The British media once said: "If you only watch one musical in your life, then it should be "The Phantom of the Opera"."

"The Phantom of the Opera" can be said to be an unparalleled shocker. This is a masterpiece that tells the story of a poignant love and redemption that took place at the Paris Opera House. Since its premiere at Her Majesty's Theater in London on October 9, 1986, "The Phantom of the Opera" has been one of the most popular and enduring musicals in London's West End. It is said that "the West End cannot be called the West End without the Phantom." for the West End”.

*London’s West End (West End): a world-class theater center as famous as New York’s Broadway.

One night not long ago, I rewatched the "25th Anniversary Edition of The Phantom of the Opera" recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2011. The grand lineup, gorgeous scenery and majestic music are so exciting that you can feel its shock through the screen, as if you were there in person.

I really like the heroine Christina in the 25th anniversary version, played by American musical actor Sierra Boggess. Sierra's performance is amazing. Sometimes she is innocent and innocent, sometimes with tears in her eyes. Her smile, every move, and every gesture are dramatic.

In Act 2, Scene 5, the tense violin shifts the scene to the grave of Christina’s father. Her father had promised to send a musical angel to guard Christina. In this dark and desolate place, Christina sang "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" (Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again), crying out her deep miss for her father, as well as her inner worries and panic, hoping to get her father's soul. help. This song is soul-stirring and touching. Behind the classic arias lies the deep love between the father and daughter in the play.

After the performance, those classic melodies were still echoing and circling in my mind for a long time... The curtain call on the 25th anniversary was also very gorgeous, with endless surprises, which made the audience envious.

Many songs in "The Phantom of the Opera" have now become musical classics. Whether you have seen this musical or not, you must have heard some of the melodies:

Think of Me Think of me

Angel of Music 音Angel

The Phantom of The Opera Phantom of the Opera

The Music of the Night

All I Ask of You Love is the only thing I ask for

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again I hope you will reappear at this moment

The Point of No Return< /p>

However, due to the epidemic, this musical that has created countless miracles has been canceled or postponed one after another since March last year, until the theater was forced to close. The production team also issued an open letter announcing that "Phantom of the Opera" will "suspend indefinitely."

Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer of "The Phantom of the Opera", recorded a video in an empty Queen's Theater last September to introduce the current situation of the theater. He said in the video: "Theatre is about the live experience, and each experience is different for the actors and the audience. It is not like a movie theater, where a projectionist shows a movie...The actors in the theater must It's got to be rehearsed, and it's got to be safe."

At the end of the video, Weber said with hope and a bit of despair: "The Phantom will definitely come back to the theater. .....Who knows?"

Maybe "Music Angel" also needs a rest, and the short ending is for a better return.

What is gratifying is that "The Phantom of the Opera" is back with a brand new look on July 27 this year! The "35th Anniversary Performance" also arrived as scheduled in London's West End in October. Although it did not have as gorgeous a curtain call as the 25th anniversary, it was still very exciting for Phantom fans.

Postscript:

The first time I heard "Phantom of the Opera" was when I was in college. I accidentally bought the 1986 London premiere version at a video store. Although I was not familiar with this musical at that time, I was deeply attracted by the melody in it. I hid in bed every night, put on my headphones, and listened to it over and over again until I fell asleep...

The End