The Phantom of the Opera facts for kids
Cover of the first edition
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| Author | Gaston Leroux |
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| Original title | 'Le Fantôme de l’Opéra' |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Genre | Horror |
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Publication date
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1910 |
| Media type | |
The Phantom of the Opera (French: Le Fantôme de l’Opéra) is a famous French novel. It was written by Gaston Leroux. The book first came out in 1910. An English version was published just one year later.
This story is about a mysterious person. He lives hidden in the Paris Opera House. He falls in love with a young singer named Christine Daaé. The Phantom tries to help her become a star. But he does it in very strange and sometimes scary ways.
Contents
About the Story
The story of The Phantom of the Opera takes place in Paris, France. Much of it happens inside the grand Palais Garnier, which is the Paris Opera House. This building has many secret passages and hidden rooms. The Phantom uses these to move around unseen.
The main characters are Erik, who is the Phantom, and Christine Daaé. Christine is a talented but unknown singer. The Phantom teaches her to sing beautifully. He believes she is his student. He wants her to sing only for him.
The story also includes Raoul, a young nobleman. He is a childhood friend of Christine. Raoul and Christine fall in love. This makes the Phantom very jealous. The book is a mix of mystery, romance, and a bit of horror.
From Book to Stage and Screen
The story of The Phantom of the Opera has been told in many ways. It is most famous as a musical.
The Musical
A very popular musical was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It first opened in 1986. This musical became one of the longest-running shows ever. It has been seen by millions of people around the world. The musical is known for its amazing music and stage effects.
The 2004 Movie
The musical was also made into a movie in 2004. This film brought the stage show to a wider audience. It allowed more people to experience the story.
Other Adaptations
The Phantom's story has been made into movies many times.
- One of the earliest films was in 1925. It starred Lon Chaney as the Phantom.
- Another movie came out in 1943. It featured Claude Rains in the main role.
- A 1962 version starred Herbert Lom.
- There was also a different kind of movie in 1974 called The Phantom of the Paradise.
- The story has even been adapted for television.
The famous band Iron Maiden also made a song called "Phantom of the Opera." It is on their first album, Iron Maiden.
Images for kids
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Phantom of the Opera Performance on Broadway
