They really weren't kidding when they called this the dream cast.

This might just be the most underrated song in the entire musical.

Her voice is full of sorrow. The one and only Fantine. No one comes close.

When her face goes dark and lights up again at “but I will sing you lullabies and wake you in the morning” but gives me chills each time.

that last note was hauntingly beautiful.

When listening only to the audio I thought Ruthie was stepping away from the mic on the last note. Watching the video now I realized she controlled the fading note solely with her vocal. Wow. Damn. She is by far and away the best Fantine ever. Dust kicks up whenever I hear her voice in Les Mis.

I think that her performance in the 10th anniversary concert was the best performance Ruthie Henshall ever gave. Her voice was never better. This was by far the best performance of Fantine I have ever heard by anyone. Brilliant!

Before the video begins Me, never cries. Fantine "Tell Cosette I love her, and that I'll see her when I wake." Me, uGLY SOBBING INTENSIFIES.

That's not the Winter Wind crying, it's me...

This song moves me every time I hear it. As a parent (father), my heart breaks that Fantine’s last thought was a longing for her daughter to be with her. The love and sacrifice that a mother is willing to make for her child, which lead to the guilt and burden that Jean Valjean will carry and make amends for the rest of his life, all in this one song.

“Good monsieur, you come from God in heaven” this line has me weak every time

When I was pregnant with my daughter, a difficult pregnancy that ended tragically I used to sing this just before going to sleep. She would calm down. Till this day, as that was almost 17 years a go, singing that song makes me cry.

Ruthie Henshall's last note...just wow...the control and emotion...got me choked up for reals....she so awesome

i love that part with Jean Valjean saying 'I will keep you warm" such so much compassion and sadness as he knew WHY Fantine was feeling cold

Fantine is the ultimate mother figure. She is the symbol of love, nurture and sacrifice for the sake of her child, the epitome of motherly love.

It is exceedingly difficult to maintain strength while fading, and Henshall does so excellently at the very end. An excellent rendition.

There's no one in the world that can better Ruthies' performance :)

I love the way she sang "how fast the minute" I love the way her voice faded in the last line. Her voice is enchanting and sorrowful.. Best Fantine!

I truly am in love with Ruthie Henshall's performance here as Fantine. Her voice is incomparable to any other. I can listen to her all day. :) Lea's performance in the broadway was just touching. She has a strong voice even when she was crying. As for Anne Hathaway's performance, I have to give her credit for being able to sing while she's crying in despair too. She moved me to tears. It's truly tough to act that way for a film. I think she does deserve that Golden Globe award. :)

That "for God's sake..." near the end sounds so desperate... Great job Ruthie Henshall...just wow

Her voice control is incredible

Quite possibly the most beautiful, haunting, and tear-jerking number of any musical ever.

This is the perfect example of artistry in the voice, the way Ruthie fades her voice in and out with as her character's strength wanes in and out, man that's why we cry. You can hear her death at the end. That is what so much of our movies are missing today, just emotion and imagry in a voice. Amazing!

Every version of this song I’ve heard is beautiful, but this is the only rendition that genuinely brings me to tears.

her diminuendo from 3:20 to 3:27 is incredible. it takes skill to keep up the support and strength in your voice while singing quietly. chills.

God damnit Ruthie. You've broken my heart again.

ruthie and colm and all the cast were just breathtaking xxxxxxxxx

This was the best possible cast. Way better than any other anniversary casting or movie or production I’ve seen.

Aw! I love both Fantines, Ruth and Anne, but I wish they had kept the entire song in the movie. So beautiful.

I'm going to be honest, this song is really comforting. If you forget that Fantine is dying, this would work as one of the best lullabies. Just, her soothing voice and emotion filled tone, and her sweet and comforting words, are honestly to much to handle. She is just so amazing, I give her mad props for this amazing performance. (Also Fantine was amazing as hell hhhhh-)

This always makes me want to cry, and when she sings I Dreamed a Dream. She really shows the emotion and makes you feel it.Other people just sing it, that's it, they don't show the emotion or make you feel it.

It doesn't matter how many times I watch this performance: every single f*****g time I cry like a child...

I am a solanga fan but definitely love Ruthie. They both bring such a realness to the part that brings tears to my eyes. And I will not start on colm...that man. My God.

This would bring tears to a glass eye

Ruthy Henshall was nothing short of extraordinary in this role. You can wrap yourself with her warm rich voice, while being ensured that it tells a story that conveys everything you ever wanted to know about the character she is playing.

I love the 25th anniversary concert, but Ruthie is definitely the best Fantine

"...and I'll see her when I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa----aaa-k-e." Just sublime! No auto-tune required.

I haven't seen any of Les Mis but I'm literally sobbing listening to this

This song makes me cry more than diving into a pool of chopped onions!

The part that gets me is the last note, the way her voice sounds like it's dying, growing suddenly weaker and colder and come to an end. It really sounds like it's her last breath... Amazing.

This song always brings me to tears. To dream of a whole life with her daughter but to know that it's not going to happen.

I can't heard it without crying! 💔💔

I love Ruthie and how she is able to portray Fantine with strength and vulnerability at the same time.

This song changed the way I looked at music. Heard it in 96’ during hardcore grunge music era. I didn’t know as a kid that music could be this incredible.

I don't know this show very weel, I'm french, 28 years old and live in France. I've heard this perfom was the best, and my friends shown me. I'm surpirsed, because it's not good, it's fantastic zand this girl has a very great voice ! Thank U for this video !

3:06 "For God's sake" brought me to tears. Wow!

She certainly deserved the standing ovation which I'm sure she got for this. It's July 2024 and my wife and I are going to see Les Mis in London in September to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary - can't believe 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of Les Mis!!

Favorite Fantine and 2nd or 3rd favorite Valjean. This really was the "Dream Cast". Unlike the movie...

This fucking song :'( it makes me cry

She captured Fantine so well... I couldn’t stop crying all through the scene

Her whole performance is just jaw dropping especially the last part. It’s out of this world, like is she even human? 🫶🏼🙌🏼

One of the most moving song I have ever heard, but not enough time is given to the most moving performance you ever likely to hear

Getting my Ruthie fix...her voice is just beautiful to me...

"You come from God in Heaven"... slays me everytime.

Ruthie does such an excellent Fantine. Her voice has never sounded better. Bravo!

Forever the best Fantine ❤️❤️

I don't care what anybody says... Ruthie is by far the best Fantine!

This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs that I have ever heard. It touches your soul. Brilliant.

she is lovely and terrific

No way I'm crying..no..no...yes, im crying..can't help it :'(

Nobody has been able to do "And tell Cosette I love her and I'll see her when I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake" better than Ruthie. I've seen the show multiple times, and not even Lea Salonga (whom I adored as Eponine) can hold a candle to her.

Every. Single. Time. 😢😭 One of the most emotive songs ever written.

How she sings "hurry" really touches me. She is amazing!

Never truly got this song. Grown up a bit, seen something, cried and then not, now the song hurts so badly.

i love love her version of this song...and i love this song so much..she asks him to take care of her daughter....and Valjean responds he will take her child......i was moved from the first time i saw this and still, every time, i cry

I am forever a fan of lea salonga but this version of ruthie just moves me to tears every time i hear it... :'(

Anne Hathaway, I love you, but THIS is how you deliver this song.

If there was ever a video that deserved a million views, this is it. It's one thing to hit a whistle tone like that, but it's even more impressive how smoothly Ruthie transitions into it.

I had chills the entire song! What a beautiful melody and a gorgeous voice

it all speaks of the love of god and the gift of words and music ! the way the world should be ! beutiful songs !!

How does one sing this with so much despair and optimism all at once? Bravo. Truly, that was beautiful.

How beautiful... Utter perfection.

Amazing. I pray the younger generation will give this a try. FOLLOW THE STORY!! We are here to love and support our fellow human being.

Ruthie ...just cant be bettered..thanks..

yes the best cast,without a doubt,fab

how come 17 dislike this?? its the best voice my ears have heard in my whole life. I keep listening to it over and over and never get bored. Ruthie is amazing. Greetings from Egypt

We are in tears because she brought the mother's to us!!!

THIS PERFORMANCE WILL LAST A LONG LONG TIME AS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS EVER WHAT A PERFORMANCE BY THE STARS AND THE MUSICIANS WISH I WAS THERE 10 ANNIVERSARY

i cry every time i listen to this beautiful song. it's just so beautiful.

Ruthie's voice is beautiful, the way she sings it it just goes straight through your heart.

What a voice. I love hearing her sing

i really like this singer RUTHIE HENSHALL 100% i really really i like her!!!

This was an amazing interpretation from Ruthie she has such a beautiful voice and when she sang the last word awake and went soft at the end omg I felt so emotional. Absolutely beautiful. Les Mis is a rare show which has so many beautiful songs which touch you so deeply.

He takes my breath away. My heart melts.

I will cry every damn time I watch this!

Heavenly voice

My favorite piece from the production.

Absolutely the best Fantine ever.

Oh God the way she sings "Tell Cosette I love her " wrings your heart!😣💔

3:20 Hell of an overtone when she softens up that last note. I thought I was going crazy when I first listened to this.

Everytime.......(look mosure, where all the children play)... Gets me every time)😢

Ruthie Henshall played this part perfectly. This song makes me cry every time I hear her sing it.

Oh my god I forgot about this song. I'm crying. The bittersweet melody of I Dreamed a Dream reprised in this, as Fantine is dying - whatever little hope or joy left in her life is now lost. Cosette is the unexpected, fragile realization of a dream... Her desperate, last, precious dream is found in Cosette's play and childhood joy, and in the fragile hope for a brighter future for Cosette than Fantine had for herself. She says previously that life killed her dream and she's in hell, and now again her dream is being killed in her inability to see through or ensure Cosette's future. Fantine has lost _her own_ future and dream yet again. Some small comfort and hope that Valjean will care for Cosette. A dying desperate hope for her daughter to live a life free from the immense burden and shame that fate or chance had in store for Fantine. Some desperate pleas as she feverishly goes in and out of acknowledging her reality - to not be alone in the end. OOF.

Holy shit, that diminuendo at 3:20 . . do you people realise how HARD that is, and what outstanding control and breath support that requires? Amazing

If I was told I could only choose and listen to one note for the rest of my life. It would be on "Wake". The way Ruthie transfers to head voice is sublime and surreal. I keep listening to that one note on repeat between the tears.

I know. It sort of makes me hesitant to see the show again, because I know it will never live up to this. I saw it before I saw this, and this topped it by far.

She loved her daughter so much, and it's so sad we didn't even get to see them interact at all.

This concert is the best! It puts the actual first show in a lesser level.

The song is really sad but it comes back again when Val Jean dies where it becomes kind of both sad and happy. The saddest part of this section of the musical is actually the sudden change from this song to the confrontation. It is really striking the mercilessness of the world that leaves no time to rest for people.

Of all the songs. This one never ceases to make me choke up