The story behind ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is truly classic

I’ve always enjoyed the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, especially “The Phantom of the Opera.” But I never really understood the story behind the music. So I finally managed to snap up a copy of the Gaston Leroux book.

I’m happy to report that there is an understandable version of this classic novel. “The only complete … modern Americanized translation available,” writes translator Lowell Blair.

Here’s how the story goes: Christine Daae is filling in for the star of the production “Faust” at the Paris Opera House. Opera critics say that Christine’s singing is beautiful and stunning.

Around this same time, she reunites with her childhood sweetheart, Raoul de Chagny.

Raoul discovers that Christine is under the influence of a mysterious “Angel of Music.” On several occasions this angel has taken Christine to a mysterious underground world.

During one of these excursions, Christine discovers that her angel is really the Phantom of the Opera, a spirit who has haunted the Paris Opera House for years. The Phantom is obsessed with Christine.

The Phantom causes trouble for the new managers of the Paris Opera House by demanding that certain seats be left empty during the performances and instigating anonymous practical jokes. The managers, Armand Montcharmin and Firmin Richard, write off the Phantom but grow increasingly aware of his presence.

Later in the story, the Phantom murders a woman, brings down a chandelier and kidnaps Christine, for good.

Raoul and a man known only as The Persian finally rescue Christine. But they encounter plenty of bizarre opera dwellers along the way.

There aren’t many “classics” that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But “The Phantom of the Opera” is one of them. Leroux writes as though he has uncovered proof that the Phantom of the Opera really existed. In some parts of the book, he adds little footnotes that say the Paris Opera House management requested that he give no further detail about a specific situation.

Who knows? Maybe there really WAS (is?) a Phantom. It certainly seems believable after reading this book.

“The Phantom of the Opera” is an incredible Gothic tale of murder and obsession. It’s horrifying to read but impossible to put down.