Amazon.com essential video: In 1998 a concert at the Royal Albert Hall celebrated Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday and featured more than two hours of hits from a body of work spanning almost three decades. In this keepsake of a memorable night, star after star steps on to a massive, Eurovision-style set to revisit golden moments in their long association with Britain's most successful composer of musicals. Elaine Paige in big frocks and an even bigger voice delivers "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power; Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretch the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sound great; and Boyzone gets the youth vote. Then there are Kiri Te Kanawa, Bonnie Tyler, Tina Arena, and, of course, another encore for brother Julian Lloyd Webber and those Variations on the cello. But the stars are Sir Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Brightman in an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera (probably his best work), Antonio Banderas (who really can sing), and Glenn Close, a stupendous, moving Norma Desmond in songs from Sunset Boulevard. All in all, a deserved celebration for someone who has given so many people a great deal of pleasure, and a treat for musicals fans of all ages. --Piers Ford
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Be Prepared!!!
I bought this DVD in April to watch with my parents when I came to visit on break from college. We're all Andrew Lloyd Webber fans but had never seen this concert before, so I knew we'd enjoy it.
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Rating: - A brilliant celebration
This is what I call A REAL EXPERIENCE! By far, it's the most brilliant celebration on the work of a musician I've ever seen. If you look for highlights, all the pieces are. There's not even one moment that ... Read More
Rating: - Fabulous renditions of some old and new favorties.
Though not all the songs were performed by the original performers, these were wonderful live rendtions by extremely talented and well known individuals such as Michael Ball, Sara Brightman, Antonio Banderas, ... Read More
Rating: - Andrew Lloyd Weber tribute
Wow, I ordered this for a friend. It arrived right away and the friend insisted I borrow it and see if I liked it. I enjoyed it immensely. Of course I love all the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber but seeing these ... Read More
Rating: - A talented writer
I am not a real critic of performing and producing. I was not familiar with many of the performers so I could not say how they compared with other works that they had produced. I appreciated the variety of works, ... Read More
- Be Prepared!!!
- A talented writer