Recently, I have been fascinated with two particular musicals, that I have been listening to/watching frequently lately. Those being “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Love Never Dies.” I have been a fan of “The Phantom of the Opera” movie ever since I was a kid. I remember watching the first movie for the first time and being entranced by the outfits, setting, characters and music in this movie. As a kid, I didn’t really understand some deeper meanings or plots in the movie but that didn’t matter. The beautiful singing along with engaging acting and scenery brought me into a different world and stirred up emotions none-the-less. I would always try and sing along (even if my singing was bad) and imagine myself living in a world of the past, and relating to these characters.
Recently, I decided to watch the movie again which led me to research “The Phantom of the Opera.” I had no idea that there where so many variations of this work. “The Phantom of the Opera” originated as a novel written by French author, Gaston Leroux. It was first published in 1909. My interest in this work has lead me to purchase this book (English translation) online and I am not very far in. I was very surprised at the start of the book, realizing how much the original concepts and characters have been changed through the years to fit new forms of media. I am very interested to finish this book and see what the differences are from the original to the new forms of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
“The Phantom of the Opera” was adapted to a musical with songs written by Andrew Loyd Webber. The musical was first performed in 1986 and ran on broadway for 31 years after. This goes to show that Webber composed some very timeless songs that aided in bringing the story to a larger audience. To me the songs within this musical are very powerful and emotional, bringing you into the world and engaging you to the story. I think it is great that you can experience this story through written words, songs, or through acting on stage. Over the years the musical as well as individual songs have been performed by various talented artists and it is up to you to find with artist’s rendition is your favorite.
“The Phantom of the Opera” was also adapted into a movie in 2004, bringing in all the songs from the musical. This is the version I grew up with, so I will always love the actors’ portrayals of these classic songs and characters. The movie is a great way to immortalize the musical into a permanent form, that has a great set, cast, and audio quality. It is really sad when you can’t experience a musical in real life, but you still want to feel the magic for yourself. Each rendition of “The Phantom of the Opera” has its own unique charm and characteristics, making them unified but also distinctly different. I found it very fun and interesting to see the changes between the different musical versions, the movie, and the book.
These variations have shown to me that every director or artist can have their own vision of the same concept, with beautiful results. Gaston Leroux’s original book is written as an investigation into the opera house, where these events are said to occur. It has the feeling of a mystery thriller, where you are questioning the people in the story and trying to figure out the mystery of the phantom. Andrew Loyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” takes the approach of a romance love triangle. He explores the psychology of the phantom and how people who where different back then, where treated as outcasts or freaks and cast out of society. The phantom in the musical/movie has dealt with being abandoned by his own mother, to be locked up in a cage where he endured countless trauma/torment by others for his appearance. Even though he was a person just like everyone else, he was despised as a monster and feared. The phantom uses this as fuel for his dark side to grow, as he hides under the opera house and pretends to be a ghost. He ends up being very talented in writing and singing music and becomes attached to the protagonist Christine for her beauty and voice of an angel. In this complicated story we can feel the pain of the phantom for love and belonging, but also how his need for this validation and desperation to acquire it leads him to act like an actual monster. I love that he wrote this complex character not as just a pure villain, but explains how he is slowly pushed to do the things he does.
The movie/musical also shows the complex character Christine. She faces a challenge within herself of what music means to her as well as how to follow her heart. Christine loses her father at a young age and is left to the care of the opera house. She does not know how to deal with this loss, so she starts to believe that the phantom is an angel sent by her father to protect her. Needing guidance and safety, she leans on the support of the phantom to tell her what to do and guide her in becoming a great singer. She is very surprised and hurt to learn that the phantom is not actually her father, and she finally starts to question what she should be doing and feeling in life. She starts to develop a relationship with someone, but comes to learn that the phantom is violent and possessive when it comes to her trying to pursue anyone but him. In the end, she shows the phantom compassion and that he is not alone in the world. These genuine feelings and emotions are enough to make the phantom feel bad about what he was doing and let her be free.
These characters go through a journey of loneliness, betrayal, love and lust that can be relatable to situations we go through in life. The feelings of missing a loved one, being drawn to a passion very intently, knowing the real meaning of love, and learning acceptance. It is a very powerful story to me that I will keep loving and exploring. I think it is a great piece of media and goes to show that some media has lasting meanings and implications that can be explored and appreciated in the modern day.
This story has inspired me in many ways, from learning to let go, handle loss, exploring yourself, love and being compassionate to others, as well as appreciating the great arts of the past. I love that this story shows the glory days of the opera and how much work goes into singing, dancing, set design, choreography, and music in media. Many of the practices of great performances have always been there, but have been adapted to the digital age. It is fascinating to me to learn about our history in the world and how many of our struggles as individuals are ones that have always been there.
Let me know if there is any piece of media that has heavily inspired you in your life today and why.