Facts and Notes D. Cline – GRC & Literature 7 Oak Mountain Middle School Phantom of the Opera

I. Setting – Paris Opera House 1. In 1860, Napoleon III, ruler of France, held a contest to find an architect to build an opera house.

Setting – Paris Opera House 2. Charles Garnier won the contest and became the architect of the Paris Opera House. Construction began in 1861.

II. Construction – Paris Opera House 1.An underground stream was found running through the site a. Steam pump worked for 8 months, 24 hours a day, to dry it out

Construction – Paris Opera House b. An underground lake was created c. The underground lake was used for hydraulic stage machinery (to lift costumes, scenery, etc. to stage level)

Construction – Paris Opera House 2. Construction stopped in 1869 due to the Franco Prussian War (from 1870 –71) and to lack of money

III. History of the Opera House 1.The unfinished opera house was used as an arsenal & to store food, supplies, and 1 million liters of wine

History of the Opera House 2. France lost the war. Unfinished building taken over by working classes. a.Used as an observation post, communications center, and commune (community living space).

History of the Opera House b. Used as a military prison 3. Completed opera house opened on Jan. 5, 1875 (Napoleon III never got to use it)

History of the Opera House 4.It cost 47 million francs (French money) in 1875 to build the Opera House – at today’s exchange rate = over 54 million US dollars or over 10 million Euros

IV. Facts – Paris Opera House 1. It’s the largest building for opera in the world (but only seats 2, 156)

Facts – Paris Opera House 2. There are 4 sections to the building a. Stage: 175 ft. wide (side to side) x 85 ft. deep (front to back)

b.Foyer (like a lobby) c. Grand staircase (horseshoe shape with 10 chandeliers) d. Lounges (Napoleon’s private area) Facts – Paris Opera House

3. Dimensions of the Opera House a. 17 stories (7 stories were below street level)

Facts – Paris Opera House b. 118,500 sq. ft. on 3 acres of land c. Had a permanent staff of 1500 with 2 ballet schools, 80 dressing rooms & apartments for the ballerinas

Facts – Paris Opera House 4. The chandelier in the center of the auditorium had 7 tons of metalwork and glass, & contained 400 bulbs

V. Important People: Gaston Leroux 1. Gaston Leroux is the author of Phantom of the Opera A. Born May 6, 1868 in Paris, France B. He won many academic awards

C. He earned a law degree in 1889 D. Worked as a court reporter, theater critic, and newspaper journalist E. Began writing short stories, poetry & fiction in 1907 (his favorite authors were Edgar Allan Poe & Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) Important People

F. He is known for writing French detective fiction & formed his own film company in 1909 G. When his father died he left him 1 million francs – Gaston spent it all on drinking & gambling; he became bankrupt

Important People H. In 1911 he wrote the novel The Phantom of the Opera. He also wrote romance & fantasy novels.

Important People I. He was married twice & had one daughter, Madeleine & one son, Alfred J. He died on April 15, 1927 from complications of diabetes

VI. Evolution of Phantom 1. Movie versions A. 1 st film version of Phantom of the Opera released by Universal Studios, 1924

Evolution of Phantom B. It was a silent/black & white movie C. Lon Chaney was the actor who played the Phantom

Evolution of Phantom 2. The 1943 version had sound, singing, color, and the story line was changed 3. A 1962 movie version was made as a horror film

4. The 1974 rock musical version of the story was called Phantom of the Paradise. The Phantom resides in a concert hall called “The Paradise.” Evolution of Phantom

5. The 1983 TV version was set in Budapest & not in Paris.

VII. Musical Version of Phantom 1. In 1986 the musical play version of Phantom opened in London, England. It opened on Broadway in 1988.

Musical Version of Phantom 2. The musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber A. He was born in 1948 in London, England. He wrote the musical play version in 1983.

Musical Version of Phantom B. Andrew’s father was a famous organist & composer in London. His mother was a violinist & pianist

Musical Version of Phantom C. Andrew has written 13 musical plays & is still writing today D. He owns 7 London theaters E. He has received Grammy, Academy, Tony, & Golden Globe Awards

Musical Version of Phantom 3. Andrew is famous for writing these musical plays: Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

Musical Version of Phantom 4. Andrew was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in He wrote a musical sequel to Phantom of the Opera in 2009 titled Love Never Dies 6. He is currently working on a musical play version of The Wizard of Oz

Official Phantom Website Visit this website to get more information about the musical play we are about to begin!