Hello! This is Alisia Lee, the author of this blog. Today, for my passion blog, I would like to introduce you one of my favorite musical songs! For this post, I’ve chosen the song “Phantom of the Opera” from the musical The Phantom of the Opera.

 

The musical “The Phantom of the Opera”, running for over 25 years, The Phantom Of The Opera is one of the most popular musical productions of all time (songfacts.com) and the song “Phantom of the Opera” is the main theme song of this musical.

 

Did you know that this musical was originated from a novel?

The novel by French author Gaston Leroux was originally published as a serialization in the Le Gaulois newspaper from September 1909 to January 1910 but did not draw much attention (songfacts.com).

 

Later after the novel was published, the musical producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber newly produced “Phantom of the Opera” as a musical. And it began Broadway previews at the Majestic Theatre on 9 January 1988 and opened on 26 January. Crawford, Brightman, and Barton reprised their respective roles from the West End (Broadway league).

 

 

The plot of the musical

“Begins when an opera ghost terrorizes the cast and crew of the French Opera House while tutoring a chorus girl. He finally drives the lead soprano crazy so she and her friend leave. The girl is able to sing lead one night but the soprano doesn’t want her show stolen so she comes back. The ghost demands they keep giving his protégé lead roles. Meanwhile, His pupil falls in love with the Vicomte de Chagny, but the Phantom is in love with Christine, his student. The Phantom is outraged by their love and kidnaps Christine to be his eternal bride.” (written by Niki)

 

 

The song “Phantom of the Opera” is sung at the highlight of the musical, when the Phantom’s obsession of love toward Christine reveals and tries to take Christine to his own hiding place. And Christine, following the Phantom by an unknown power, trying to know the hidden secret of the man who is behind the mask.

 

The title character’s obsession with a beautiful young soprano at the Paris Opera House, where his deformity forces him to skulk in the shadows and hide behind a mask. The lyrics, written by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, reflect how he woos her with his otherworldly voice and haunts her dreams (songfacts.com).

 

 

 

 

From the song it has a great power from the majestic background sound, almost referring to the Beethoven Symphony No.5 ‘Schicksal.” Also, the deep dark voice of the Phantom and light but a strong and pure voice of Christine combines well with each other. The two characters have a strong influence on each other in the song that it may sound like a love song, even though it’s more of a dark obsessed love. Also, the high light of the song, which is the high notes for Christine, is one of the most splendid and remarkable that gives you a great thrill. This is one of the reasons that I love this song the most than the other songs!!

 

 

 

For those who know nothing about this song or musical, then I also recommend you to watch the musical movie “The Phantom of the Opera” in 2004.