Top 10 Best Christines in Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera's Christine Daaé is the heart of the show. Her character has to balance innocence, strength, and emotional depth - all while hitting some of the most demanding notes in musical theatre. The role has been brought to life by some of the most talented performers in the world, each bringing their own flair to the iconic part.This list is all about finding the best of the best when it comes to Christine. Maybe you're a fan of the original star who set the bar for everyone else. Or perhaps you're drawn to a performer with a more modern twist on the character. Some Christines bring operatic perfection, while others excel in acting and emotional expression. It's not just about hitting the high notes - it's about how they bring the character to life and make you feel something unforgettable.
Contrary to what others may say, every note that Sierra sings is perfectly on key. She has the range to achieve the highest notes without sounding like she is grasping blindly for them. Her voice is always true, always perfect.
Many people compare her to Emmy Rossum, who sang the role in the 2005 movie. There can be no comparison, especially if you think about their ages. Sierra was around 29 when she played the part. Emmy was at least 10 years younger. As all people who are musically informed know, a female singer's voice is at its best when she is around 30 years old. It is amazing that Emmy could even sing the part as well as she did. No, she wasn't perfect. Her singing was breathy, and especially on the a cappella runs at the end of "Think of Me," she was off on quite a few notes. But she put in a fantastic performance for her age.
Sierra, on the other hand, has a very powerful voice, yet it is sweet. She makes Christine seem strong and yet vulnerable. As I said before, her voice is at its peak right now. By all rights, her performance - vocally at least - should be better than Emmy's, no matter how good Emmy will be in the future.
Though I will always admire Emmy's performance, Sierra's is by far my favorite. She is powerful, clear, and strong, but she can also sing songs such as "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" with the same potency that marks her more bombastic solos. You can tell that she really begins to think as her character would, to sing as if the words came from her soul, not from the pen of a writer.
To sum this up: Kudos to Emmy - great job, gal. Sierra, rock on!
Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, musician, songwriter, conductor, and dancer. For me, Sarah has it all to be a good Christine - and she is the best. The role was written for her, and it certainly suits her. The range of the role is a little wider than most operatic roles, and the high notes usually mean that a high coloratura will be singing them. How she can take a high E and go down to a G3 in the same song with equal strength and even tone is beyond me. For reference, the lowest note for a soprano in opera is an F3, and that is for a dramatic soprano, a much lower type of soprano.
She has the ability to sing the role with precision and ease, and that's what makes her the best Christine. Most other Christines go off-key on the lows and have brilliant highs, but Sarah is the only one I can think of who has the kind of tone that allows for even singing throughout the range.
Great technique, beautiful voice, and unlike Sierra and Sarah, she emotes well through her voice.
In addition to her voice, she is the best actor to play Christine on Broadway.
She brought not only an angelic voice to the role but truth in her acting as well!
I have enjoyed Harriet Jones as "Christine." I took my family from Japan to the UK to see her as "Christine." She is very nice! How nice she was!
I saw her the other day, and as my first time seeing Phantom of the Opera at the West End, she was stunning.
She brings out such a youthful side of Christine that isn't often seen! She does a beautiful job!
She's an absolute angel. Her portrayal of Christine shows her slightly darker, delusional side, yet at the same time, she remains very innocent and sweet. There's so much control in her voice, and it sounds so beautiful. Not to mention the book-accurate hair and background. She IS Christine.
She gave an incredible performance when I saw her in April 2015. She gave Sierra a real run for her money. In addition to her beautiful voice, she IS Christine, blonde and Swedish like the character in the book.
Emmanuelle Grey Rossum is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is known for her portrayal of Fiona Gallagher in the television series Shameless. Her role in Mystic River initially brought her recognition. She starred in the science-fiction film The Day After Tomorrow and received critical... read more People need to remember how old Emmy was when she did Phantom of the Opera! I think most people don't like her because of the director, the fact that she is gorgeous, and Gerard Butler.
I've been told I sound just like Emmy Rossum singing in POTO, including by my voice teacher, even though I'm younger than Emmy was. (I'm 13.) Sierra Boggess has a great voice, and I love her in The Little Mermaid, but I just don't think her voice is right for Christine. She doesn't sound quite young enough, clear, and innocent. She's always just slightly off key.
If people mention Phantom of the Opera, I immediately think of Emmy and her voice. I've been hearing her for as long as I can remember, and in my eyes, she will always be Christine.
A very charming Christine! Young-looking, very vibrant, and wonderful Samantha on stage. I fell in love the moment she appeared!
Awesome Christine! She was the first one I saw, and she's always been the best for me!
Truly amazing voice with so much charisma!
Along with Sierra Boggess, my favorite Christine. She has the most gorgeous voice and captures the naivety of Christine in a beautiful way.
The way she performs the role is different from any other and has the innocent side of Christine perfectly. She is wonderful to watch on stage.
Katie just is Christine. She sounds magnificent and sounds the right age. The result is far more dramatic and credible than the norm, which often has someone 10-15 years older pretending to be a stressed teen in a terrifying situation. I've never seen the story work better.
Best Christine, in my opinion. Her voice performance was perfect, and she understands the character very well. I realize there are other very good actresses for Christine, but so far, I have not seen one that is better than Sara.
Flawless performer. She was born to be Christine.
She is the best. Her dark voice is beautiful.
Definitely love her rendition of All I Ask of You and Final Lair. It is simply pure, touching, and caressing. Her gentle voice is so gorgeous, better than Sarah Brightman. Number one spot for her efforts and her singing. She is the one for me, number one Christine ever. It makes me cry when she sings melancholy. I could do with her as my Christine if I played the Phantom. I would work with her. We could do Final Lair together.
I was expecting to see Gina in the top ten at least! I'm so sad she stopped doing Phantom before I had a chance to see her. Her Think of Me cadenza is beautiful, and her Final Lair is the best I have heard (in addition to Sierra Boggess). She and Sierra are Christine to me. Also, Gina Beck is really, really pretty.
The Newcomers
Last night, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Kaley Ann Voorhees for the very first time. An outstanding actress with an utterly beautiful voice, Kaley Ann Voorhees shares the stage with very lovely, talented, wonderful actors, singers, and dancers, and she still stands out and shines.
She gave a perfect performance. She is such a remarkable talent, so very gifted. I am very much looking forward to seeing and hearing Kaley Ann Voorhees again.
Watched her live and had goosebumps. I've never been so inspired by a voice. Her personality outside of the theater is so bubbly and authentic - refreshing for an actress of her caliber.
Just saw Phantom in NYC. Ali is amazing. She also has some Filipino ancestry, which gives her a lovely and unique look.
She is a wonderful actress as well. If you live in or near NYC, go see her. You will not be sorry!
Her voice is so hauntingly beautiful, and I love how she gives Christine's voice a darker edge. I love her control and cadenza at the end of Think of Me. The only flaw is that she sounds a bit too operatic to play Christine, who is supposed to be a young, light lyric soprano. Nonetheless, she is a nearly flawless Christine, and her voice really is angelic.
The Canadian cast recording is THE BEST recording. Colm Wilkinson - amazing. I'm not sure who played Carlotta, but she plays the character the best. She's great, but you don't think she's better than Christine. Sometimes I think Carlotta is too good.
Live, I've seen it where I feel like Carlotta overshadows Christine. I have seen it 15 times all over the world. My favorite theatre experience - Paul Stanley as Phantom in Toronto. Not that great at singing but so much stage presence.
She doesn't play Christine. She is Christine when she is on stage. She fully understands her part and brings it to such light. Her voice is stunning and captures everybody who sees her.
Beautiful voice and lots of chemistry onstage with the leading men.
Anna is by far the superior Christine. Out of all the women that have played her, she is definitely the most beautiful one, no competition. Since she's had operatic training, she knows how to control her voice and not scream out the notes.
She played a perfect Christine in the sequel "Love Never Dies," even better than Sierra. Her acting was perfect, and her voice was outstanding and soaring. No wonder Andrew Lloyd Webber chose the Australian cast version to put on film. He said himself it was the best performance he had seen.
I'll remember that show forever! She's incredible at her job.
Mary is truly amazing! She should be in the top ten!
Rachel truly did her research when it came to the acting. She was Leroux-accurate, but also loyally behaved like the women of Christine's time. Women back then showed little emotion, and you could see Rachel's Christine trying to hide her emotion but being overpowered. You can see her react to her surroundings with perfect subtlety.
She also adapts to match the different Phantoms she performs with. Her voice is gorgeous and strong. Rachel hits the high notes easily. She is also a talented dancer and moves with her signature grace. I have seen and loved many Christines, but Rachel's intelligent Christine holds a special place in my heart.
I saw her on tour... what a talent! Her voice is like a butterfly. Although it's not strong, it's beautiful. But I see why she's not on the top ten list because, like I said, the butterfly thing. Other Christines, like Sierra, are a Great Dane. She can eat that butterfly in one bite.
I saw her perform as Christine in March 2015, and she was absolutely breathtaking. One of the best Christines of all time.
Leading lady of the new West End Production in which Udine is lovely and enchanting. A superb voice to out-duel Carlotta makes this starlight a must-see.
Ana Marina brought both a magnificent vocal range and brilliant acting skills to the role.
Sierra Boggess without a doubt!
If I were an audience member watching one of the operas within the show, I wouldn't want a refund if Christine, as played by Lisa Vroman, took over the role from Carlotta. Her Christine makes it more believable that she would rival the diva of the opera house.
To me, Vroman did a superior job at delivering the emotion, appeal, character, and style of Christine. Her particularly lovely voice was able to deliver the range of notes with clarity and volume. We could hear the vocals distinctly. To me, she's #1.
Absolutely wonderful, Celinde is definitely one to watch. My favorite Christine by far, though I can't help but feel she looks a little young. In fact, all the dancer girls in the current cast look about 15!
So it was a little cringey to watch the more sensual scenes with that in mind, but otherwise, I can't wait to see her again in the same role, which is something I've never thought about a performance before.
Celinde is one to look out for! She is very new to the show, but I think she may go on to be one of the best Christines of all time! Her voice is not much different from Sierra Boggess's, but her acting is even better. She is utterly gorgeous as well. I saw Harriet Jones last year, who was amazing, but Celinde totally blew me away!
Amazing! Beautiful interpretation and understanding of the character!
Wonderful performance. Best Christine ever.
Horrible voice! But her acting is amazing.
She's tiny, but she packs a large voice! Her Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again is amazing and powerful. I really enjoyed watching her during her world tour!
We just saw Claire take on the role of Christine in Dubai tonight. Brilliant performance!
She has a really good voice. So sad she's not performing in this role after January 2015 in Hong Kong.
The first Scot to play Christine Daaé, and she really delivers. I would love to see her play Fantine as well. She has an incredible voice, and her acting is absolutely captivating, especially her chemistry with Ben Lewis and Tim Howar. It's amazingly wonderful stuff.
Her facial expressions were those of someone who believed the part they played was real. I saw her yesterday from the front row, and she took my breath away.
Definitely the best I've ever seen.