“Phantom Of The Opera” has been performed countless times, but you’ve never experienced it quite like the rock ‘n’ roll version delivered by Nightwish’s Floor Jansen. This rockstar soprano took on the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic alongside Dutch musical star Henk Poort on the Dutch TV show Beste Zangers. Their performance showcased stunning vocal prowess and an intense chemistry that made it unforgettable.
The Beste Zangers band gave the song a dramatic power metal twist, elevating its energy to new heights. Jansen and Poort poured their hearts into the performance, their vocal and acting talents making it feel like the ultimate rock musical. Jansen’s ethereal soprano paired with Poort’s powerful baritone created a perfect balance, making the song seem tailor-made for them.
The duet amassed 24 million views, ranking as the second most popular performance in Beste Zangers history. Fans were enthralled, leaving comments like, “The voices, the music, the chemistry, and the audience reaction make this the best performance on this show ever,” and “The expressions between the two sold me on the storytelling completely.”
Jansen and Poort have graced the show with several performances, many achieving multi-million view counts. Another hit was Jansen’s rendition of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow,” which highlighted her versatility and range.
The viral success of their “Phantom Of The Opera” duet inspired Nightwish to reintroduce the song into their live set after 17 years. On November 27, 2022, at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, the Finnish symphonic metal band performed the song with Poort, capturing the moment for a DVD release. This performance was the penultimate song of the night, thrilling the audience.