I too have heard the duet with Idina - "What If" - and would probably buy the album on the strength of that alone. Quite sublime.

As for the seeming prejudice against Rhydian - well, it is reassuring in a way that we have seen it all before. I used to work with a lady called Kay Dudeney who spotted Michael Ball when he was a member of the Surrey Youth Theatre. She always made a point of encouraging the young potential stars she spotted rather than putting them down. (Indeed when I was part of her team along with people like Elizabeth Seal, Penelope Keith and James Barber, it was something we made a point of doing.)

Rhydian may not be everyone's cup of tea (I would be surprised if he were) but the publicity he is getting - particularly if he is successful - will, in the long run, I believe, benefit musical theatre in this country. The duet alone will get people looking for more material by Idina Menzel.

I just wish Rhydian every success.

I have just listened to the Duet with Idina and Rhydian, It is absolutely first class. Hopefully both will benefit from this track "What If"

I believe it has been arranged as a duet especially for them. My God they both belted it out!!! Beautiful, Beautiful, I have pre ordered the album anyway, but for this one track only I would buy it.. It is having Great reviews.

I am not a member of the Rhydian Appreciation Thread (RAT pack) nor would I designate myself as a member of any Operatic or Musical Theatre fratinity/ sobriety but I particularly like Rhydian Roberts voice. It might not be up to operatic standards = I am not qualified to judge. I find that his singing arouses empathic feelings within me, I am frequently moved to tears. Surely that is the judge of any true artist

Quite innocently I stumbled upon your forum! I must search out for Roberts recordings. He must be very good to risk a duet Idina because she is such a great Star. Not many current West Enders would risk a duet with her!
Its curious because I found his Phantom actually spot on in character and with the slower tempo much closer to Crawfords. Actually the tendency to belt out the Music Of the Night and make the Phantom into a caricature is a modern tendency and I actually don't like it. The Phantom isn't pretty and is mentally as well as physically scarred. Actually he is repulsive. Yet in this great song there is the dynamics of opposite characterisation at work. The real problem for Roberts was a lack of a Christine! He sang in character rather than as a concert version (Josh Groban and countless others have done this). The Creature of the Night in the spotlight glare! His voice and singing faultless. What I liked was the broad friendly grin at the end as he came out of charcater.
I for one would like to see the Phantom character fleshed out by a genuine Actor. Sadly Karim characterisation is predictable and he doesn't inhabit the character.
To many modern west end stage stars actually don't know how to Act and characterise other than sing and dance.

What often gets overlooked is the fact that Rhydian actually IS a bona fide opera singer! OK, he's very young for the genre but has, up to now, done just about everything he can to be considered an outstanding future opera singer. He won the Mario Lanza Prize whilst still at Birmingham Conservatoire for singing 2 operatic arias, plus many other prestigious prizes/awards. The difference with Rhydian compared to just about any other opera singer I have heard is that he can 'adapt' his voice perfectly to the genre he is singing. You only have to listen to his duet with Idina Menzel to realise it's sung in an almost 100% 'pop' voice. Most classically trained and/or opera singers struggle with this discipline (even the great Bryn Terfel can't do it). I think this is something he's developed as a result of not getting through the bootcamp stage of ADWD.... 

The fact is that he's taken a 'different' route than most 'serious' opera singers and that, of course, attracts its share of detractors. But the fact is if he hadn't taken this route would we be having this discussion? Answer is no because I think it would have taken him a lot longer to become famous (although I'm convinced he still would have because one thing Rhydian is to his detractors and fans alike is INTERESTING). 





http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Rhydian-Roberts 

Ramin was clearly impressed

http://www.reallyuseful.com/backstage/behi...-after-the-show


Idina Menzel must also have been impressed to agree to the duet. I find it refreshing (and more than a little bit sad) that the established MT performers seem only too pleased to accept Rhydian into the 'club' whilst *some* of the long-established posters on here remain very sniffy about the whole thing. As has previously been mentioned, the publicity surrounding Rhydian can only have a positive impact on the future of MT, I'm sure. ALW clearly recognises this (from Rhydian's recent press interview the 2 would appear to be close and frequent dinner companions).

Thank you so much for all those information above. I'm very pleased to see the clips. It's obvious that Ramin and Rhydian are getting along so well, and seem genuinely appreciated each other's talents. I'd like to see them working together on the stage in the near future.

CarmineStocky, I don't think some of people on here really sniffy about Rhydian. The majority of the theatre-goers have not seen him performing in any kinds of the MTs. It's bound to be sceptical and suspicious even if ALW recognises him. I take to enjoy his singing through my own judgement, the snip of 'The Prayer' is beautiful, by the way, nobody could persuade me to be fond of something that I hadn't seen or heard. That could apply to the senior members here.

Thanks for posting the clips. I hope that some of those who had become irritated and annoyed by R's name being mentioned on the ALW 60th thread or in fact taking up any space on this site, will be inclined to give him a second chance; having seen for themselves that although not perhaps to their tastes, he is liked and was appreciated by established musical theatre performers that they do respect.

I admire for Rhydian's courage and dedication to the music. He is a true perfectionist, a world class star in the making. Here is a TV documentary for everyone to share:

http://www.itvlocal.com/wales/programmes/

I have been and watched Rydians Youtube entries and all i can say is Wow this guy can sing! He deserves all the success that he obviously is about to have. He is an amazing singer and that can't be taken away from him just because he got off his bum and worked hard, so what if that involved a tv show. I would happily pay to see him in a musical.

I see Rhydian`s debut album has gone platinum and is riding high in the charts. Well deserved because it is a brilliant album. Interesting also to hear in a recent interview that he was offered the ongoing role of Joseph but had to turn it down because of album promotion - and was then subsequently offered to Gareth Gates.

There's a Rhydian Roberts doll. Sort of.

I've just fallen off my chair laughing

Ah Matthew - always one to make me chuckle!

According to peeps at DS, it has not gone platinum yet. It has shipped 300K but sales are just over 220K, making it double gold. Gold/platinum status is based on final sold numbers, not shipped numbers.

In the UK platinum status is granted on shipped albums not sales to end users. Rhydian's album has gone platinum. Amazing sales tbh but no more than his talent deserves IMO.

PS I do find it enlightening that many of the sniffy old dears wanted discussion of Rhydian kept in the Performers Forum so they wouldn't have to read it and what happens? They CAN'T KEEP AWAY. Mr Winn's behaviour in particular puzzles me, he's too interested in someone he professes to dislike intensely for it to not pique my curiosity. In denial about his true feelings for the 'hunky' Mr Roberts, perchance?

Nah. I don't like blonds, I don't like bleached hair, and I don't like short hair. It's true that I do like people who make me laugh and when I saw this video I laughed and laughed and laughed, but no.

If you think I dislike him intensely you're severely mistaken. I don't dislike him at all. I'm neutral. When I posted the link to Coca Cola's Sprite Boy I thought many people would get a laugh from it because the resemblance is uncanny, and I'm sure most of his fans found it funny too. But I'm also sure there were some very angry "how dare he" conversations as well.

I've never said he's a bad singer, but some of the fans need him to be a great actor as well, despite the fact that the video above in which he emotes like crazy shows that he's certainly no actor. The fact that he's not a great actor doesn't make him any less of a singer, but being a good actor requires much, much more than being able to sing well. The lunatic fringe of fandom can't accept that and becomes hostile and belligerent whenever someone suggests that there's a role in the world of entertainment that he's unsuited for. And that's what I dislike: the obsessed fans who take any non-praise comment as an attack on both them and their belovèd.

He's a singer, and a pretty good one. Treat him as a singer rather than as God's gift to theatre and we'll all get on just fine.

I think he is just brilliant, its his look that makes him different. I'm not surprised ALW loves him.

What evidence is there to indicate that ALW loves him?

No evidence at all.

Matthew, I am a Rhydian fan and you are right, the Coke doll is funny.

The platinum status of an album is based on non returnable shipped copies and 300,000 have already been shipped but the easiest way to be certain they are non returnable is to look at retail sales.

Rhydian`s sales expected to break the 300,000 barrier when the charts are announced today................what a brilliant achievement in just 4 weeks.

I`m sure that at his first audition Lee Mead was considered unsuitable without any acting/performing experience - but the raw talent was there and acting/performing experience transformed him into a star. Rhydian already has the most important element - a voice which stands above all others - the rest will come with time. He is destined for the West End and I can`t wait to see all the snobby discriminatory folk on this forum eat their words

Rhydians voices does not stand out above all others.
It stood out on xfactor, when singing on the same bill as other professional performers it did not make a wow impression at all.

jaqs, to you and you aren't alone on this site, Rhydian's voice did not stand out above all others, but to many it does and did. He has a voice that many people enjoy, judging by his record sales and has the respect of other performers and music professionals who have worked with him eg. ALW performance was praised by the current Phantom and Christine.

To the previous poster, not everyone shares your opinion though I do. I suspect if you asked Rhydian who's voice stands out above all others he would not say his own.

My point is that absolute statements have tended to create argument rather than friendly discussion on this site when it comes to Rhydian.

As he is a classically trained young baritone singer, his voice will be fully matured over time; therefore, it's pointless to compare him with other well-qualified mature singers. However, we could see his true potential from his live shows, eg, he has certainly made a stunning performance in Hyde Park on ALW birthday party, although the hand movements need to improve.

After four weeks. Rhydian's debut album has achieved platinum status with over 300,000 CDs sold and is in the top 40 highest sellers of 2008.He is also the top male debut artist of the year.

still doesnt make him a musical theatre performer!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/feat...122.Rhyd_Alert/

The relevant section is

“I was doing well as a young baritone.............I was semi-professional and performing in operas and musicals .

“In the classical world ..... People come to scrutinise, not just to see the performance. One of the problems as a young baritone is you’re always aware there are better singers, people a lot older, because in classical your voice probably continues to improve until you’re 40.

Still doesn't make him a 'good' musical theatre performer.

I hate the word Semi-Professional what does that mean? i take it as I want to be professional and have professional aspirations but I can only be cast in AM DRAM

In this particular case it means he was paid for appearences in musicals and opera but it was not his full time occupation.

In response to your earlier post

it would seem that he has been a musical theatre and opera performer. Noting that you later added the word "good" to that comment in response to the article... I was responding to the factual aspect of your post, not your opinion.

I certainly agree with those who think the voice is not enough and that acting ability may be the more important skill. He is now the best selling male debut recording artist of 2008 and several tour venues have already sold out but this does not mean he will be equally successful in musical theatre. I personally would love the opportunity to see Rhydian in a musical theatre role but would judge performance on the basis of what I saw rather than preconceptions.

Or a current one for the purpose of discussion.

I did meet him before xmas though and he was charming but still a fright to look at and I didnt have to see him perform.

Here is another article, with Rhydians name mentioned as the possible new Phantom

http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=2...eously%3F%3F%3F

Sorry last link didn't work.
Hope this does.
http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=2...eously%3F%3F%3F

Talking of that musical, here's a simply beautiful duet with Hayley Westrenra of All I Ask Of You, kindly captured (from opposite angles) by a couple of Rhydian fans. Hayley turned up unexpectantly for his tour dates in Birmingham and Cardiff. Brilliant chemistry (culminating in what I'm sure is Hayley's first ever on-stage kiss, lol) and, of course, 2 fantastic voices in perfect harmony...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIDuYxeT0js


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCFX-eifo8...feature=related

Rhydian has collaborated with some big names on his new album, O Fortuna -

Rhydian Roberts has announced that he will release second album O Fortuna on November 30.

Rhydian, whose self-titled debut record came out last year, revealed that he had more creative control over his latest offering.

"I had a much more free hand with this album. I could spend my career trying to reinvent myself but ultimately this is me as a real singer," he said.

"This is very much where I envisaged being when I was at music school. I'm made up. It's brilliant. And long may it continue."

The album, which was produced by Karl Jenkins and Nigel Wright and recorded between July and October, includes collaborations with Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

The record includes his own versions of 'Land Of Our Fathers', 'Myfanwy, 'How Great Thou Art', 'Anthem' from the musical Chess, 'Annie's Song' and 'O Fortuna'.

The album also has a new track, 'I Won't Let You Walk This Road Alone', written for Roberts by Grammy award winning songwriter Walter Afansieff.

Roberts' debut album shifted over 500,000 copies, making him the most successful solo male artist of last year.

The tracklisting is as follows:

O Fortuna
Benedictus (Featuring Kiri Te Kanawa)
Myfanwy (Featuring Bryn Terfel)
Conquest Of Paradise
How Great Thou Art
The Living Years
Ave Verum Corpus
Cantilena: Adiemus, Spirit Of The Mountains
I Won't Let You Walk This Road Alone
Anthem
Annie's Song
Land Of My Fathers