Monday, January 11, 2010

Through the Opera Glasses - 43 - Carousel Sing Off













Last Friday my mom and I chanced upon a broadcast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel on TV, so I ended a tiring work week with an unexpected joy.

I was completely crushing on Gordon MacRae, who played carnival barker Billy Bigelow.

On the weekend, I found several versions of If I Loved You on You Tube and ooo-ed and aahh-ed over all of them - which gave me the idea to have a sing-off here at my Through the Opera Glasses post.

First up:

Patrick Wilson, shown here at an intimate performance space in New York known as Seth's Broadway Chatterbox.



Next, we have Hugh Jackman in concert at Carnegie Hall. Keep in mind the audio recording leaves something to be desired. If I Loved You begins at the 2:50 mark:



Our final contender - Gordon MacRae, from the 1956 film. His version starts at 5:08 (with a sigh-worthy kiss preceded by a gaze of desire starting at 7:21) :



What say you?

Janet says I love the last one. But Hugh Jackman? Sigh! Can't decide between the two.

Yousei Hime says Personally, I vote for Hugh Jackman. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Julianne MacLean says I gotta vote for Patrick here. I felt the deep pain and angst, and that's what always gets me, as you know :). Such an intimate performance. Go Patrick go!

UPDATE

And the winner is....Hugh Jackman! Thanks for voting.

7 comments:

Janet said...

I'm a huge fan of anything Rodgers and Hammerstein! In that light, I love the last one. But Hugh Jackman? Sigh! Can't decide between the two.

Yousei Hime said...

Julia,
Thank you for your visit and your comment. Glad you liked the cozy haiku. Enjoying your blog too. Personally, I vote for Hugh Jackman. Mmmmmmmmmm.

sheila said...

That's Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman? OMG.
Wow.

I knew he had lots of talents, but I never knew his voice to be THAT powerful! Nice!

p.s. LOVE your Native American Names! :)

Thomma Lyn said...

I'll have to vote for Hugh Jackman, too. But they're all wonderful.

Wylie Kinson said...

Julia!!
Don't know if you saw my comments on Thomma Lyn's latest blogpost - about her posts not coming up in my reader since mid-December... but YOURS haven't either - not since Dec 14th... so I see I've been missing out on some good stuff.

Although Hugh's version is indeed fabulous, I'm throwing my hat into the ring for Patrick. I <3 him :)

Julianne MacLean said...

Hi cuz - Loved all three, and I'm a big Hugh fan, but I gotta vote for Patrick here. I felt the deep pain and angst, and that's what always gets me, as you know :). Such an intimate performance. Go Patrick go!

Lilly Cain said...

I mentioned this on facebook but I'd better officially vote - Hugh has my heart!