Le Fantôme de l'Opéra
Le Fantôme de l'Opéra was published in France in 1909.
- The story first began as a series, running from September 23rd, 1909 to January 8th, 1910.
- Upon its initial publication, the story was not popular.
- The novel itself is often said to be overshadowed by its theatrical and film adapataions.
Highlights of the Novel
You know from reading the novel in class that the Phantom, a genius named Erik, falls in love with a chorus girl at the opera, Christine, and instructs her in music as "the angel of music," hidden from sight. The Phantom is a genius: he is an architect, a scholar, a mason, a musician, a composer, and a magician. He blackmails and murders to try to make Christine's star rise, and watches her fall in love with another, while also holding both tenderness and fear of him. Think about all of the discussion elements from class while you review the other media adaptations of this story, on this page. Some specifics you might keep in mind: How is Erik described? How is his relationship with Christine portrayed? How does each adaptation end?