The Phantom of the OperaGaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera, first published in 1910, remained a perennial favorite throughout the twentieth century and into the millenium. It was adapted to several popular motion pictures and into one of the most successful stage musicals of all time. Its main character, Erik, is a romantic figure and sensitive soul whose appeal reaches across different cultures and times. He is an accomplished composer and musician whose great unfinished work, Don Juan Triumphant, is described as breathtakingly beautiful by the one person he allows to hear it. Erik is an object of pity, whose face has been disfigured from birth, causing him to hide behind a silk mask; and he is hopelessly in love with a young woman. He can never seriously hope she will love him back. |
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acting-manager Angel of Music arms asked ballet began Box Five Carlotta Chris Christine Daaé Christine's commissary cried Daaé's dark daroga dear death death's head Debienne and Poligny disappeared Don Juan Triumphant door dressing-room envelope Erik Erik's eyes face Firmin Richard foyer Gabriel Gaston Leroux gave girl hand hear heard Jammes Joseph Buquet knew Lachenel Lahore lake laugh listen little Meg looked Louis-Philippe Mame Giry Mamma Valérius managers mask Mazenderan Meg Giry Mercier Mifroid mirror Moncharmin monster mysterious never night once opened Opera ghost Paris Perros Perros-Guirec Persian PHANTOM poor Punjab lasso Rémy replied safety-pin scene scorpion seemed seen silence singing Sorelli stage story suddenly tell terrible thing third cellar thought tine told took torture-chamber trap-door turned twenty-thousand francs Vicomte de Chagny viscount voice wait wall word young