With the third-highest grossing Broadway revenue, behind only The Lion King and Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera remains one of the most influential and iconic musicals in theater history. The musical flawlessly blends romance with the tragic, yet brilliant music, captivating more than 160 million people in 205 cities, 58 territories, and 21 languages since its first show in London’s West End in 1986. Unfortunately, even the longest-running show on Broadway couldn’t withstand the impact of the pandemic and had no choice but to end in 2023.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the musical revolves around a love triangle between Christine, the Phantom, and Raoul. Christine initially believes that the Phantom is an “Angel of Music” sent from her father in heaven. But after he becomes extremely obsessive—terrorizing the opera house to make her a star, she begins to unravel while falling in love with her childhood friend, Raoul. The story reaches its climax as the Phantom abducts Christine, threatening her to make an ultimate decision.
In this article, I will trace the origins and early impact of The Phantom of the Opera and explore how it has captivated the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Le Fantôme de l’Opéra
The Phantom of the Opera was first published as a gothic horror novel by French author and journalist, Gaston Leroux. While the story itself is fictional, many elements are based on true events. For instance, the musical’s signature chandelier crash was based on a real tragic accident in 1896, when a chandelier counterweight fell through the ceiling of the Paris Opera House. While this novel forms the foundation of the story, the musical adaptation alters certain elements to create a more dramatic and emotional experience. Andrew Lloyd Webber removed the detective subplot and centered the narrative around a young soprano, Christine Daae, and her complex love triangle, transforming a mystery novel into a romantic masterpiece.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
70 years after Leroux’s novel, Andrew Lloyd Webber had already experienced success with Cats and Starlight Express, and was eager to try something new. He then had what he described as an “epiphany” after discovering an old copy of Leroux’s novel by chance. Soon after, he gathered a creative team, composed the music, and co-produced the show. For the role of Christine, he chose his then-wife, the brilliant soprano Sarah Brightman, and cast Michael Crawford as the Phantom. It was immediately praised after its West End debut and continued to become one of the defining megamusicals of the 80s.
Film Adaptations
There have been multiple film adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera, but only one based directly on the musical: the 2004 film starring Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it managed to introduce the story’s haunting romance and electrifying music to a new generation.
The Phantom of the Opera has continued to mesmerize audiences with its grand production, powerful score, striking design, and tragic tale of unrequited love. I hope this article has helped both fans and newcomers of The Phantom of the Opera discover something interesting about this breathtaking musical.
And remember…The Phantom of the Opera will always be there, inside our minds.
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall — Spotify Link
Sources:
https://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/news/the-origins-of-phantom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_musical_theatre_productions
