Lyla Lindsey
Do You Hear the People Sing? is a popular song from the musical Les Misérables, composed by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Jean-Marc Natel, with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The song has become an anthem for protesters worldwide, including in Australia, where it was heard during a 2013 protest against the opening of a McDonald's restaurant. Beyond its presence in Les Misérables, Do You Hear the People Sing? has also been featured in a concert tour celebrating the work of Boublil and Schönberg, including their musicals Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, and The Pirate Queen. This concert, authorised by the duo, premiered in Shanghai in 2013 and made its way to Australia in 2020, starring renowned musical theatre performers such as Alfie Boe and Lea Salonga.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Song and Concert Tour |
| Origin | From the musical Les Misérables |
| Creators | Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Jean-Marc Natel, and Herbert Kretzmer |
| Premiere | Shanghai Grand Theatre in December 2013 |
| Australian Tour | June 2020 |
| Venues | Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Sydney's State Theatre, Melbourne's Regent Theatre, Hamer Hall, Sydney Opera House |
| Performers | Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Lea Salonga, John Owen-Jones, Rachel Tucker, David Harris, Sooha Kim, Marie Zamora, Bobby Fox, Suzie Mathers, Joanna Ampil, Amanda Harrison |
| Related Works | Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, The Pirate Queen, La Révolution Française |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Do You Hear the People Sing' is a concert celebrating the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
- The song is from the musical Les Misérables and is sung twice—in Act I and the finale
- The song has been used in protests around the world, including in Australia
- The concert tour in Australia featured songs from Les Misérables and Miss Saigon
- The Australian premiere of the concert was headlined by musical theatre star Michael Ball
'Do You Hear the People Sing?' is a concert celebrating the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" is a concert celebrating the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the creators of beloved musicals such as "Les Misérables" and "Miss Saigon". The concert is the only one officially authorised by the duo and was developed in collaboration with Australian producer Enda Markey.
The concert premiered at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in December 2013, with subsequent performances in Taipei and Manila. The Manila performance in 2014 was a benefit concert that raised over AUD $750,000 for Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts. In 2022, the concert was staged at Hamer Hall in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House, featuring an international cast of renowned performers.
The concert features a selection of well-known songs from the musicals created by Boublil and Schönberg, including "Les Misérables", "Miss Saigon", "Martin Guerre", "The Pirate Queen", and their first musical together, "La Révolution Française". The set list includes iconic songs such as "I Dreamed a Dream", "Bring Him Home", "One Day More", and of course, "Do You Hear the People Sing?".
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" is more than just a concert; it is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Boublil and Schönberg's collaboration. Their musicals have had a profound impact on the world of theatre, with "Les Misérables" becoming one of the most recognised and celebrated musicals of all time. The concert showcases not only the beloved songs but also takes the audience on a journey of discovery, revealing the creative process behind the songwriting.
The Australian concerts featured a stellar cast, including Alfie Boe, a chart-topping English tenor who has sold over a million albums worldwide. He was joined by Broadway veteran Lea Salonga, West End star Joanna Ampil, and Australian talents David Harris, Amanda Harrison, and Suzie Mathers, among others. Together, they brought to life the timeless songs of Boublil and Schönberg, creating an unforgettable musical experience for audiences.
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The song is from the musical Les Misérables and is sung twice—in Act I and the finale
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" is a song from the musical Les Misérables, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The song is based on the original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, and Schönberg. It is one of the principal and most recognisable songs from the musical, which premiered in 1980.
The song is performed twice in the musical—in Act I and the finale. In the first rendition, Enjolras and other students at the ABC Cafe sing it as they prepare for a rebellion during a funeral procession in Paris. This version sets the stage for the upcoming rebellion and is a powerful moment in the musical.
In the finale, the entire cast joins in, singing with revised lyrics. This second version becomes progressively louder and more thunderous with each stanza, providing a stirring conclusion to the musical. The reprise of the song in the finale reinforces the themes of revolution and unity, making it a memorable ending to the show.
The song has also been featured in concerts celebrating the work of Boublil and Schönberg, the creators of Les Misérables. These concerts, titled "Do You Hear the People Sing?" have been authorised by the duo and staged in various countries, including Australia. The Australian concerts featured stars from Broadway, the West End, and local talent, showcasing songs from Les Misérables and other musicals by Boublil and Schönberg.
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The song has been used in protests around the world, including in Australia
"Do You Hear the People Sing?", from the musical Les Misérables, has become a popular protest anthem worldwide. The song's lyrics, which revolve around the idea of standing up against tyranny and oppression, have resonated with people from different countries and backgrounds.
In Australia, the song was heard during an anti-CCP protest in Sydney in 2022. Over 100 Chinese students organized the demonstration to mourn the victims of the Urumqi fire and to speak out against the Chinese Communist Party's "Zero-COVID" policy. The protesters sang "Do You Hear the People Sing?" as a way to express their anger and grief, showing that the song's message had struck a chord with them.
In Hong Kong, the song has also been adopted as a protest anthem. During the 2014 Umbrella pro-democracy protests and the 2019 extradition bill protests, demonstrators sang "Do You Hear the People Sing?" as they fought for their rights and freedoms. The song's message of resistance and unity seemed to embody the spirit of the Hong Kong protests, and it continues to be associated with the city's pro-democracy movement.
In the United States, the song has made appearances at various rallies and demonstrations. In 2011, activists in Wisconsin sang the song during their protests against a bill that threatened public sector unions. The song's mention of the "right to be free" seemed to echo the sentiments of the protesters as they advocated for their collective bargaining rights. Additionally, the song was also adopted by the Hear the People Sing 50501 project, which encouraged people across the country to sing or listen to the song simultaneously on March 4th as a form of protest.
The song's universal appeal lies in its ability to capture the essence of popular movements and protests. It symbolizes the heart of all protests—the belief that silenced voices deserve to be heard. The song's powerful message of unity and resistance has made it an enduring anthem for people around the world who are fighting for change and a better future.
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The concert tour in Australia featured songs from Les Misérables and Miss Saigon
The concert tour "Do You Hear the People Sing?" celebrated the work of musical theatre writers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the duo behind the popular musicals Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. The concert was the only production authorised by the writers, who considered it a definitive showcase of their work. The concert tour featured an international cast of musical theatre stars, including Michael Ball, John Owen-Jones, Rachel Tucker, and Bobby Fox. The Australian concerts also featured local stars such as David Harris and Suzie Mathers.
The concert tour celebrated the 40-year collaboration between Boublil and Schönberg, showcasing a wide selection of well-known songs from their musicals, as well as the journey of how some of the songs were written and reinvented. The setlist included songs from Les Misérables, such as "I Dreamed a Dream", "Bring Him Home", "One Day More", and, of course, "Do You Hear the People Sing?". The tour also featured songs from Miss Saigon, with the musical's original West End and Broadway star, Lea Salonga, joining the cast. Other Miss Saigon stars included Joanna Ampil, Amanda Harrison, and Suzie Mathers.
The concert was first staged in Shanghai in 2013, with subsequent performances in Taipei and Manila. The Australian leg of the tour was initially scheduled for June 2020, with performances at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Sydney's State Theatre, and Melbourne's Regent Theatre. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian tour was postponed until 2022, when it was staged at Hamer Hall in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House.
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" received widespread acclaim and was met with excitement from musical theatre fans. English tenor Alfie Boe, who headlined the Australian concerts, expressed his enthusiasm for the tour, stating that it was an honour to sing a collection of songs from his favourite musicals. The concert tour not only delighted audiences but also served as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Boublil and Schönberg's work in musical theatre.
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The Australian premiere of the concert was headlined by musical theatre star Michael Ball
The Australian premiere of the concert "Do You Hear the People Sing?" was a highly anticipated event, celebrating the iconic musicals of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. The concert, which played at Hamer Hall and the Sydney Opera House, marked the first time in 25 years that the duo travelled to Australia together. The concert was headlined by none other than the renowned musical theatre star, Michael Ball.
Michael Ball, a British OBE, is considered one of the leading musical theatre stars in the UK. He is known for his versatile roles and impressive credits. Notably, he played Marius in the original London production of "Les Misérables" and reprised this role for the 10th-anniversary concert. More recently, he took on the role of Javert in the acclaimed staged concert in the West End.
Ball's involvement in the Australian premiere of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" added to the prestige of the event. The concert itself was the only one ever authorised by Boublil and Schönberg and served as the definitive showcase of their work. It featured a 24-piece orchestra, a 12-person choir, and an ensemble of renowned international stars.
The concert celebrated the extraordinary collaboration between Boublil and Schönberg, the writers of beloved musicals such as "Les Misérables" and "Miss Saigon". It traced the history of their 50-year partnership and showcased a wide selection of their well-known songs. The Australian premiere, in particular, was a special version created specifically for Australian audiences, offering a journey into the creative process behind the songs.
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Frequently asked questions
"Do You Hear the People Sing" is a song from the musical Les Misérables, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel, and Herbert Kretzmer. It is one of the most recognisable songs from the musical and is sung twice—once in Act I and once in the finale.
The music for "Do You Hear the People Sing" was composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, and Jean-Marc Natel (original French lyrics), and Herbert Kretzmer (English lyrics).
"Do You Hear the People Sing" has been performed in various countries and languages. The song was first performed in French in the musical Les Misérables. It has since been performed in English, German, Japanese, Hungarian, Swedish, Polish, Dutch, Norwegian, Czech, Danish, and Icelandic. The song has also been adapted into Cantonese and Taiwanese Hokkien. In terms of performance locations, it has been staged in Shanghai, Taipei, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and more.
The Australian cast of "Do You Hear the People Sing" has included Michael Ball, John Owen-Jones, Rachel Tucker, David Harris, Sooha Kim, Marie Zamora, Bobby Fox, Suzie Mathers, Alfie Boe, Lea Salonga, Joanna Ampil, Amanda Harrison, and more.
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