[GlamorousGriz]

Opinions on this are always varied, so maybe this will help clear it up for me: which role do you think is harder, and why?

[flying_pigs]

They are both quite tough, Chrisitne does more singing and acting yet Carlotta has to reach notes i never new exsited!

[RainyCrystal]

Christine - it's a big role, and not only does it demand good singing, but the acting is demanding, too.

~Sissi

[what_the_heck013]

Yes, Christine is very demanding compared to Carlotta.

[musicalfan]

[theonetowatch]

i think carlotta...its less to memorize and everything but i could see myself playing christine pretty well and i would never dream of attempting carlotta.

[Fantine]

I think they are both equal.

Christine is more the average girl (acting-wise) while Carlotta has to act kind of overdone because of her being a diva and such. Altough Christine has the larger role, I think Carlotta is hard to act. Plus, her singing is just incredible

[Mademoiselle Lanoire]

I voted Carlotta, but it could be both.

It really depends on whether you're thinking in terms of vocal ability or acting skills.

[darthlorexa]

My personal opinion is that Carlotta would be more demanding than Christine even though Christine would also be quite challenging. Out of the two I know that there is no way in hell that I would even be able to attempt Carlotta's notes.

[Bway_Shi]

They are both extremely demanding, however Christine has a much larger range than Carlotta, so I believe that it would be harder to play Christine.

[le_moofin]

Hands-down Christine. She has to be able to hit that high 'E' while sounding "pretty". Carlotta can screech, scream, or even croak her way up the scale. Remember: she's not supposed to sound beautiful. That makes her part ultimately easier, because it's very hard to sing high and sound somewhat nice.

[GlamorousGriz]

Croak her way up the scale? ROFL! That totally made my day! I can just picture someone croaking up a scale... LOL

[Amabella]

I really, really like Christine. But then again, I must agree with le_moofin. Carlotta can hit some crazy notes. So I must give Carlotta her props for that.

[DaddyDiesel]

Vocally; Carlotta is more difficult. The notes shes hits and having to have a timbre like a veteran soprano diva makes the part very demanding.

CHristine is also demanding but she doesnt have to be as powerful as Carlotta. She needs to be more legit than Carlotta. She does sing more but the overall fact that Christine is a a young rising star gives her the chance to not sound as seasoned as carlotta.

Acting wise. Definetly Christine. She has to go through many differant emotions compared to Carlotta's super diva bitch.

[NoOneMournsTheWicked]

According to some of the costume people at POTO (I have connections) a lot of the actresses playing Christine get emotionally worn out really quickly when they start the show.

Vocally, Carlotta is more complicated, but overall, I'd say Christine.

[thebeautyisClara]

[musicalsrokmysox]

no doubt christine is more challenging acting wise and she has more songs, but doing your best could be enough for her...to do carlota you need a major soprano voice, i personally don't know anyone who can reach the notes she does

[Orestes Fasting]

Actually, I think Carlotta's highest note is a top D, compared with Christine's E at the end of PotO. Christine has to sing higher. She only has to hit hers once though--Carlotta has at least two or three brief D's in Prima Donna and Il Muto, a handful of sustained C sharps in Hannibal, etc.

So, yeah. Aside from the end of PotO, Christine could practically be sung by a mezzo. Carlotta, not a chance in hell. Carlotta also needs really solid operatic technique, whereas Christine can get away with musical theater style.

I think it's difficult to compare the two, really. Christine needs more vocal endurance and more acting ability, but Carlotta's part is so consistently difficult. That, and Christines have alternates! I couldn't imagine singing Carlotta's part ten times a week.

[Phantomess]

Well each role has its challenges and I wouldn't say that there is any 'easy' role in Phantom. But Carlotta is hands down more difficult vocally than Christine. The role is consistently of a much higher tessitura and demands good coloratura.

[Phantomess]

[Phantomess]

[Reds]

I am currently playing Christine and it is a very challenging role vocally, but I also know each night I hear the notes that Jennifer sings(the women who plays Carlotta) and I know I couldn't do it.

[Brackynn]

I think that several Carlottas have also sung high Fs ... during the cadenza bit in Hannibal ('This trophy from our saviours ...'). Not sure, but I've heard it depends on the actress.

Although both parts are, as many have said, insanely difficult, I think that Christine would be more difficult and draining. She has the most stage time -- in fact, she hardly seems to go off -- and while her tessitura is far lower than Carlotta's (mostly actually around the mezzo range, I'd say), her songs are still difficult in themselves. And this has to be sustained throughout the entire show. Also, there's the acting side. Christine is a far more complex and conflicted character who has to show many different emotions well.

As for Carlotta, I'm not denying her part is hard. Anyone who sings her part eight times or more a week, weeks on end in a professional show and does it well gets serious kudos. However, at least she gets to sing in relatively short bursts. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. Both parts require excellent actresses/singers and both are very difficult.

[broadwaybelle22]

Both parts are difficult, but Christine and Carlotta both have to hit the same high note(E), so they're pretty much equal there. Also, Christine has to have ballet training and has a lot of acting. So I think Christine's part is by far more challenging.

[What Is This Feeling?]

Umm I would definately have to say Christine! I think that that she is much more of a demanding role than Carlotta. The only scenes she's not in are: Notes/ Prima Donna, and a confrontation between Raoul and M. Giry. Carlotta is only in like half the show. Infact, Christine is so demanding, ALW made a rule, that no Christine was to perform more than 6 times a week.

[Orestes Fasting]