"Les Miserables [Relativity Complete Symphonic Recording] [Box]" (06/08/2004) Pop Vocal Original Cast, First Night (USA)Music and lyrics written by Alan Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. This studio recording of the internationally popular musical combines members of several casts from around the world singing the complete score, which had never been performed in its entirety until this recording. The booklet contains lyrics, black and white photos, and liner notes by Cameron Mackintosh and David Caddick. This 1999 edition also includes enhanced CD multi-media files featuring selected performance video. Principal cast: Gary Morris (Jean Valjean); Philip Quast (Javert); Tracey Shayne (Cosette); Michael Ball (Marius); Debbie Byrne (Fantine); Kaho Shimada (Eponine); Barry Jame (Thenardier); Gay Soper (Madame Thenardier); Anthony Warlow (Enjolras). Recorded at CTS Studios, Wembley, England, Studio Eleven Eleven, Nashville, Tennessee and Rhinoceros Studios, Sydney, Australia between August and October 1988. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Originally conceived as a simple recording production, Les Miserables evolved quickly into one of the premiere theatre events of the 1980s. Theatrically on par with Phantom of the Opera, Les Miz is drawn from the Victor Hugo novel of the same name. The story chronicles the life of Jean Valjean, a simple Frenchman who was arrested as a youth for stealing a loaf of bread. After serving five years for that crime, as well as an additional 14 for attempted escape, Valjean is released on parole. Upon changing his name and eluding his parole officer, he becomes the surrogate father of a young girl and a mayor as the June Rebellion sets in. As the war rages, he finds that he cannot change the man he is. Les Miserables is typical of theatre in the '80s, with extravagant effects and large, full cast numbers. The beautiful score is full of emotion and humor, including such memorable and noteworthy songs as "Look Down," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "Bring Him Home," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," and the ubiquitous "On My Own." The international studio cast includes members from the London, Broadway, and Tokyo productions, and was recorded at three different locations. ~ Sarah Erlewine Originally conceived as a simple recording production, Les Miserables evolved quickly into one of the premiere theatre events of the 1980s. Theatrically on par with Phantom of the Opera, Les Miz is drawn from the Victor Hugo novel of the same name. The story chronicles the life of Jean Valjean, a simple Frenchman who was arrested as a youth for stealing a loaf of bread. After serving five years for that crime, as well as an additional 14 for attempted escape, Valjean is released on parole. Upon changing his name and eluding his parole officer, Valjean becomes the surrogate father of a young girl and a mayor as the French Revolution sets in. As the war rages, he finds that he cannot change the man he is. Les Miserables is typical of theatre in the '80s, with extravagant effects and large, full cast numbers. The beautiful score is brimming with emotion and humor, including such memorable and noteworthy songs as "Look Down, "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "Bring Him Home," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and the ubiquitous "On My Own." The international studio cast includes members from the London, Broadway, and Tokyo productions and was recorded at three different locations. Often referred to as the "symphonic" recording, this is far more complete than other releases. Instead of just two discs containing the major numbers, this three-disc collection covers the entire show, and its 1999 remastered reissue features bonus video clips from productions around the world. For Les Miserables fanatics, this is a definite must. ~ Sarah Erlewine