Stars | Les Misérables

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What motivates someone like Javert? Stars has the answers.

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[amblewat]

I love hearing different interpretations. I think he did a beautiful job. Phillip Quast is still my favorite but this is my second because he puts in so much emotion. His version of the soliloquy is perfection.

[brandywineblogger]

I understand the comments comparing Ball to Quast. I think so many of us own the DVD of the PBS 10th Anniversary Performance with so many of the stars who defined their rolls, and have watched it dozens of times.
Ball with his lighter lyric baritone and phrasing will always be Marius in my heart, but it's still amazing that he could attempt the roll of Javert with the darker tones of the lower part of his range, which are weak.
Javert is a complicated character. He is not a villain- just the perfect foil for Jean Valjean.
Quast with his heavier voice and perfect physical interpretation has no competition.
This saying, Norm Lewis is a close second.

[michaelvogel]

It’s too sweet for Javert!!! He has to be menacing

[bialandgren]

Love Michael Ball as Marius. As Javert, he is too soft just like Rusell Crowe. I love listening to the 10th anniversary concert where Philip Quast absolutely nailed it. I saw Bradley Jaden as Javert against Peter Jöbacks Valjean in the arena spectacular yesterday and OMG can that man spit sing and act.

[maryannfelice]

Michael Ball is just too much. He has the BEST diction. It's the first time I could understand every word of this song. I think they slowed it down a little which makes more dramatic, in my opinion. He didn't need to move about the stage but simply stood in one spot...and it worked well. So dramatic waiting until the last moments to raise his arm with the sword. Fabulous.

[dawnvaughan]

I liked his version. However my favorite Javair is Norm Lewis. Micheal Ball version of Empty Chairs and Empty Tables no one can beat. Michael Ball is gold.

[vickidickinson]

Love Michael Ball in any role. Powerful!

[ribbetjr]

I think the comments comparing him to PQ are fair in that Ball’s performance is much softer and does lack the exacting conviction of Quast’s, but I think it’s a different interpretation rather than a failure of performance. MB is portraying a version of Javert who is driven not by a rigid adherence to a strict moral code (like PQ) but instead by faith in a God who ordains right and wrong — not in the Right and Wrong itself. You can see the conviction in Ball at the end of the song. I ultimately prefer Quast as his intensity is unmatched, but I think it’s fairer to Ball to call this his own interpretation rather than a failure to match Quast’s intensity.

[loridavis]

Philip Quast is my favorite as well. But I have to note that Michael was sick when they filmed this. He had a horrible chest cold. Saw him perform it a few weeks prior and his full voice was spectacular.

[karinhaggmark]

It´s such a pitty that there is no good recording of Hadley Frasers Javert. My first Les Mis experience that will forever be the best one :)

[kimcalvi]

I love this! I've always loved Michael Ball and he nailed it! Philip Quast will only be the benchmark original, but M. Ball did the song justice (pun not intended).

[MrGold]

Micheal does a respectable job here. It almost sounds too "pretty" for the character of Javert. Phillip Quast, on the other hand, is perfection!

[loridavis]

My favorite Javert is Quast as well, but just want to add that Michael was sick when this was filmed. He had a horrible chest cold. Saw the show in London three weeks prior and his full voice performance was amazing.

[Thomas_H._Smith]

Hey NBC, you know you own the rights to the 25th Anniversary Concert too right? I mean, it's great that you're posting Les Miserables content, but I think we could all use some Norm Lewis, Ramin Karimloo, and Samantha Barks.

[johnwright]

Michael is great what he does like Lea Salonga was my Eponie but a great Fantine

[SkatKat]

Could you please add details about the recordings in your descriptions?

[kierstipe]

For Me Roger Allam was a much underrated Javert his dictation wasn't like other Javert's but he made the part his own a powerful Believable Javert.

[bacardimonk]

Firstly I just want to start by saying that I Love Michael Ball, But his Interperation Of "Stars" I find very underwhealming, he is an excellent vocalist but here it just seems to fall flat. Philip Quast will Always be "MY" Javert. Allthough I did see Jemery Secomb perform the role last year and he was Fantastic in the part, almost as good as Quast

[joaquimcevallosmorales]

His voice hasnt aged well, this is it😢

[jerrycaddie]

I was like "This guy is horrible" then I found out it was Michael Ball and now im truly