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. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acting-manager Angel of Music arms astrakhan ballet began Box Five brother Carlotta Christine Daaé Christine's commissary Count Philippe cried dark daroga dear death death's head Debienne and Poligny disappeared Don Juan Triumphant door dressing-room envelope Erik Erik's eyes face Faust Firmin Richard foyer Gabriel gave girl hand hear heard iron tree Jammes Joseph Buquet knew Lachenel Lahore lake laugh listened little Meg looked Louis-Philippe mademoiselle Mame Giry Mamma Valérius managers mask Mazenderan Meg Giry Mercier Mifroid mirror monster mysterious never night once opened Opera ghost passage Perros Perros-Guirec Persian poor Punjab lasso Rémy replied safety-pin sang scene seemed seen silence singing Sorelli staircase suddenly tell terrible thing third cellar thought told took torture-chamber trap-door turned twenty-thousand francs Vicomte de Chagny viscount voice waiting wall word young دو وو