Les Misérables is a sung-through musical based on the 1862 novel Les Misérables by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo. It premiered in Paris in 1980 and includes music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, as well as an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer. The London production has been running since October 1985, making it the longest-running musical on the West End and the second-longest-running musical in the world (after The Fantasticks).
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Performances
There have been several recordings of this material, including those by the original London and Broadway casts. However, there are no recordings that contain the entirety of the songs, musical score, and spoken parts as featured on stage. The Complete Symphonic Recording comes closest to achieving this, but a pair of songs that were cut from the show following its initial London run, as well as one song present only in the Original French Concept Album, are not included. Of note is that the original motion picture soundtrack reached number 1 on the American Billboard chart.
Characters
The characters who sing solos or duets are:
- Jean Valjean, a morally conflicted paroled convict, prisoner 24601, and the protagonist. Failing to find work with his yellow parole note and redeemed by the Bishop of Digne mercy, he tears up his passport and conceals his identity (under the alias "Monsieur Madeleine" and later "Monsieur Fauchelevent") in order to live his life again as an honest man. However, the police inspector Javert constantly pursues him.
- Fantine, a struggling single mother who becomes a street prostitute in order to pay for her child's well-being. She later dies after giving her life indirectly for Cosette.
- Javert, a wilful police inspector, originally a prison-guard, who becomes obsessed with hunting down Valjean, whom he refers to as "Prisoner 24601" throughout most of the story.
- Éponine, the young daughter of the sinister Thénardiers who was pampered and spoiled as a child but grows up to be ragged in Paris. She secretly loves Marius who remains oblivious to her affection.
- Cosette, Fantine's daughter, who is abused and mistreated by the Thénardiers but whom Valjean later adopts. She grows into a beautiful young woman with an amazing voice.
- Marius Pontmercy, a French student and revolutionary who falls in love with Cosette, but never notices Éponine romantically.
- Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, a crooked couple who own an inn and exploit their customers. They later become a feared band of thieves in the streets of Paris.
- Enjolras, leader of the student revolutionaries who seek to bring revolution and change to France.
- Gavroche, a hotheaded young boy who is adored by the people and aligns himself with their revolution. A "street urchin" who is a true symbol of the youth and boldness of the rebellion.
- Grantaire, a revolutionary who doesn't believe in the causes of the revolution. He reveres Enjolras, and is often drunk.
Songs
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Prologue
Overture / Work Song
The "Overture" is the opening song and a dramatic instrumental introduction that establishes the setting as Toulon, France, 1815. The "Work Song" flows from the "Overture", the former opening with a choir of imprisoned men singing a melody later used in "Look Down" but eventually becoming a dark duet between the prisoner Jean Valjean and the guard Javert. In early versions, such as in the Original London Recording, the "Overture" was essentially just a minor version of the beginning of "At the End of the Day", but is now almost exclusively played with part of the same melody as the "Work Song" and "Look Down". This theme becomes a leitmotif throughout the musical.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, nor did any of the Prologue. However, its music is taken from "Look Down", which appeared as Donnez, Donnez.
- 1991 Paris Revival Version – This song is known as Ouverture (Overture) and Le bagne : pitié, pitié (The Prison: Mercy, mercy).
Other Languages
- 2011 "Los Miserables - Más Que un Musical, una Leyenda" (Les Misérables - More Than a Musical, a Legend) - This version is Spanish, and the song is known as Prólogo.
On Parole
"On Parole" is the second song in the Prologue. Sometimes this is the first half of "Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven", but is commonly known as the first part of "The Bishop of Digne". Valjean travels trying to find a place to work/stay; however, he is shunned almost everywhere he goes. The Bishop brings him in and supplies food and wine.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, nor did any of the Prologue.
- 1991 Paris Revival Version – This song is known as En liberté conditionnelle (On Parole).
Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven
The song contains two parts. In the first, Valjean is invited in by the Bishop and steals the silver. In the second, Valjean is caught by two constables. The former is often omitted in recordings, but when both parts are played, the song is usually known as "The Bishop of Digne".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, nor did any of the Prologue.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as L’évêque de Digne (The Bishop of Digne).
Valjean's Soliloquy – What Have I Done?
"What Have I Done?" is the fourth and final song in the Prologue, sung by the main character, Jean Valjean.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, nor did any of the Prologue.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Pourquoi ai-je permis à cet homme? (Why Did I Allow That Man?).
Act I
At the End of the Day
The music of "At the End of the Day" is fast and intricate, with different melodies coinciding as sung by various groups of poor women and men, female workers, solos by certain workers, and repetitious instrumentation.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as La journée est finie (The Day is Finished), in which it appears as the first song.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Quand un jour est passé (When a Day is Past).
I Dreamed a Dream
"I Dreamed a Dream" is a solo sung by Fantine during the first act and one of the play's most famous numbers. Most of the music is soft and melancholic, but towards the end becomes louder and taut with frustration and anguish as she cries aloud about the wretched state of her life since being abandoned by Cosette's father, and her unfair mistreatment.
- Other uses
- Glee characters Rachel Berry and Shelby Corcoran (portrayed by Lea Michele and Idina Menzel, respectively) recorded a cover version of this song.
- Other covers include Neil Diamond (from his 1987 live album Hot August Night II) and Aretha Franklin (from her 1991 album What You See Is What You Sweat).[1] Franklin also performed this song for U.S. President Bill Clinton on the evening of the day that he was inaugurated.[2]
- In the film The Commitments (1991), one of the auditionees for the titular band sings "I Dreamed a Dream" as her audition song.
- Susan Boyle performed it in 2009 for her audition on the third season of the ITV programme Britain's Got Talent.[3] The song's renewed popularity caused Patti LuPone's 1985 recording to enter the UK Singles Chart, peaking at forty-five with 4,987 digital download sales. "I Dreamed a Dream" is the musical's only chart hit.[4][5]
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie (I Had Dreamed of Another Life).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie (I Had Dreamed of Another Life) but had somewhat different lyrics to the original version.
Lovely Ladies
"Lovely Ladies" is a song from the first act. It is followed by "Fantine's Arrest" and sometimes the two are counted as one song. Fantine, now unemployed, wanders to the docks where she eventually turns to prostitution to survive.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear on the recording, but was a part of the stage show as a song known as La nuit (The Night), which depicts similar events as the scene where Fantine sells her hair in Les beaux cheveux que voilà (The Beautiful Hair That is There). A shortened version of this song was added at the end of J'avais rêvé d'une autre vie (I Had Dreamed of Another Life), which contains the same melody as the final and slower section of Lovely Ladies.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Tu viens, chéri! (You Come, Darling!).
Fantine's Arrest
"Fantine's Arrest" is a song from the first act. It follows "Lovely Ladies" (the two are sometimes counted as one song). Fantine expresses her anger toward Valjean when she believes he is against her. She is overwhelmed by emotion when she thinks of her dying daughter and asks God to let her die instead. Valjean's appearance in the song is sometimes referred to as "Valjean's Intervention". This song is followed by "The Runaway Cart".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song was separated into two songs, which were called Dites-moi ce qui se passe (Tell Me What Happened) and Fantine et Monsieur Madeleine (Fantine and Monsieur Madeleine).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The Runaway Cart
"The Runaway Cart" is a song from the first act, divided into two parts. The chorus, Fauchelevent, and Valjean sing the first with instrumental parts. Valjean sings the second one and Javert on a medium-paced tune often picked up by Javert or other policemen (first sung in "Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven"). The song is cut heavily or left completely out in most recordings. It is known in the School Edition as "The Cart Crash". In the 2012 film, the first part of the song follows "At The End of The Day" with the second part following "Fantine's Arrest".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear on the recording, but was a part of the stage show in slightly longer form.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
Who Am I? – The Trial
"Who Am I?" is a song from the first act, a solo sung by the main character Jean Valjean. It is rather slow-paced and shares a melody with Valjean's solo in "One Day More", as well as the ten-years-later sequence after the Prologue.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear on the recording, but was a part of the stage show as Comment faire? (What to Do?). It includes an additional stanza, in which Valjean shortly reveals his past, since the concept version did not contain the Prologue.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Le procès : comment faire? (The Trial – What to Do?).
Fantine's Death
"Fantine's Death", also known as "Come to Me", is a song from the first act. It is followed by "The Confrontation". It is slow-paced and the tune is very soft. It has the same melody as the more famous "On My Own".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song appears earlier during the second part of the arrest scene as Fantine et Monsieur Madeleine (Fantine and Monsieur Madeleine) and is slightly shorter. Fantine notably does not die on stage, nor does she see Cosette, but Valjean still asks for forgiveness and pledges to find her daughter.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as La mort de Fantine (Fantine's Death).
The Confrontation
The main opposing characters Jean Valjean and Javert sing "The Confrontation". It follows "Come to Me" and is followed by "Castle on a Cloud". The song is low and slow-paced. The instrumentation behind the vocals is the same as in the "Work Song", the melody partly also picks up that song. The song's highlight is Javert and Valjean singing in counterpoint, with the lead alternating.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear. In the stage show, a doctor shortly informed Valjean of Fantine's death and Valjean asked three days to fetch Cosette, which Javert refuses. The music was entirely different, but finished in the same instrumental climax that is still used.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as La confrontation (The Confrontation).
Castle On A Cloud
"Castle on a Cloud" is a solo for the part of young Cosette. She sings about a castle where she does not have to sweep floors and a lady all in white looks after her. It is followed by a tag that breaks away from the main melody, involving the first entrance of Mme Thénardier, which is cut from many recordings. Mme Thénardier verbally abuses Cosette, orders her to fetch some water from a well, praises her daughter young Éponine (a silent role), and again refers to Cosette (after Éponine points to her to show she did not leave), warning that she never asks twice.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – The main song is called Mon prince est en chemin (My Prince is On the Way) where it is preceded by a long instrumental section. The part where Cosette is caught by Mme Thénardier is called Mam'zelle Crapaud (Miss Toad) that is added onto the end of "Castle on a Cloud" in the English version.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Une poupée dans la vitrine (A Doll in the Window). This is a reference to the book; to a doll.
Master of the House
"Master of the House" is one of the better-known songs of the musical, and one of the few with comedic tones. It introduces the Thénardiers and the crooked way that they operate their inn. The song is preceded by a lengthy introduction sung largely by regulars at the inn and Thénardier himself, which is cut from almost all recordings.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as La devise du cabaretier (The Innkeeper's Motto).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Maître Thénardier (Master Thénardier).
The Well Scene
"The Well Scene" is sung by Valjean and Young Cosette. Cosette is walking alone in the woods with a bucket of water. Valjean arrives and Cosette sees him. Valjean tells her to not be afraid. He asks for her name and Cosette tells him. He takes the bucket for her and walks her back to the inn. This scene appears only in the new video production in 2013 and the Czech version.
The Bargain / The Waltz of Treachery
"The Bargain" and "The Waltz of Treachery" are two intertwined songs. Much of the number is often cut from recordings. The latter part of "The Waltz of Treachery" is largely instrumental. It flows directly into "Look Down".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Valjean chez les Thénardier (Valjean at the Thénardiers') and La valse de la fourberie (The Waltz of Treachery).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as La transaction (The Dealing). It is only the second part.
Suddenly
"Suddenly" is a song created for the 2012 film. The song "explains what happens when Valjean takes Cosette from the inn and looks after her".[6] The song appears only on the film and related soundtracks.
Look Down
"Look Down", sometimes referred to as "Paris: 1832", or in the School Edition as "The Beggars", involves one of the best-known themes in the musical, imitating that which is first heard in the "Work Song". It is important for plot, introducing Gavroche, Enjolras, Marius, the adolescent Éponine, the adolescent Cosette, and the plight of the working poor; it flows directly into "The Robbery". The song comes after "Stars" in the Original London Recording and the 2012 film.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Donnez, donnez (Give, Give). The song is about twice as long. It has a second solo sung by Gavroche, where he makes fun of king Louis-Philippe and the politicians. A part of what would later become The Robbery can be found at the end. This stanza asks for some historical knowledge; otherwise, the joke cannot be understood.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Bonjour, Paris (Hello, Paris).
The Robbery / Javert's Intervention
"The Robbery" is a lesser-known song from the musical. The young adults Eponine, Marius, and Cosette are introduced (though Cosette's part in the scene is silent). Marius and Cosette bump into each other and fall in love at first sight. Thénardier attempts to rob Jean Valjean, realizing he is the one "who borrowed Cosette", a brawl breaks out. Éponine cries out as Javert arrives on the scene (a segment of the song commonly known as "Javert's Intervention") but, because Javert does not immediately recognise Valjean, the latter escapes. Thénardier then convinces Javert to let him go and pursue Valjean instead.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song appeared at the end of Donnez, donnez (Give, Give) on the recording, but also existed in the stage show.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
Stars
"Stars" is one of the two chief songs performed as a solo by Javert. It is among the better-known songs from the musical. It comes before "Look Down" in the Original London Version and the 2012 film.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Sous les étoiles (Under the Stars).
Éponine's Errand
"Éponine's Errand" is an important scene in the show in which Marius asks Éponine to discover where Cosette lives and then take him to her. It is clear that Éponine is reluctant to encourage the brewing romance between Marius and Cosette, but because of her love for Marius, she cooperates. The first part follows the same melody as L'un vers l'autre (Towards One Another), a solo for Éponine that appeared on the original concept album but did not make it to the current version. This tune appears throughout the show.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The ABC Café – Red and Black
"The ABC Café – Red and Black", on most recordings referred to as simply "Red and Black", introduces the group of young student revolutionaries, who have formed an organization called the Friends of the ABC. The song name is a mixture from the Café Musain, which was their favourite meeting place in the book and their name, "La Société des Amis de l'ABC" (literally in English, the Society of Friends of the ABC). The name is a pun, as in French "ABC" when pronounced one letter at a time is "abaissé", which is also the word for "lower" (therefore, "Friends of the Lower Class or the Poor"). The song consists of many different changing parts. The song involves a tag, in which Gavroche enters and announces to the students that General Lamarque is dead; Enjolras then sings a solo about how this is a sign for the beginning of the revolution, transitioning directly into "Do You Hear the People Sing?"
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – These songs are known as Rouge et noir (Red and Black), sung by Marius about his meeting with Cosette, followed by Les amis de l'ABC (The Friends of the ABC).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – These songs are known as Le café des amis de l'ABC (The Café of the Friends of the ABC) and Rouge la flamme de la colère (Red, the Flame of Anger). The song order is reversed to match the English versions.
Do You Hear the People Sing?
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" is one of the principal and most recognizable songs from the musical, sometimes (especially in various translated versions of the play) called "The People's Song". A stirring anthem, it is sung twice: once towards the end of the first act, and again at the end of the musical's Finale. Instrumentally, the theme is also prominent in the battle scenes. In the 2012 movie, it is performed after "One Day More".
At the special Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert in 1995, "Do You Hear the People Sing?" was sung as an encore by seventeen different actors who had played Jean Valjean around the world. Each actor sang a line of the song in his own language (except for Jerzy Jeszke, who, although Polish, sang a line in German, having performed the role of Valjean in Germany). The languages sung included French, German, Japanese, Hungarian, Swedish, Polish, Dutch, Norwegian, Czech, Danish, Icelandic and English.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as À la volonté du peuple (To the Will of the People).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is also known as À la volonté du peuple (To the Will of the People), but has slightly different lyrics to the original.
Rue Plumet – In My Life
"Rue Plumet – In My Life", referred to on most recordings as simply "In My Life", largely involves a duet between Cosette and Valjean, though Marius and Éponine also sing near the end. In the Original London recording alone, it plays alongside a Cosette solo, "I Saw Him Once" (Te souviens-tu du premier jour ? in the original 1980 French production), cut out of all other recordings.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Cosette: Dans la vie (Cosette: In Life) and Marius: Dans la vie (Marius: In Life).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Rue Plumet – Dans ma vie (Rue Plumet – In My Life).
A Heart Full of Love
"A Heart Full of Love" is sung by Cosette, Marius, and Éponine, immediately following "In My Life".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Le cœur au bonheur (The Heart in Happiness). Eponine's part in the song is omitted, making the song slightly shorter. She instead sings the short solo Voilà le Soir Qui Tombe (Here is the Falling Night) immediately prior to this song.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Le cœur au bonheur (The Heart in Happiness).
The Attack on Rue Plumet
"The Attack on Rue Plumet" is a three-part song, the first part of which plays in only two recordings: a long version in the 1980 Original French recording and a much-shortened version only on the Complete Symphonic Recording and added into the beginning of "The Attack on Rue Plumet". The second is best known and is played in all recordings while the third is again more important for plot than music. On the London Original Cast recording, it is called the "Plumet Attack". Éponine, bringing Marius to Valjean's house to see Cosette, stumbles upon her father Thénardier and his gang Patron-Minette, made up of Brujon, Babet, Claquesous, and Montparnasse, preparing to rob the house; Éponine screams, dispersing the robbers, while Valjean is led to believe that Javert or his minions have discovered his whereabouts at last, and so prepares to leave at once with Cosette. It is one of the lesser-known songs of the musical, yet serves as an important plot point. Interestingly, the large majority of this song's music is not heard anywhere else in the musical.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – The first part of the song figures as Voilà le soir qui tombe (Behold, The Night Falls), which lasts over a minute and a half and actually occurs between "In My Life" and "A Heart Full of Love". It is sung solo by Éponine and warns Marius about the planned break-in. The second part did not feature on the recording, but was used as a purely instrumental piece in the stage show.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Le casse de la rue Plumet (The Break-In of Rue Plumet).
One Day More
"One Day More" is a choral piece with many solos: all of the main characters (except for Fantine and The Bishop, both of whom have died by this point) sing in it in a counterpoint style known as dramatic quodlibet, as well as parts by the ensemble. It is the finale to Act 1. The song borrows themes from several songs from the first act.
Each character sings his/her part to a different melody at the same time (counterpoint), before joining for the final chorus:
- Valjean picks up the melody of "Who Am I?" without any changes (A major)
- Marius, Cosette and Éponine sing to the melody of "I Dreamed a Dream" with Éponine taking the bridge ("But the tigers come at night", sung by Éponine as "One more day all on my own") and the other two taking a countermelody that is only instrumental in Fantine's solo. (A major, modulating to F♯ minor)
- Enjolras repeats the bridge melody of "I Dreamed a Dream" with Marius singing the countermelody. (E♭ major)
- Javert sings to the already often-used theme from "Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven", "Fantine's Arrest" and "The Robbery/Javert's Intervention", only slower and in a major key. (A major)
- The Thénardiers sing to a slightly changed melody from "Master of the House" (A major)
- The revolutionaries repeat the bridge melody of "I Dreamed a Dream" with the countermelody. (A major)
- At the end of the song, everyone sings the melody of "Who Am I?" (C major)
- Other uses
The song was used by Bill Clinton in his successful 1992 campaign for the presidency of the United States.[7] Another version was used by Barack Obama supporters during his successful 2008 election campaign. It was also used as a finale to the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Misérables at The O2, sung by the OLC with Ramin Karimloo singing the part of Enjolras.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Demain (Tomorrow). It is slightly longer, finishing with a short solo from Valjean.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Le grand jour (The Big Day).
Act II
Upon These Stones – Building the Barricade
"Building the Barricade" is the entr'acte of the musical and contains a new theme, which transitions into Éponine's appearance at the barricade, and her sung dialogue with Marius and later with Valjean as she passes to him a letter from Marius intended for Cosette. It is often cut out of recordings in part or completely. On the Complete Symphonic Recording, this song is mislabeled "At the Barricade".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear on the recording, but was present in the stage show.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as La première barricade (The First Barricade). The section where Éponine delivers the letter to Valjean is cut.
On My Own
"On My Own" is a solo part for Éponine. The refrain of the song is the same tune as that of "Fantine's Death (Come to Me)", although it adds a bridge and the tune of the verses are different. Beginning in the key of D, modulating to B♭ (even though the song does not actually change key), then ending in F, this is her most important song. In the film adaptation, the song comes after The Attack on Rue Plumet and before One Day More.
- Other uses
"On My Own" has appeared in many famous events outside of Les Misérables, for example:
- The character of Rachel Berry in Glee, played by Lea Michele (who played Eponine at the Hollywood Bowl production of Les Mis), sang this song as an audition to join the Glee Club in the pilot episode.[8] Michele's version has been released as a digital download single.
- Anne Hathaway parodied the song at the 83rd Academy Awards. (Hathaway would later go on to play Fantine in the 2012 film version of Les Misérables.)
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not figure, although the music was adapted from L'air de la misère (The Air of Misery), which was sung by Fantine about her misery and suffering. Éponine's solo was known as L'un vers l'autre (The One Toward the Other), bearing no resemblance.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Mon histoire (My Story).
Upon These Stones – At the Barricade
"At the Barricade", also called "Back at the Barricade", begins with an instrumental reprise of the "Red and Black" and a sung reprise of the "Upon These Stones" musical themes. It is also the first of the two times that a National Guardsmen sings a warning to the revolutionaries. On the Complete Symphonic Recording, this song is mislabeled "Building the Barricade".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Sur la barricade (On the Barricade).
Javert's Arrival
"Javert's Arrival"(also known as "Javert at the Barricade" or "Javert's Return"), involves Javert's return to the barricade to report on the enemy's plans; however, he is interrupted by Gavroche's exposing him as a spy in "Little People".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song was a part of the stage show in similar form, but was not a part of the recording.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Je sais ce qui se trame (I Know What is Happening).
Little People
"Little People" begins as Gavroche proudly and merrily uncovers Javert's identity as an undercover police inspector. Most of the song is omitted in the 2012 film, only sung at "The Second Attack".
- Versions
The Original London Recording included a much longer version sung by Gavroche in the first act, between "Look Down" and "Red and Black". This original version was related to Gavroche being able to be useful even though small, rather than the uncovering of Javert. For later versions of the musical, the song was halved to its current length. Gavroche's gleeful uncovering of Javert is sung to an entirely different melody, already used in the Original French Version and is much shorter, before leading to the musical bit that was left in.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as La faute à Voltaire (Voltaire's Fault) and is accompanied by a background choir. The chorus was taken directly from the novel.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as C'est la faute à... (It Is the Fault of...).
A Little Fall of Rain
"A Little Fall of Rain" is the song of Éponine's death. Éponine, the eldest daughter of the Thénardiers, tells Marius that she loves him, and dies in his arms. Marius's reaction to her death in the musical is quite different from that in the book. In the book, Marius does not really care much about Éponine until she dies, although he is still polite to her, whereas in the musical, they are portrayed as best friends, and he and his fellow students mourn her death, "fighting in her name"; Marius being quite devastated and heartbroken by his best friend's death, crying while holding her in his arms, refusing to let go when his fellow students try to take her body away, and refusing the comfort of Enjolras. The title lyric is often misinterpreted; she thinks she is wet because of rain, but Marius sees its blood from her wound(s) that's "everywhere".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Ce n'est rien (It is Nothing).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Un peu de sang qui pleure (A Little Blood that Weeps).
Night of Anguish
"Night of Anguish" is a musical interlude scene. The exact definition of this song and the following are hazy. Sometimes, the few lines following Éponine's death are named "Night of Anguish", it is the scene directly after the first attack that includes the dialogue between Valjean and Javert, that receives this name. In the 2012 film, this song following Eponine's death is omitted and replaced with a non-vocal musical interlude.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as La nuit de l'angoisse (The Night of Anguish), which contains much of the same musical material, appears much earlier on the concept recording, and is about the revolutionaries' lamentation of their predicament. It also includes material that would later be used in "Drink with Me".
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The First Attack
"The First Attack" begins as a largely instrumental number with only some short lines of singing; there are also several lines shouted by revolutionaries during the attack. Depending on the definition of the song, it includes the scene in which Valjean sets Javert free. This scene, even though musically relatively uninteresting, is very important for the plot. It does feature in the 2012 film, but the eponymous first attack in it happens just before Eponine's death, with Valjean helping with snipers instead.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as L'aube du 6 juin (Dawn of June 6) on the recording, but was revised for the stage show into musical sections still present in the English version.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as La première attaque (The First Attack).
Drink with Me
"Drink with Me" is the revolutionaries' mellow song as night falls and they await their enemy's retaliation. In the 2012 film, the first half of the song is omitted, excluding the revolutionaries' reminiscence and Grantaire's doubts that his comrades are ready for failure, though the verse with the latter was recorded.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – One stanza of it can be found in the song La nuit de l'angoisse (The Night of Anguish).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Souviens-toi des jours passés (Remember the Past Days).
Bring Him Home
Valjean begs God to save and return Marius to Cosette, even if he must sacrifice his own life for Marius' safety. In a documentary on the Blu-ray of the film adaptation, Claude-Michel Schönberg revealed that the song was written specifically for Colm Wilkinson. Josh Groban also covered the song on his Stages album, and so did Barry Manilow on his album Showstoppers.[9]
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Comme un homme (Like a Man).
- 1999 Spanish Cathedral Version - This song is known as Sálvalo (Save him).
Dawn of Anguish
"Dawn of Anguish" is another minor interlude in which Enjolras and the revolutionaries realize that the people of Paris are not joining their revolution. Without the masses rising up to support them, they accept that the uprising's failure is inevitable and so Enjolras tells all the women and fathers of children to return to their homes, since they will only die if they remain at the barricades while he and the students remain to continue the fight.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
- 1999 Spanish Cathedral Version - This song never appeared and was never mentioned.
The Second Attack
"The Second Attack" or "Death of Gavroche" features Gavroche running into the enemy line of fire to retrieve ammunition for the revolutionaries, only to be killed during a reprise of his "Little People" solo.
James Fenton had written another song for Gavroche's death, called "Ten Little Bullets", using the melody of Gavroche's solo in "Look Down".[10] The song did not make it past recordings, probably not even there. Only the Broadway Revival version restarted using it in 2006.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as La mort de Gavroche (The Death of Gavroche).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The Final Battle
"The Final Battle" is a mostly instrumental number, often omitted from recordings. It repeats the first bar of the theme from "Do You Hear the People Sing?" with some variations and key changes, before erupting into a final reprise of the "Red and Black" theme, ending on a discordant chord instead of the major chord of that theme.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The Sewers / Dog Eats Dog
"The Sewers" is mostly a lengthy completely instrumental reprise of "Bring Him Home", though it also incorporates "Dog Eats Dog", a solo performed by Thénardier. In it, Thénardier describes his robbing the dead bodies from the battle at the barricades and justifies his actions by saying that somebody has to "clean them up...as a service to the town". He also declares that God is dead and that the only thing looking down from the heavens is the "harvest moon". It is one of the darkest songs of the musical.
The song was notably absent in the 2012 film adaptation, which instead contained a shorter chase-action sequence, scored primarily to "Look Down", in its place. The omission of the song allows Thénardier's character in the film to remain somewhat comical, though he is still shown in the sewers robbing dead bodies.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Fureurs cannibales (Cannibal Frenzy).
Javert's Suicide
"Javert's Suicide" is the second and last chief song performed solely by Javert. It is preceded by a repeat of the beginning of "The Confrontation" theme (which is sometimes cut from recordings or incorporated into "The Sewers"), in which Valjean asks Javert for one hour to bring Marius to a hospital, a request to which Javert, this time, agrees. After Valjean leaves, Javert contemplates the paradox of hunting the man who has spared him his life; he proceeds to jump to his death in the river. The song is instrumentally an exact reprise of Valjean's Soliloquy, though sung by Javert with changed lyrics. Part of an instrumental from Stars is heard at the end of song as he is falling.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Noir ou blanc (Black or White).
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Le suicide de Javert (Javert's Suicide).
Turning
In "Turning", the women of Paris mourn the loss of the students and their own hopeless cycles of childbirth and misery. It is set to the melody of "Lovely Ladies". It is also the only song in the musical not sung by a major character.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Tourne, tourne (Turn, Turn).
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" is a solo sung by the character Marius, who is mourning the death of all of his friends who were killed at the barricade. Part of it is to the tune of "The Bishop of Digne".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Seul devant ces tables vides (Alone in Front of These Empty Tables).
Every Day
"Every Day" or "Marius and Cosette" is a two-part song sung by Cosette, Marius and Valjean. The second part is often known as "A Heart Full of Love (Reprise)". The 2012 film only used the second part.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, but identical music sections were present in a former exchange between Marius and the Gillenormands in the stage show.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
Valjean's Confession
"Valjean's Confession" is sung by Valjean and Marius. Though important for the plot, the music is more important as an introduction to "Who Am I?".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as L'aveu de Jean Valjean (Jean Valjean's Confession) and was much longer. It explains Valjean's motives more clearly. When Marius asks why Valjean confesses to him, Valjean explains that his conscience will not let him rest until he has done so. Valjean asks Marius if it would be better if he (Valjean) did not see Cosette again and Marius says that he thinks so. This fits much better with the description in the book.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song was cut from the recording.
The Wedding
"The Wedding" is a very brief song, also known as the "Wedding Chorale", and is sung by the guests on Cosette and Marius's wedding. The second part is a dialogue-heavy song that is often abridged or cut, sung by Marius and the Thénardiers. This part is sometimes called "The Waltz of Treachery (Reprise)" as it is sung to a similar melody.
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – The first part of this song is known as Le mariage: soyez heureux (The Marriage: Be Happy). It was longer than all other versions, featuring an additional refrain. The second part is known as Marchandage et révélation (Bargaining and Revelation), where it is more than only slightly longer. It included another subplot from the book. Here, Thénardier first tries to shock Marius with the revelation that Valjean is an ex-convict, which Marius already knows. When Thénardier says that Valjean is also a murderer, Marius claims to know that as well. He believes Valjean to have killed both Javert (on the barricade) and a certain M. Madeleine, a rich factory owner. Thénardier proves to him (with the help of newspaper clippings), that Javert committed suicide and that Madeleine and Valjean are the same person – Marius's false source of information is unknown – and then tells him about the sewers.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Sonnez, sonnez (Ring, Ring).
Beggars at the Feast
"Beggars at the Feast" is the second big musical number sung by the Thénardiers, in which they proclaim how through their treacherous ways they always manage to come out on top before waving the audience goodbye with the mocking line "When we're rich as Croesus, Jesus, won't we see you all in hell". It is a reprise of the "Master of the House" theme.
- French versions'
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Mendiants à la fête (Beggars at the Party).
Epilogue
Valjean's Death
"Valjean's Death" is the penultimate (or last, depending on the song organization) musical number in Les Misérables. This and the "Finale", into which it flows without pause, are sometimes counted as one song. The combination is often known as "The Epilogue" (as the musical also has a Prologue). Fantine and Éponine come to welcome him into salvation. "Valjean's Death" borrows the tune from "Fantine's Death" and "On My Own", and towards the end, "Bring Him Home". In the 2012 film, it comes straight after “Beggars at the Feast”
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song is known as Épilogue: la lumière (Epilogue: The Light). Fantine and Eponine do not appear, as the song ends alternatively with Valjean imploring Cosette and Marius to love and cherish each other, before he peacefully passes away.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Final: c'est pour demain (Finale: It is For Tomorrow).
Finale
"The Finale", also known as "Do You Hear the People Sing? (Reprise)", is the last song in the musical; it is often incorporated with "Valjean's Death" into a single track on recordings, simply entitled "Epilogue".
- French versions
- 1980 Original French Version – This song did not appear, instead ending with Valjean's Death.
- 1991 Parisian Revival Version – This song is known as Final: c'est pour demain (Finale: It is For Tomorrow).
Song appearances in recordings
- Key
– All or almost all of song included
– Part of song included
– Song excluded
| Song | Original London Recording | Original Broadway Recording | 10th Anniversary Recording | Complete Symphonic Recording | Original French Concept Album | Paris Revival Recording | School Edition[a] | Motion picture (2012)[d] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overture / Work Song |  |
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| On Parole | |
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| Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven | |
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| Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?) | |
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| At the End of the Day | |
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| I Dreamed a Dream | |
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| Lovely Ladies | |
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| Fantine's Arrest | |
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| The Runaway Cart | |
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| Who Am I? | |
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| Come to Me (Fantine's Death) | |
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| The Confrontation | |
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| Castle on a Cloud | |
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| Master of the House | |
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| Suddenly | |
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| The Bargain | |
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| The Waltz of Treachery | |
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| Look Down | |
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| The Robbery | |
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| Javert's Intervention | |
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| Little People (original) | |
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| Stars | |
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| Éponine's Errand | |
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| The ABC Café / Red and Black | |
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| Do You Hear the People Sing? | |
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| I Saw Him Once | |
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| In My Life | |
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| A Heart Full of Love | |
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| The Attack on Rue Plumet | |
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| One Day More | |
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| At the Barricade (Upon These Stones) | |
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| On My Own | |
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| Building the Barricade | |
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| Javert's Arrival | |
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| Little People | |
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| A Little Fall of Rain | |
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| Night of Anguish | |
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| The First Attack | |
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| Drink with Me | |
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| Bring Him Home | |
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| Dawn of Anguish | |
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| The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche) | |
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[b] |
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| The Final Battle | |
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| The Sewers | |
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| Dog Eats Dog | |
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| Javert's Suicide | |
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| Turning | |
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| Empty Chairs at Empty Tables | |
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| Every Day | |
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| Valjean's Confession | |
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| Suddenly (Reprise) | |
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| The Wedding Chorale | |
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[c] |
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| Beggars at the Feast | |
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| Valjean's Death | |
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| Finale | |
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- Notes
- a While the cuts in the Student Edition appear significant, most are small edits that don't remove more than a verse or a few measures.
- b While "The Death of Gavroche" is included in the student production, it was cut from the 25th Anniversary.
- c While "The Wedding Chorale" was cut in the Student Edition, it appeared in the 25th Anniversary Concert.
- d Only some of the songs listed below were included on the motion picture's soundtrack album. See the track listing at Les Misérables: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack. More tracks are present in the deluxe version of the album.
See also
References
External links
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