The Phantom of the Opera (musical, 1986)

Idea

In 1984, Andrew Lloyd Webber invited , co-producer of the musicals Cats and Song and Dance , to stage a new musical. Focusing on the genre of a romantic play, he suggested taking Gaston Leroux 's novel “ The Phantom of the Opera ” as the basis. Together they watched a 1925 film adaptation with Lon Cheney and a 1943 movie with Claude Raines , but had no idea how to put the film on stage. Later, in New York, Lloyd Webber acquired a rare second-hand copy of Leroux's novel, which inspired him to create the musical.

Texts

At first, Lloyd Webber turned to Jim Steinman with a proposal to write lyrics because of his “dark obsessed side”, but Jim refused, since he was working on Bonnie Tyler's album at that time. Then Alan Jay Lerner was involved in the work, but soon he became seriously ill and was forced to leave the project; not one of his lyrics was featured on the show (including the song “Masquerade”). , author of the texts of the musical Star Express , owns most of the original material. Charles Hart - a young, then still little-known poet, later reworked most of the texts, adding his own, for example, “Think of Me”. However, some of Stilgow's texts were present in the final version of the show.

Score

Partly inspired by 's musical , Lloyd Webber created a score that at times transformed into an opera style, but which retained the form and structure of the musical. The full-fledged opera passages belong mainly to minor characters such as Andre and Firmen, Carlotta and Pianji. They are also used to add content to the fictional “operas” that are featured in shows such as Hannibal, Il Muto, and the Ghost’s masterpiece Don Juan Triumphant. Here Lloyd Webber applied a mixture of diverse styles - from the great operas of Meyerbeer to Mozart and even Gilbert and Sullivan . These inserts are often presented as musical fragments, interrupted by dialogue or action in order to clearly indicate the musical format - “show in show”. A musical excerpt from the Phantom’s opera Don Juan Triumphant, performed during one of the last scenes, unsettled, unsound and more suitable for modern times, suggests that the Phantom is artistically ahead of its era.

Design, direction and choreography

Designer designed the sets and created more than 200 costumes, including for the Masquerade issue. Her scenography, including such unforgettable elements as a chandelier, a gondola in the dungeon and a wide staircase, a rather ordinary set for a stage performance, brought her several prestigious awards. Hal Prince (the musicals Cabaret , , and Evita ) was the director of the production, while , assistant director and choreographer of the musical The Cats , was able to create a complete musical production and developed choreography.

First Show in Sidmonton

The first act of the musical was shown at the Sidmonton Festival in 1985, the role of the Ghost was played by Colm Wilkinson (better known for the production in Toronto ), the role of Christina was played by Sarah Brightman , Clive Carter (later participated in the London production) played the role of Raul. In this preliminary production, Richard Stilgow’s original, unchanged lyrics were used and many songs bore names that were later changed in the final version, for example, “What Has Time Done to Me” (“Think of Me”) and “Papers” (“Notes "). The Phantom mask completely covered the actor’s face during the whole performance, preventing him from seeing and drowning his voice. Bjørnson replaced her, now already a cult, half-mask, after which a scene was added to the performance with the exposure of the Ghost. Video from the preview, as an additional material, was included in the DVD film adaptation of the 2004 musical.

West End

The musicals started on September 27, 1986 at the " Her Majesty's Theater " directed by Hal Prince ; the premiere took place on October 9, 1986. The show's choreographer was , designer and lighting designer . Michael Crawford starred with Sarah Brightman in the role of Christina and in the role of Raoul. This is the second longest-running musical in the history of the West End (and the world) after the musical “ Les Miserables ” and the third longest-playing musical after the musical “Les Miserables” and the play “The Mousetrap ”.

The production, which is still in progress at Her Majesty's Theater, celebrated its 10,000th performance, which was attended by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Michael Crawford, on October 23, 2010. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the performance took place in London on October 1 and 2, 2011 at Albert Hall , which was attended by Andrew Lloyd Webber and original actors, including Crawford and Brightman.

Broadway

The pre-screenings of the musical on Broadway began on January 9, 1988 at the Majestic Theater, and premiered on January 26, 1988. Crawford, Brightman and Barton performed the same roles as in London. Broadway production to this day goes to The Majestic Theater, where in October 2014 more than 11 113 ^[4] performances took place and in January 2015 celebrated the 27th anniversary of uninterrupted rental. This is the longest running show in Broadway history.

Russia

On November 7, 2013, Stage Entertainment Theater Company announced a casting for roles in the upcoming Russian production of the musical. And on March 6, 2014, Stage Entertainment and the British Really Useful Group jointly announced the production of the musical in Moscow ^[5] . The premiere of the Russian version took place on October 4, 2014 at the MDM Theater and lasted about two years ^[6] . The role of the Ghost was played by Dmitry Ermak , Ivan Ozhogin and Andrey Shkoldychenko, the role of Kristin was played by Elena Bakhtiyarova and Tamara Kotova, in the role of Raul Evgeny Zaitsev. The musical rehearsals have been going on since August, at about the same time began the installation of decorations, including the falling chandelier. In the second half of July, Russian ghosts Christine and Raul visited London, where they saw the original production, talked with their colleagues and took a master class from the musical author E. L. Webber ^[5] . After that, they went to Paris, where they toured the Grand Opera, the place where the events of the book took place, and also met with the great-granddaughter of the writer Gaston Leroux, Veronique. The modernization of the MDM theater lasted more than 5 months, the cost of work amounted to more than 200 million rubles, after the modernization the capacity of the auditorium reached 1850 seats ^[7] . Russian viewers are presented with an original production staged in London in 1986, as amended in 1988 for Broadway; In turn, the translator of the musical’s lyrics - Alexey Ivashchenko - said that because of the capacity of the English language, you will have to say goodbye to a quarter of the meaning of the original lyrics. Initially, it was reported that Andrew Lloyd Webber could visit the premiere of the musical, but the composer could not come. But the premiere was attended by Charles Hart (author of the song lyrics for the musical), Richard Stilgo (author of the libretto) and Andrew Bridge (lighting design), as well as the great-granddaughter of the writer Gaston Leroux - Veronik. Less than a month after the premiere, the musical set an absolute record for the speed of ticket sales in Russia.

On April 30, 2016, the last performance took place, which led to the end of a two-year rental.

On March 16 and 17, 2018, Stage Entertainment delivered a concert version of the musical in the State Kremlin Palace, dedicated to Webber’s 70th birthday. In total, three performances were given, in which almost all the artists of the Moscow production 2014-2016 took part.

The plot of the musical is to show the viewer the power of true love, to show that even the most callous heart can become kinder and softer.

Prologue

1919 year. At the Paris Opera, the old props are sold at auction. Lot number 665 - a music box in the form of a monkey, bought by the elderly Raul de Chagni. He gently looks at the box, noting that all the details look "exactly as she said ..."

Lot 666 is a broken chandelier, which, according to the auctioneer, is most closely associated with the "amazing story of the Phantom of the Opera ... an unrevealed secret." Suddenly, the chandelier begins to illuminate and slowly rises above the hall to its old place. The action is transferred to the 1880s ("Overture").

Act One

1881 year. The new owners of the Opera - Monsieur Firmen and Andre take business with the old owner and attend a rehearsal ("Hannibal Rehearsal"). Carlotta, the prima donna of the Paris Opera, rehearses before the evening performance, but the back decoration suddenly falls, almost hitting the diva. Excited actors believe that this incident was not without the legendary Phantom of the Opera. Monsieur Firmen and Andre - are trying to smooth out the conflict, but Carlotta refuses to continue the rehearsal and leaves, violently outraged that such incidents have happened to her over the past few years.

Madame Giri, the choreographer of the Opera, tells Firmen and Andre about the Phantom of the Opera and his requirements, including that he is required to pay a salary and leave box No. 5 for him. Meg, her daughter, claims that Kristina Dae, a chorus girl from Sweden and an orphaned daughter famous violinist, "well trained" and can replace Carlotta. The directors are reluctant to give her a chance, and, to everyone's surprise, she does an excellent job with her role (Think of Me).

After the triumphant debut, Christine admits to Meg who is actually her mysterious teacher - the mystical Angel of Music, whom her father promised to send to her before her death (Angel of Music). The new patron of the Opera, Viscount Raul de Chagni, who has known Christina since childhood, comes to her dressing room. Together they remember the past, and Christina admits to Raul that she was visited by an angel and taught her to sing (“Little Lotte”). Raoul does not believe her and, despite her protests, insists that she go with him to dinner. After Raul leaves, the thunderous voice expresses his displeasure with the presence of Raul. Christina prays to Angela to finally show herself, and, having heeded her plea, the Phantom of the Opera appears in her dressing room mirror. He leads Christine through the mirror. Raoul hears them, but enters the dressing room just at the moment when the Ghost and Christine disappear ("Angel of Music / The Mirror"). A ghost leads Christina into the dungeons of the Opera House (The Phantom of the Opera). They cross the underground lake and find themselves in its secret lair deep beneath the Opera, a terrible place with many candles and organ pipes. The ghost explains to Christina that he chose her so that she sang his music, and fell in love with her. He urges her to forget the life she knew before, and seduces her (The Music of the Night). He shows Christina a doll - an exact copy of herself in a wedding dress. Kristina faints, and the Ghost puts her to bed, repeating once again about her passionate feelings for her ...

The morning is coming. While the Ghost composes music while sitting at the organ (“I Remember ...”), Christina wakes up to the sound of a music box in the shape of a monkey. She gets close to the Ghost, takes off his mask and sees his disfigured face. The ghost is infuriated by her curiosity, then, calmed down, longingly says that he always wanted to have a normal human face, and also wanted to be loved by Christina ("Stranger Than You Dreamt It"). She makes it clear to the Phantom that she cannot reciprocate, because her heart is busy. He takes the mask from Kristina’s hands and takes it back to the dressing room.

At this time in Opera, the main stage worker, Joseph Bouquet, who, like Madame Giri, inexplicably knows a lot about the Phantom, scares young ballerinas with stories about the “Ghost of the Opera” and its terrible Punjabi stranglehold (“Magical Lasso”). Madame Giri warns him of the consequences and asks for restraint.

Firmen and Andre receive letters from the Phantom of the Opera, where he gives them instructions on staging a new opera, which is very annoying. Raul bursts in, demanding to tell him where Christina is, and shows the owners of the Opera a letter from the Phantom, in which Raul is warned to stay away from Christina. Carlotta also appears with a letter (written, in her opinion, by Raul), in which it is reported that Christina will play her role. Мадам Жири показывает ещё одно письмо от Призрака: он требует, чтобы Кристина заменила Карлотту в новой опере «Il Muto» («Notes…»). Фирмен и Андрэ уверяют Карлотту в том, что её роль останется за ней («Prima Donna»), но во время выступления случается невероятное («Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh»). При непосредственном участии Призрака голос Карлотты становится похожим на лягушачье кваканье, она теряет голос. Владельцы Оперы выпускают на сцену балет, чтобы развлечь аудиторию, пока Кристину готовят к выступлению вместо Карлотты. Во время танца поднимается задний фон, за которым, ко всеобщему ужасу, оказывается труп повешенного Жозефа Буке, свисающего со стропил на Пенджабской удавке.

Во время всеобщей паники Кристина убегает с Раулем на крышу, где рассказывает ему о Призраке и своём путешествии в его логово. Рауль относится к этому скептично («Why Have You Brought Me Here?/Raoul, I've Been There»), но признаётся ей в любви и клянётся всегда защищать её. Они сливаются в поцелуе («All I Ask of You»). Ревнивый Призрак, подслушавший их беседу, раздавлен горем. Он в ярости клянётся отомстить влюблённым («All I Ask of You (Reprise)») и по его воле огромная Оперная люстра обрушивается на сцену. Занавес падает.

Акт второй

Шесть месяцев спустя, во время праздничного бала-маскарада («Masquerade»), впервые с момента крушения люстры появляется Призрак, скрывающий своё лицо под маской Красной Смерти. Он объявляет, что написал новую оперу под названием «Don Juan Triumphant» и требует, чтобы её немедленно поставили («Why So Silent?») с Кристиной в главной роли. Призрак знает, что Кристина тайно помолвилась с Раулем. Он отбирает у неё обручальное кольцо и исчезает. Рауль требует, чтобы Мадам Жири рассказала ему всё, что она знает о Призраке. Она рассказывает ему о бродячей ярмарке, которая однажды остановилась в Париже, и главной диковинкой этой ярмарки был ужасно уродливый человек, пойманный и запертый в клетке, оказавшийся гениальным музыкантом, фокусником и архитектором, когда-то построившим зеркальный лабиринт для персидского шаха. Вскоре он сбежал. Мадам Жири предполагает, что Призрак и тот несчастный беглец — одно лицо.

Raul comes up with a plan that decides to use Don Juan Triumphant as a trap to catch the Ghost (Notes / Twisted Every Way). Christine, torn between her love for Raul and her unwillingness to betray the person who inspired her voice, at first refuses to participate in his plan, but then decides that she has no choice. She visits her father’s grave to try to lighten her soul (“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”). The Ghost appears and seduces Christina again, offering her to follow him ("Wandering Child"), but Raoul suddenly intervenes and protects her. The ghost is trying to provoke Raul to attack, as he himself shoots fireballs from his rod ("Bravo, Monsieur!"). Christina manages to prevent the killing of Raul, and together they run away. A ghost declares war on both of them.

The day comes for the premiere of Don Juan Triumphant, with Cristina and Ubaldo Pyanji (lead tenor of the Opera) in the lead roles. During their duet, Christina suddenly realizes that she is not singing with Ubaldo Pyanji, but with the Phantom (“The Point of No Return”). He gives Christina a ring, singing a heartfelt reprise of “All I Ask of You,” but she rips off his mask, flaunting his terrible, ugly face. A ghost captures Christina and flees into the dungeon as Pyanji was found strangled backstage. Everyone runs in a panic, Raoul rushes in pursuit of the Ghost. Madame Giri tells Raul about the Phantom's underground lair and escorts him part of the way, reminding him to beware of the Punjabi stranglehold, keeping his palm at eye level. ("Down Once More / Track Down This Murderer").

In the den, Christina is forced to wear a doll's wedding dress. She asks the Ghost: who is she? his next victim? He replies that the reason why she cannot love him again lies in his face, because of which even her own mother refused to love him. Christina answers that the matter is not in the face, but in his distorted soul.

Raul finds the lair, but the Phantom captivates him with the help of the Punjabi stranglehold. He promises Kristina that he will free Raul if she agrees to stay with him forever; if she refuses, Raul will die (“Final Lair”). Raul asks Christina not to ruin her life because of him, the Ghost insists that she make a choice. Christina is trying to ask the former Angel of mercy. She shows him her decision with a passionate kiss. The ghost, having experienced for the first time kindness and compassion, unites them and sets them free. Kristina returns the ring that he gave her and pityfully listens to his declaration of love. She forces herself to leave and leaves with Raul. Kristina sings the last reprise of “All I Ask of You,” while the Ghost cries, buried in her veil. He gives a brief reprise of “The Music of the Night”, after which, sitting on his throne, he completely covers himself with a cloak. A crowd bursts into the den, Meg pulls off his cloak, but there is no Phantom under him, he disappeared. Only his mask remained.

• The Phantom of the Opera with Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley
• The Music of the Night with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman
• All I Ask of You with Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard
• Wishing you were somehow here again with Sarah Brightman

• Dreams of Sanity and Lacrimosa , Masquerade album (1999)
• Me First and the Gimme Gimmes , album " Are a Drag " (1999)
• Nightwish - “The Phantom of the Opera”, Century Child (2002)
• En-Garde - “The Phantom of the Opera”, album “Forgotten Memories” (2003)
• Citadel of the Winds - “Phantom of the Last Opera”, album “Mysticism” (2003)
• Turetsky Choir - “Music of the Night”, album “Born to Sing” (2005)
• Ideas - “Az Operahaz Fantomja”, album “Ébredés - Revival” (2006)
• Fear of Insomnia - “The Phantom of the Opera”, demo “Wings of the Fallen” (2006)
• Iced Warm - “The Phantom of the Opera”, album “Brutal opera” (2006)
• Barbara Streisand and Il Divo - “Music of the Night”, album “Live in Concert 2006” (2007)
• Anabantha - “El Phantasma De La Opera”, album “Letanias Capitulo II: La Pesadilla” (2007)
• - “The Music of the Night”, album “Teatro” (2007)
• Pyramidium - Fear of Insomnia, album "Alternate Reality Machine" (2008)
• Liv Moon - “The Phantom of the Opera”, Double Moon album (2009)
• Unreal and Roman Rain - single “The Phantom of the Opera” (2010) ^[8]
• Harajuku - “The Phantom of the Opera”, Just One Look album (1995)

• The official website of the musical The Phantom of the Opera in Russia
• Official site of the musical The Phantom of the Opera
• The Phantom of the Opera musical on Musicals.Ru
• The Phantom of the Opera: All About the Legend - a Russian-language web portal dedicated to the theme “The Phantom of the Opera” in all incarnations
• FANDROM: The Phantom of the Opera website in all incarnations
• Translation of the musical A.V. Butuzov
• Webber Musical - All World Performances
• [ Phantom of the Opera site ]