Andrew Lloyd Webber remixes original Phantom album for 40th anniversary

18-09-26

Andrew Lloyd Webber has returned to the original 1986 master tapes of The Phantom of the Opera to create a newly remixed and expanded edition of the landmark cast recording. The Phantom of the Opera (The Andrew Lloyd Webber 2026 Mix) will be released as the West End musical celebrates its 40th anniversary, restoring sections of the score that have never previously appeared on the album.

The first track from the release, Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford’s iconic recording of The Phantom of the Opera, was released today, ahead of the full digital album on 9 October.  That date marks exactly 40 years since The Phantom of the Opera opened in London, with an anniversary gala taking place at His Majesty’s Theatre, where the production continues to play today.

The newly mixed recording has been created from the original analogue master tapes recorded at Abbey Road Studios in September and October 1986. Eight of the eleven original two-inch tape reels have survived intact and have been newly mixed without enhancement, preserving the performances as they were originally recorded. Material from three missing reels has been restored using an unplayed vinyl pressing of the original album.

The recording features the original West End company led by Michael Crawford as The Phantom, Sarah Brightman as Christine and the late Steve Barton as Raoul, with Mike Reed conducting. Lloyd Webber said returning to the recordings brought back memories of the original production and praised Hal Prince’s casting. He described Crawford’s performance as “a masterclass in musical theatre acting through song” and remembered the “trueness and clarity” of Brightman’s voice, while also highlighting Barton’s performance as Raoul and the playing of the original orchestra.

For the first time, the album will also restore parts of the score originally cut because of the running-time limitations of vinyl.

Three previously unheard archive recordings will be included: an early cassette demo of the title song, Box Five, an original version of the Opera Managers’ scene that was later reworked into Prima Donna, and an early demo of Masquerade featuring Richard Stilgoe’s original lyrics. The expanded album includes favourites including The Music of the Night, Think of Me and All I Ask of You. Physical editions follow the digital release, with a three-LP vinyl set and two-CD edition arriving on 6 November.

A limited six-LP anniversary box set, A Collector’s Piece Indeed, follows on 20 November. It combines the new mix with The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Masquerade: The Orchestral Score, alongside archive reproductions, a numbered Robert Heindel print and a replica poster from the original Broadway production. The 1986 Original London Cast Recording has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and became the first musical cast recording to debut at number one on the UK albums chart.

Visit the official site to get your copies HERE