The Phantom of the Opera

02.02.2010

A new production with Deborah Sasson

The Phantom of the Opera or using its original name, ‘Le fantôme de l’Opéra’ by Gaston Leroux, will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary. When it was first published in 1912, the novel hardly attracted any readers, whereas today, after it has been made into films and, above all, musicals, the novel has gained considerably more attention. The best known stage version is most likely that of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

In 2006, the film music composer and BBC orchestra director Peter Moss created a new version which, after more than 300 performances in all German speaking countries, can easily be called one of Germany’s most successful tour musicals. The readers of an independent Musical magazine voted it as the best tour production of 2007/2008.
The leading role of Christine is brilliantly sung by nobody less than the Boston-born soprano, Deborah Sasson, who won the Echo Classic Award and has performed on all important stages worldwide. With her powerful, multi-faceted voice she projects her repertoire of classical music, opera and musicals strongly and convincingly. The Phantom is mimed by Axel Olzinger, well known from ‘Grease‘ and his role as Count Krolock in the ‘Dance of the Vampires’.

Approximately 60 people are involved in this production which offers a contemporary version of scary yet beautiful scenes, convivial elements and amusing gags. This is an impressive, gripping and empathic blend of both the story and the music shaped into a coherent whole. Technically perfect stage effects and a sophisticated interchange of transformations and special effects round off the production.

The story: The events take place at the Paris Opera. The female soloist Carlotta is taken ill and the chorus girl Christine (Deborah Sasson) has to stand in for her. She sings Puccini’s ‘O mio babbino caro’ so clearly and perfectly that one beings to wonder how this was possible, with good reason: The ‘Phantom‘ has taught Christine to sing but expects her love in return. However, Christine’s heart belongs to Count Raoul de Chagny. The new opera star is torn between two men, her common sense says ‘Phantom‘ whereas her heart leans towards Raoul. The rest is well known: The chandelier crashes, Christine rips off the Phantom’s mask, is horrified and at the same time she feels pity…

To ease the tragedy of this love story, quotations and opera arias are gently interwoven and the audience is soon left without a doubt: This new production is brilliant.

Performance: 2 February 2010
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: congress|graz Stefaniensaal

Tickets: available in oeticket sales offices, Raiffeisen Banks, oeticket center Ruefa Lounge 0316/716666, Central Ticket Office, MediaMarkt, Libro, SFZ, oeticket-Trafikplus tobacconists as well as online by clicking the above O-Ticket button.