Thank God it's Friday. Today was actually quite nice. Some college people went over in our school today, talking about the right choices we should make in taking a course. I'm a senior in high school, and I'd be going to college next year so yeah, this is quite a big deal.
Anyway, let's move on to something important. I didn't finish my Phantom of the Opera blog yesterday, because it was too long and it was very late. This is going to be a continuation, where I will be tackling all about the songs of Phantom. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the musical and/or the songs so I'll be describing each, and maybe I'll mention some names. In a way, I'm giving you the summary of the whole musical.
So let's start!
1.) Overture
The musical starts when they were having an auction in the Paris Opera House. Raoul is already an old man, and he buys this musical monkey that reminds him of his late wife, Christine. They were about to auction off Lot 666 which is the chandelier. Then the auctioneer told some of his men to show the chandelier. Then the chandelier goes up and it takes the audience back to the past.
Chandelier in the Broadway production
And as the chandelier goes up, the orchestra play this amazing instrumental which became one of the trademarks of Phantom. I actually tried listening to this song while I was washing the dishes and I felt AWESOME. You should try listening to it while jogging or exercising. It actually gives you a good feeling. I don't know if it works on you, but it did work on me!
2.) Rehearsal of Hannibal/ Carlotta's Think of Me
The Paris Opera House was practicing for Hannibal starring the famous soprano Carlotta and her (I think) fiance, Piangi. Then while they were taking a break, the owner of the Paris Opera House said he's going to retire leaving the opera house to two gentlemen, Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin. They asked Carlotta to sing for them, and she sang this amazing song from Hannibal - Think of Me but she was unable to finish it because they were disturbed when a backdrop fell. The new owners reassured Carlotta stating "These things do happen!" Carlotta was insulted and she left with Piangi.
Rehearsal for Hannibal
Carlotta and Piangi in Hannibal
3.) Think of Me
Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre didn't know who to cast as Elisa because their soprano star just left. Meg Giry, the daughter of Madame Giry who trains the ballerinas, spoke up that Christine Daae could do it. They were curious about Christine, but they were skeptical about her. Christine sang Think of Me, which Carlotta had sung earlier. At first she was nervous but in the end, she got confident and she got the part. And then that night, while she was singing this song, she got the eye of Raoul, who remembered her as his childhood friend. Christine ended the song with her beautiful cadenza.
Katherine Buffaloe as Christine
Steve Barton as Raoul
4.) Angel of Music
Oh God, one of my most favorite songs in the musical. After Christine performance, she was greeted by her friends. One of them was Meg, who as you remember, the girl who suggested Christine to sing the part. She asked Christine who trained her, and Christine was being mysterious about it. She then explained to Meg that she doesn't see him, but she could hear him and she senses him. Meg was curious about this "Angel of Music" and she told Christine that this was impossible.
Lisa Hull as Christine and Lucy Potter as Meg
4.) Little Lotte
After Christine and Meg talked, Raoul came to Christine's dressing room to talk to her. She then remembered about their childhood memories and they reminisce about the story her father used to tell them. She told Raoul that her Angel of Music really existed and her father did really send him to her. You see, when Mr. Daae was still alive, he promised his daughter that if he dies, he will send the Angel of Music to her. Raoul didn't mind this, and he just laughed at her. He invited Christine to dinner, but she refused saying that the Angel of Music is very strict and he will be angry to her. Raoul insisted and he told her to get ready while he will get his things.
Sarah Lawrence as Christine and Greg Mills as Raoul
5.) The Mirror/Angel of Music (Reprise)
Things are starting to heat up! As soon as Raoul left, the Phantom (obviously, "Angel of Music" but Christine doesn't know that yet) was heard by Christine and he sounded really angry. Christine asked for forgiveness and she told him that she wanted to see him. He told her to look in the mirror and Christine saw him. This has got to be one of the most iconic scenes of Phantom of the Opera and I actually really like this scene.
Emilie Lynn as Christine
6.) The Phantom of the Opera
Another one of my favorite parts of the whole musical. Christine followed the Phantom inside the mirror and he led her to his lair on a boat. This was the title song, and I really love this part. Especially the time when Christine was vocalizing in the last part. That scene never fails to give me the CHILLS.
Gary Mauer as Phantom and Marie Danvers as Christine
7.) The Music of the Night
When they arrived at his lair, the Phantom began to sing about his world to Christine. He told her that he wanted her to be part of this, and in a way, it was as if he was giving his world to her. He also said that he chose her to be the person to sing his songs because of her wonderful voice. But then shit happened when the Phantom shown Christine a mannequin that looked like her wearing a wedding dress. The mannequin suddenly moved and Christine fainted. The Phantom carried her back to the boat and sang this wonderful line, "You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the music of the night."
Teri Bibb as Christine and Kevin Gray as Phantom
8.) I Remember/Stranger Than You Dreamt It
When Christine woke up from her sleep, she recalled the last moments before she fainted. She remembered about a man who was wearing a mask, and how he led her to his lair by a boat. She saw the Phantom composing in his piano and thought about removing the mask because she wanted to see his face. When she removed it, the Phantom screamed and yelled at her, telling that she betrayed him. This was also the moment that he told Christine that he wanted her to accept him and to love him. Christine picked up the mask and slowly gave it back to him. This was also an iconic scene for me. Then the Phantom told Christine that she needs to get back before they will learn she's gone.
Sylvia Rhyne as Christine and Peter Karrie as Phantom
9.) Magical Lasso
Back at the opera house, Joseph Buquet, someone who worked in the opera, was scaring the girls about the Phantom. He knew a lot about the Phantom, and he jokingly told the ballerinas that if they're on their guard, the Phantom would grab them and choke them with his lasso. Madame Giry arrived, and she told Buquet to be quiet (shut the eff up if you want to stay alive). She also warned him to keep his hand on the level of his eyes.
Marcel Jonker as Joseph Buquet
10.) Notes
This is actually a very underrated scene. People usually find this very boring, but it actually is a lot of fun (given the actors were good actors and could really make people laugh). Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin were happy about their good fortune with Christine, but they kept receiving notes that demands them about money. They think it was a practical joke, and they just laugh about it. And then Raoul arrived, saying that he received a note that they sent to him about not looking for Christine. But they told him they didn't send it. Then Carlotta and Piangi arrived, looking angrily for Raoul since he supposedly sent her a note saying that she mustn't sing anymore since Christine will sing her parts. Raoul said he didn't sent it and they wonder who could be playing a trick on them. Finally Madame Giry arrived with a note saying that Christine will play as the countess and Carlotta will play as the page boy (a silent role) in Il Muto - a new opera or there will disasters going to happen.
Gareth Snook as Monsieur Andre, Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta
and Barry James as Monsieur Firmin
11.) Prima Donna
Carlotta got angry and as a result, Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin decided to appease her. They promised her that she'd still be the countess, the "Prima Donna" and that she will be the leading cast in Il Muto. Madame Giry was against the idea, saying that they mustn't make the Phantom angry. Meanwhile, Raoul remembered Christine mentioned "Angel of Music" and he wondered whether Christine was saying the truth.
Madrid, Spain 2004 cast
12.) Il Muto/Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh
During the performance of Il Muto, the managers and Raoul (I'm not sure about Raoul being with them) decided to sit at Box 5 even though the Phantom warned them not to. But they said the whole opera house was occupied. Anyway, they proceeded with the idea that Carlotta must play as the countess and Christine to be the page boy. This made the Phantom mad and changed Carlotta's voice, making her sound like a frog. She left the stage, crying, and Monsieur Firmin told the audience that the opera will resume when Christine will play as the countess. While waiting for them, the ballerinas entertained the audience in their dances but then stopped when the corpse of Joseph Buquet was hung by a lasso. Everybody panicked but Andre assured that it was only an accident.
Production of Il Muto
13.) Why Have You Brought Me Here? / Raoul, I've Been There
Christine led Raoul to the rooftop, hoping the Phantom won't follow them there. She explained to him about her encounter with the Phantom and told him about his gruesome face. Raoul assured him it was only a dream but Christine insisted that she was saying the truth. Then she heard the Phantom whispering her name and she began to sob because she was scared.
Kimilee Bryant as Christine
14.) All I Ask of You
Ah, one of the most romantic songs in the whole history of musical theater. Raoul assured Christine that everything will be all right. He also professed his love for her through this song. Christine, finding contentment and happiness with her childhood best friend, reciprocated his feelings for her. They kissed and went back inside the opera house.
Jason Pebworth as Raoul and Amy Jo Arrington as Christine
15.) All I Ask of You (Reprise)
The Phantom appeared and he heard their conversation. He was angry, hurt and jealous. He said that Raoul just loved Christine when he heard her sing. Angrily, he shouted these heartbreaking words, "You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you!" Then he let the chandelier fall to the ground as Act 1 ends.
Peter Joback as Phantom
16.) Masquerade
Six months later, the opera house recovered with the chandelier fall. They already bought another chandelier. They have this amazing Masquerade party. This has got to be my favorite part. Everywhere you look... PRETTY COSTUMES. This was also the part when Christine mentioned her secret engagement with Raoul.
Danielle Everett as Christine and John Bowles as Raoul
17.) Why So Silent?
In the middle of their party, the Phantom arrived costumed as the Red Death (which is a pretty wicked costume!) He told Firmin and Andre about the opera that he wrote in the course of six months - Don Juan Triumphant. He also told Christine that she will play the lead role. He grabbed Christine's engagement ring and said that she must sing for him. Then he vanished.
Hugh Panaro as Phantom
After this scene, Raoul asked Madame Giry what she knows about the Phantom. Rather reluctantly, she told him the story when she was still a young girl and how the Phantom escaped from a freak show and lived under the Paris Opera House ever since then.
18.) Notes/Twisted Every Way
Piangi and Carlotta complain because of how short Carlotta's part in Don Juan Triumphant. The Phantom (always trolling) sent letters again to Firmin and Andre about not being good managers of the opera. He also told Piangi to lose some weight and Carlotta to be a good actress. Raoul thought of a plan how to bring down the Phantom, using as Christine as the bait. She refused, scared, but Raoul insisted it was the only way.
Peter Cousens as Raoul and Maree Johnson as Christine
19.) Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Finally! My favorite song in this musical. This has got to be my favorite song because I really loved Christine's emotion while singing this. Christine sought guidance for her father so she visited him in his grave. PS: When I die, I want this song to be sung in my funeral.
Magdalene Minnaar as Christine
20.) Wandering Child/Bravo Monsieur
Because Christine was vulnerable when it comes to her father, the Phantom took this as an advantage to lure her to him. But just right before Christine falls into his trap, Raoul arrived and he was able to break the trance the Phantom set up to her. The Phantom turned to Raoul angrily as he threw fireballs at him (yep). Christine begged Raoul to leave so they left and the Phantom set fire to the cemetery out of frustration.
Unknown people at the Wandering Child scene
21.) Don Juan Triumphant
Raoul called the police and assigned them to different portions of the opera house and instructed them to shoot when they saw the Phantom. The opera was started by Carlotta and Piangi.
Germany production of Don Juan Triumphant
22.) The Point of No Return
Argh, this is actually a really good song. Christine arrived at the scene and the Phantom killed Piangi. He pretended to be him and they sung this duet. When the Phantom's hand was going up to Christine's body, she felt his ring on his fingers and immediately thought about the Phantom. Christine thought it was a coincidence, and continued with her acting. Then on purpose, she grabbed his face and she felt the mask under the hood. She tried to run away but the Phantom grabbed her hand and Christine pulled off the hood.
Hugh Panaro as Phantom and Mary Michael Patterson as Christine
23.) All I Ask of You (Reprise) 2
The Phantom told Christine that he loved her, and he offered her his ring. But Christine pulled off his mask, revealing his face. Out of anger, the Phantom grabbed Christine and they left the opera house. Raoul and the others found Piangi's dead body and he asked Madame Giry's guidance to the Phantom's lair.
Phantom gives Christine his ring
24.) Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer
Phantom led Christine back to his boat and to his lair. Meanwhile, the others are looking for him. Madame Giry helped Raoul to get to the Phantom's lair but couldn't be with him.
So, yeah, I don't have a picture for the last one. Sorry about that.
I guess the last original song is Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer. The Final Lair consists of reprises from the earlier songs like The Point of No Return, Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, etc. But the summary goes on.
Christine was forced to wear the wedding dress the mannequin wore the first time she's been here. The Phantom wanted her to marry him, but Christine refused. The Phantom said that his face might be on their way of their love, but he couldn't do anything about it. Christine felt sympathy towards the Phantom and she told him that it's not his face that is distorted, but his soul.
Michael Crawford as Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine
Then Raoul arrived and he pleaded the Phantom to let Christine go. But then while the two of them were not looking, the Phantom produced a Punjab lasso and began to tie it on Raoul's neck. He asked Christine to make a bargain. If she chooses to marry him, then he'd let Raoul go. If she doesn't, he will kill Raoul. Christine sobbed and sang this chilling line, "The tears I might have shed for your dark fate, grow cold and turned to tears of hate!"
Rebecca Caine as Christine
Christine (Sofia Escobar) protects Raoul from the Phantom
The Phantom told Christine angrily that she must make her own choice now. Then Christine sings, "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God, give me courage to show you, you are not alone!" Then she kisses him.
Christine kisses the Phantom
After this, the Phantom realized his mistake and he let Raoul go. He screamed at the both of them to leave him alone. Then he sung to his musical monkey, crying. Christine came back, returning him the ring. Before she left, the Phantom gently stopped her and said, "Christine, I love you." Christine cried and then left the Phantom to go back to Raoul. And while on the boat, they sing their love for each other while the Phantom watches them.
Scott Davies as Phantom
Then he sang his last line, "You alone can make my song take flight. It's over now the music of the night!" Then he climbed up to his chair and vanished. Meg Giry arrived and as she went up to the chair, the Phantom was gone and the only thing that was left was his mask.
THE END!
My goodness, this is very long. I'm sorry if I took a lot of your time. This is the end of my Phantom of the Opera blog. There will be in the future, but my next blog will be about Les Miserables! So to all of you who loves that musical, be prepared!
I'll see you in the next blog and good night!
PS: Keep your hands at the level of your eyes.
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