Artist: Rose Laurens
Author: Alain Boublil/Jean-Marc Natel/Claude-Michel Schönberg
Label: Relativity
Year: 1980
As Fantine at the world première of musical Les Misérables in Paris (Palais des Sports). Not exactly a hit, at least not compared to the English version, first staged in London five years later. In 2006 Les Misérables became the longest running West End production ever, and counting.
Covers:
Patti LuPone [the original West End Fantine as I Dreamed A Dream (lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer); a hit UK following the Susan Boyle hype]
Randy Graff [idem in Broadway cast]
Neil Diamond [idem]
David Essex [idem]
Debbie Byrne [in the symphonic cast]
Louise Pitre [in the second French production at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris]
Aretha Franklin [also sang it in '93 at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton]
Elaine Paige [Susan Boyle's example]
Michael Ball [the Marius from the original West End cast on his album I Dreamed A Dream]
Allison Crowe [all as I Dreamed A Dream]
Susan Boyle [idem in Britain's Got Talent; download hit YouTube and title track debut album, n°1 UK & US]
Anne Hathaway [idem in film Les Misérables; BAFTA & Oscar awarded]
The French original version was first part of a concept album, only later turned into a theatre production.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)