I'm digging into specific versions BUT my point for my preference remains over-all.

I'm a die-hard E/C shipper but I think of course she made the right choice in the stable and healthy life terms. But that's not the point, for me anyway.

The point is:

I can't imagine any interesting story being drawn from the Christine/Raoul marriage/dynamic. Raoul just is too much your typical Prince Charming with no edges to his lack of personality whatsoever. I personally don't see anything interesting in a Prince Brave Charming guiding, hiding and guarding a comfort-seeking damsell in distress or not-in-distress. I can't even imagine them having any typical relationship drama because Raoul is just so perfect dreamboat for someone like Christine as in for someone so fucking passsive who doesn't want any challenge out of her life. Isn't that pretty much the summary of their dueto "All I Ask Of You"??

Now that was my view on the stage Christine & Raoul, wherein Christine really didn't seem to love the Phantom on any essential level if at all.

However, should we take a look into the 2004 film Raoul and Christine's marriage, it might get at least a little interesting because Christine I think had a liiittle bit more depth and strength to her personaliry than the stage Christine, and she obviously loved the Phantom too. Apparently enough for her heart to always yearn back to the Phantom throughout her life with Raoul. THAT love triangle version had a potential to colour otherwise boringly perfect marriage.

But if she stayed with the unstable, psychotic, edgy, mysterious, multi-talented, deep and more or less romantic Phantom... who regardless of his insanity was evidently able to ultimately show his TRUE love for Christine by sacrificing his own heart and life just so that she could be happy. Just because she kissed him, as in showed him human love/affection. If I recall correctly, she didn't even need to kiss him in any way in the original novel. He only needed to see "his living wife" in her eyes. I think that's pretty much saying the Phantom had some hope left. Especially as he would've taken her to the daylight. There is no way he would've held her in any cave when he was sick of living in cellars himself.

I've never wished she'd chosen Erik there and then in the final lair instead of in the end leaving with Raoul. Of course not. But I've always wished she'd later ditched Raoul and started a new life with Erik. In all versions that I love; (ALW fil, ALW stage, Leroux and Kay.)

I even daresay that even though she was naiive and easily leadbale, perhaps living with the Phantom may have helped Christine eventually grow some personality and maybe also become actually more independent woman. Something a life with someone like Raoul likely couldn't do. Hence, "All I Ask Of You" VS, the way she and the Phantom challenged each othe rin the final lair moments.

Can anyone honestly claim Phantom/Christine wouldn't have made a hell of a more colourful and psychologically interesting life/marriage than Raoul/Christine? If you can, please reason why?

PS. Added to that, I personally also think that at least in the 2004 film version, the Phantom's love was more genuine than Raoul's. Mentioning this against the question's rule because that was likely one essential reason why I became an E/C shipper.

E/C in fantasy, R/C in practise. That's about my view on things. As charming and endearing as the thought of her ending up with Erik is, it really just isn't a good idea in the long run.
Also: Bendaimmortal, I think you have seen some CRAPPY stage Christine's honey. Different actresses play the role different ways. Some will go with the naive practically-too-stupid-to-breathe angle, but others will try to make the character more complex, by showing a young woman slowly setting aside her childhood fairytales (which I believe she had held onto for so long in some kind of strange act of mourning for her father. But that's a different digression) and learning how to deal with the world as it is, and growing as a person into a stronger woman. And all sorts of other takes on the character.

Not that anything would change my ship, but out of general interest... Want to recommend better Christines? I could search if someone has happened to film them...

RACHEL BARRELL RACHEL BARRELL RACHEL BARRELL. RACHEL BARRELL IS THE GREATEST CHRISTINE ACTRESS EVER. IF YOU ONLY LOOK UP ONE LOOK UP HER.

*ahem*

...I'm R/C. Thoroughly. There was a time when I was E/C, and with some versions I still am (Charles Dance <3), but at the end of the day I'm R/C.

Thank you, renrae. (: I'm plannning on look up more (if more are recommended) and I will be looking up her.

Jennifer Hope Wills and Gina Beck (i don't think there are a lot of videos, but you can still try looking) :-)

My first Christine was Rebecca Pitcher. The first time I saw her I wasn't overly impressed, but a few years later when I saw her again she had gotten very VERY good.
I also like Rebecca Caine a great deal, from the Canadian recording. She has the best voice for Christine I've heard.
As for others I've seen that were good....Well, I can't recall her name. But she played opposite Scott Davies in London the first time I saw it there.
I'm going to have to go dig out my playbills.

Oooh, Becca Pitcher is good, too. So's Gina-- her performance especially is one of those where you can tell that there's love for the Phantom. But I love Gina in everything.

I love Christine with Erik. Something more magical about it to me than R/C. JMO :-)

Christine wouldn't be able to sing anymore if she married Raoul. Cause singer was considered to be a low-class career and therefore inappropriate for the wife of a nobleman.
And I completely agree with everything in bendaimmortal's comment (first comment)

I'm absolutely a E/C shipper. There is something special between Erik and Christine, Raoul and Christine doesn't match to me. Erik and Christine gives me the feelings about their love and passion for eachother. :-)