Ah, Paris. A city of romance, of music, of falling chandeliers. Falling chandeliers?
A fantastic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on the original novel by French writer Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera contains all three. This musical was one of Broadway’s longest-running shows, but after 35 years it finally ended. We can’t see it live, but I can share it with you. Let us learn the story of the mysterious ghost, the Phantom of the Opera.
The young chorus girl Christine fills the stubborn lead soprano Carlotta’s role in “Think of Me,” and is swept into the spotlight. She draws her childhood friend Raoul’s attention, and the Phantom’s, who falls in love with her voice. Christine admits to her friend that an “Angel of Music” visits her at night and teaches her how to sing while she sleeps—creepy—which she also confesses to Raoul. Neither think she is serious.
But, the supposed “Angel of Music” convinces Christine to come to him through the mirror in her dressing room and takes her to his lair through the Parisian sewers by boat during the title track, “The Phantom of the Opera.” The Phantom explains to her that he has chosen Christine to be the star of his operas. Understandably, this experience with an obsessive mystery man freaks Christine out and she collapses—maybe she should’ve stayed with Raoul. Following her collapse, the Phantom brings Christine to his bed to rest in my favorite song, “The Music of the Night.” The music’s calming swells are so beautiful, and the idea of freedom in the shadows instead of the light is intriguing. However, the Phantom’s possessive nature sneaks in. He’s fallen in love with Christine and has the spirit, but his actions make her hesitate.
After the opera house managers ignore the Phantom’s order to make Christine the lead, the Phantom takes revenge. Christine takes Raoul to the roof and explains her fears about the Phantom to him. While Raoul doesn’t believe in the “ghost,” he does love Christine and promises to protect her from this perceived threat in “All I Ask of You.” They promise to love each other “every waking moment” in a heartwarming song, but unfortunately, the Phantom overhears and is absolutely heartbroken. Devastated. Betrayed. So upset he shatters the chandelier during the performance that night. The Phantom threatens the theater with his opera and reveals Christine and Raoul’s secret engagement, claiming that Christine will always be his. It’s not the best move to win a girl over.
The show ends in a dramatic conclusion where the Phantom forces Christine to decide between staying with him, which will set Raoul free, or leaving, in which case the Phantom will kill her lover. Christine’s compassion saves them both when Christine tells the Phantom he is not alone and kisses him. This part always moves me. We all often have times when we feel isolated, but there are always people who care. Not to say the Phantom’s choices were good. Don’t be like him. After experiencing this kindness for the first time, the Phantom has a change of heart and helps the couple escape with the only boat. Part of “All I Ask of You” echoes through the Phantom’s lair as he declares the end of his music. The opera mob rushes in, but only the Phantom’s mask is left behind. Whether or not he was real and escaped or a ghost that finally moved on is left up to the audience to decide.
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical I treasure. Every time I listen to the soundtrack, I learn new details and fall in love again. And hopefully, you’re interested in falling in love with this musical too.
