Phantom Of The Opera Background Information
Though there have been negative reviews on the Phantom of the Opera, there are still some productions who run this musical. As a matter of fact, as a proof of its continuous fame; it ranked 2nd at a listener poll known as 'Nation's Number One Essential Musicals' of BBC Radio 2. Since 1986, the Phantom of the Opera has earned awards. It has earned the 1986 LONDON Olivier Awards for 'Outstanding Performance in a Musical', and 'Musical of the Year'. It has also won 'Best Musical' from London Evening Standard. For the year 1988, it has gained countless of awards from NEW YORK Tony Awards; Drama Desk Awards; and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Some of these awards include 'Best Direction', 'Best Music', 'Best Orchestration', 'Best Musical', 'Best Costumes', and several others. Up to the year 2002, this musical has still been garnering awards.
Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera is thought to be inspired by 'Trilby' of George du Maurier. But in reality, Leroux based his novel on real events which are related with the incidents taking place at the Paris Opera House. There have been stories about a ghost in the opera house and Leroux has taken an interest on this. One of the major characters of the musical is the Phantom who is facially deformed ever since his birth. In order to hide his deformity, he constantly wears a mask. Another character is Christine, the girl whom the Phantom has taken interest in. Raoul is the childhood sweetheart of Christine, while Carlotta Giudicelli is the leading diva of the opera who felt envious towards Christine. Madame Giry is a ballet mistress who acts as the 'spokeswoman' of the Phantom. Meg Giry is Christine's best friend; Monsieur Richard Firmin is the bad-tempered manager of the opera; while Monsieur Gilles Andre' is the erratic manager of the opera. Ubaldo Piangi is the leading tenor of the opera; Joseph Buquet is the chief stagehand; Monsieur Reyer is the director of the opera; and Monsieur Lefevre is the former owner of the opera.