears and an avalanche of tragedies
The big difference in Eponine's portrayal in the different versions of "Les Miserables" is that in the book, she doesn't deserve Marius, while in the musical, Marius doesn't deserve her.
SO TRUE
Haha yeah.. I really hate her in the book but when I watched the musical I was like why did they portray her like she's so pitiful??
yeah
@@sorestedhebytheTumtumtree lmao what was she like in the book
anna lytical well to be fair she is really pitiful but I never felt sympathy for her not until I watched the musical. I feel sorry for Anzelma but not to her. Maybe because she was cold to little Cossette, maybe because the money Fantine sent for Cossette ended up used for Eponine and Anzelma or most likely because she's a selfish little thing. Marius has no plan of joining the rebellion. But this Eponine tired of being a bridge thought "if I couldn't have him then it's better if we die together " (I really hate her at this part.) So she hid Cosette's letter(?) and informed Marius that Cossette left for England(?) Marius in despair joined the rebellion. Eponine then saved Marius. Eponine's death was tragic but was not sweet like A little fall of Rain.
* (?)- I'm not sure if this is exactly what happened.
2024 and I’m still watching this
Here also in 2024.
I am still watching in 2024 ❤ Lea Salonga the Filipino people’s pride
I think I’ll be watching this wonderful show….for ever and ever!
@@jilliansmith3364 Here also in 2024.
Dec 2024
She turned what could have been a 2 dimensional wishy washy lovesick character into such a complex being with one song. It would have been easy for her to be sad while singing this song, heartbroken and even desperate, but Eponine had some street smarts in her. She was a tough cookie, had to be. When she was young her mother doted her but then everything went to shit after Jean Valjean took Cosette away. She was worth nothing more than a look out for her parents and the one person she considers her friend and potential lover, falls for another. Yeah, she's pissed, she mad at him, at herself, the world in general, but in the end she realizes that she can't take away his happiness for the sake of her own. It's not fair to him or her and Lea portrays this so well in the final notes. So hands down, my favorite Eponine.
Not true. Frances Ruffel is the one who created a three dimensional character with heart and soul. Lea was too clean, everything from the enunciation to the singing had no edge to it.
@@DeepScreenAnalysis I just dont see it I'm afraid. When I listen to frances it feels like Im listening to a bonus track on the album from a mediocre 80s pop star. Bonnie tyler or something. Nothing against her, shes obviously very talented, but I just cannot appreciate her as Eponine.
Messylin Ew...
fun fact : in the brick éponine was the one who gave marius the idea to go to the barricades, dressed as a dude, the reason is because she thought if she can't have him no one can
@@DeepScreenAnalysis Frances revealed in a 2010 interview w/ Elizabeth Sanderson that she was never invited to take part in this Dream Cast concert. Hence, the creators of this musical felt that Lea was the definitive choice for Eponine despite her not being white (minorities were rarely hired for Les Miz back then).
Lea Salonga is the Greatest Phillipines' gift to the global entertainment industry.
I'm a Malaysian fan.
Ya true the only filipina thats great singer 👩🏻🎤
@@hazzaf1761 "Only"???
@@hazzaf1761 sounds like you haven't actually heard other filipina singers
Yes and she’s a great representation of asian too :)
You’re welcome! ❤️
English is my second language. This means I cannot hear the language as much as the native speakers do. But Lea Salonga's voice is so clear and I can hear every word she sings. Of course, on top of it, she sings beautifully. She iis special.
English is also her second language. :)
Filipinos speaking English without the strong Philippine accent is very understandable.
@@GriseWeisshark that’s amazing I am British, English being my first language and this is as clear as day. Proper English
I can't help but get teary eyed whenever I watch this performance. Heartfelt, full of emotions, crystal clear voice. Perfect.
Are you kidding me? This is literal perfection.
25 years later and this is still the best version, I think.
I love the original London cast girl though! Such a unique voice. This is a very close second :)
Her voice is clearer than my future!. 2019 but still watching
so true lmao
Zin, still watching.
Same! 😍😍😍
clearer than your future? well, that's not saying much, at least compared to my future.
Parts of.it feel.rushed and not.completed.
She should be known worldwide. This person is art itself
Who's still watching this in 2016?
Lea is my favorite Eponine of all time. No one comes close.
meee
Mee
me
Never tire of watching this again and again. Simply one of the best, if not the best.
i do. agree she IS Eponine! #legend
I wonder if Lea gets shocked by how amazing her own vocals are.
what do you think of this one?ua-cam.com/video/AUT9XdMZNCY/v-deo.html
What a wonderful singer and beautiful lady also 💗
the clarity in her voice is amazing
+Tara LS ............. she is remarkable
No one articulates a song as well as Lea every word is absolutely clear She is wonderful
Patti Lupone as well (in Evita)
Her pronounciation is so clear when she's singing. I wish I could speak like that.
It's not just her fantastic range -- Lea is simply the most intelligent singer on the boards, or the one most respectful of her audience's intelligence. There's always another nuance to intrigue, to titillate, to satisfy. It is what makes her today, 21 years later, queen of the cabaret, and if producers would realize that she is no more "Asian" than Doris Day, would make her the toast of Broadway, too.
+Robert Brault indeed she is one of the best in Broadway if not the best specially on the part of satisfying the audiences, for me she looks ethnically ambiguous aha somewhat similar to demi lovato :D
Lea HAS been the toast of Broadway. Cameron Mackintosh certainly didn't care that she's not white, casting her in two different plum roles in Les Miserables.
Mirla, I don't mean to detract from Lea's exquisite performances in the Les Miserables ensemble, but when I say, "toast of Broadway,: I'm speaking of the likes of Julie Andrews and Mary Martin and Gwen Verdon. Lea has it in her to revive the concept of the "Broadway leading lady." She should have entire productions written around her and not confined to an Asian setting, as in the remake of Flower Drum Song and Allegiance.
No argument from me there. Voice from God.
I love this part "in the rain, the pavement shines like silver" specifically the "like" part so soft and beautiful.
i bet that's what it sounds like in heaven
*Silvur*
And nobody did that elongation of that note like she did.
she conveyed being in love in that part so beautifully! when you're in love (even if it's a thing), things will not be just "things"--you see something so beautiful and much more within it. plus, the way she sang "in my head" is like she's excited and kinda miserable.
maybe it's because it's the only way she can be nearest to him and the only way she can express her love openly and at the same time, she knew at the end of the day, she only loves him on her own.
WAAAAA GALING TALAGA NIYA BRO👌🏻😭😭
I have a friend who studied music several years, she says this girl is a master of the technique, the way she move her mouth is how she reach that vocal power.
You can feel the joy of being loved, the pain of being left alone, the sadness of wanting to be with your loved and the acceptance that you will be okay, even if you’re on your own. Damn. Lea can really convey the emotions just through her voice. Chills.
And the anger of, “I hate you for not loving me, and I almost hate myself for being dumb enough to love you.” I love the fire and defiance in her eyes throughout the song, even in the moments of intense pain.
@@bethanyirene7120I see it as more of sheer courage, perseverance & utter survival.
Im starting watching lea salonga videos Like DAMN WHO'S WITH ME? I really admire her now . respect
meee 😄
I'm with you
oh my. a mutual. Lisa is my life and Lea is my hero.
me! 💙
Me🙋🙋
Still watching this in July 2016 and won't stop....
22nd of August, 12:36am
8/30/2016- 12:10am
sept.1 2016 :)
+Kevin Baconga September 3rd 2016
September 6, 2016 the best version ever
I guess it was time for my semi-annual listen to this absolute angel on Earth giving the most impressive singing performance I've ever seen or heard.
the diction. my god, the diction. and she doesn’t sacrifice emotion for it.
what do you think of this one?ua-cam.com/video/AUT9XdMZNCY/v-deo.html
She slays as Fantine and Eponine, get a woman who can do both
I think shes better at eponine though!
she slays as Jasmine and Mulan
she slays as kim
Basically she kills it all
LMAO
Lea Salonga’s version is the standard you can see everyone else is trying to copy it.
The original 1980 French version sung by Rose Laurens knocks this for six easily. The lyrics are even more beautifully written and it's called "The Air Of Misery" instead.
But she performs it as Fantine instead, because originally the song was sung by Fantine after she gets fired and kicked out onto the street. She sings about the misery she is smelling in the air and the poverty she is seeing in the streets.
ua-cam.com/video/5FVNsAw-45k/v-deo.html
Brings a tear to your eye the original version does.
@@colliric i thought les mis started at 1985?
@@earljohnsanchez2493 That was the Cameron Mackintosh English Translated version for it's West End production.
It in fact premiered on Stage in Paris during 1980 with the original French Language production following it's initial French Concept Album recording.
Here is the full original album recording:
ua-cam.com/play/PL8f_ACV3dM09rZCc5n_VGEgOr2YJVTqv2.html
Have fun, it's awesome. In some ways the English version, which made several changes, is an improvement (the prologue is entirely missing in the French original, as is Javert's "Stars"), in other ways the original 1980 French Language version is the masterpiece(Rose Laurens as Fantine is the best ever, and yes she also gave the best rendition of "I dreamed A Dream" in my opinion).
Lea owns On My Own and I Dreamed a Dream. Can’t believe I cried hearing her versions. She is perfect pitch. 5 stages of grief in her version of On My Own. Everything she touches turns into gold. Such a legend!
@@colliric thanks for linking it. It's excellent, but the CONSTANT quaver gets to me. I think Lea's intensely (too?) clear version is a rough juxtaposition with the version you linked. Both excellent interpretations, though I prefer Lea's.
2:31 '..in the darkness..' I've never heard anyone sing, invoke imagery of the word 'darkness' in such a bright and positively magical way. It became the perfect backdrop for beautiful things or like a veil that hids wonderful possibilities.. her delivery defied the common usage of that word. She paints with her voice so well.
The thing about Lea is that this isn't hard for her. She just reaches the notes so casually, no straining or breaks, just up and down the notes effortlessly
The "I love him" at 4:04 is so raw and pure. She really embraces her character. Just beautiful.
I actually cried around that part once 😅😭
Lea's performance here is something personal as she said. She shows to the whole world that asian like her can also perform in the world of musical theater which are mostly cast of white people before this 10th anniversary of Les Miz. She has also been rejected to be part of musical play in europe before and the reason is because of her race, sheis she is asian. So when she has given a chance here in 10th anniversary she gave her very best to show to the world that they were wrong, asian like her can do what the othervraces can do on musical theater.
One more thing is the song On My Own is also very memorable to Lea, this is the song she sung on first Miss Saigon audition.
The best EVER. No shouting, just pure tone. Effortless and gorgeous 💕
I just saw Samantha Barks version and that gave me chills, but Lea's version convinced me more, her performance made me really believe it.
I really love the fact that Lea's version have this anger and bitterness. Her version is the only one who have this element aside from hurt, inlove, dreaming, hoping and agony which every one have.
I connect deeply with this. In real life, when this happens, there's 2 causes for bitterness and anger. First, unrequited love can be so painful that it feels inherently cruel. There's a person over there who says they care about you, who could cure all your ills with a kiss and they are just going to let you suffer instead. Do they know the torment this is causing you? It's not a rational line of thought, but it's very difficult to deviate from that when you are stricken with this.
Second, if and when you decide to talk about this, your friends and family will implore you to let it go and move on, and they will tell you that if you believe you love this person who you never got to be in a relationship with, then there is something fundamental you don't understand about love. Maybe they will give you that "you're in love with THE IDEA OF him/her." But because your feelings for them are so strong, you argue with them and eventually you withdraw from those conversations with friends and family, you feel like the outlier, the reject, you insist on pursuing your heart, now with an added chip on your shoulder of not having the validation of society understanding you.
I could feel all of that in her tone and gestures and the song does not even address that aspect of it at all. Perhaps it hints at it. The line "And I know, it's only in my mind/that I'm talking to myself and not to him" could be because other people have told her that over and over and she's tired of hearing it, or it might not be. It's certainly not addressed in the play either. Eponine truly does appear to deal with those feelings on her own.
syvhne she sang it again 6 months ago. Its on youtube :)
when she sings "i love him" at the last part, you can truly sense the longing and desperation in her voice. this is really the most heartfelt rendition of this song
+Lana Castillo gives me chills every time I watch it. Proud to be a Filipina :)
+Sheena Raymundo (Xin) .... agreed .... her performance , emotion and outstanding voice gives me chills and I'm English.
Hitcher177 i'm happy that you love her performance :)
Have you seen Carrie Fletcher do it? She's amazing as well
It feels like Lea's own concert and her co-singer is just cheering for her all along...
The clearer than water. God bless you Lea Salonga of the Philippines ❤👏👏👏 what a great performance no one could be her
she's so pretty even dressed like a peasant wtf
my face could never even if I wear decent ones
@@dyme917 😂
the same way she looked so beautiful even when dressed in dirty rags in Miss Saigon... where she sings "I'd give my life for you". How does she do that?
@@gvnlscnz lol. The dirt on her face os a bad contour. Jk
Hermoso!
she should be a disney princess in some live action remake
She sang the original Mulan theme too 😊
i can totally hear that!
Princess? She should be a Disney Queen!
Shes already a princess, she sing the "a whole new world" and "reflection" so weird she didnt voice them but eh i would say she got the best part and line.
she’s already the signature voice og disneyy
"The essence of my existence is excellence in performance." Said by a 9 year old Lea Salonga. She was not wrong. She is truly amazing a living legend and this song and performance is truly as beautiful as she is.
Just watched Les Miserables for the first time last night in a traveling Broadway production and fell quite in love with it, especially this very song. Here I am hours later and now I feel like last night I just watched a high school production. Lea Salonga is absolutely brilliant.
Still coming back. Been watching this for years.
Jason Jones me too
Same here 💕
me too
I lost count on how many times I've watched this 🤣