a musical, the fundamental point is the music.
Almost all the melodies which appears in The Phantom of the Opera, can be
heard several times during the whole show: the composer plays with the music,
not only to express the beauty of his composition, but also to show the audience
that every melody has its own meaning and each time it repeat itself,
this meaning will be the same.
That way, public can associate a music with a feeling or an action.
One example of this theory is the gorgeous music from the Overture, composed
almost completely by organ (we could say it's a tocata).
This music could be considered as the main theme of the Phantom: when he
perpetrate a disaster caused by his fury, we will be able to hear this melody,
which during all the musical will be a leit-motiv (with some variations
sometimes).
This music will appear in scenes like: the falling of the chandelier, Red Death,
second unmasking, Joseph Buquet death...
They're always negative situations united to the protagonist, which reveal his
darker side. It's, in conclusion, a gloomy and dark music, analogue to Phantom's
life.
The Angel of Music is one of the most simple melodies of the musical, however
it has a symbol very important which help us to understand Christine.
This melody represents the innocence of the young soprano, who waits patiently
the arriving of the Angel of Music, promised by his father.
The instruments used for this melody allude directly to this meaning: sweet
violins, soft harps...
Christine's father died when she was a child and the tragedy of his dead marked
her forever, transforming her in a helpless girl who still believed in the promise
of his father: send her the Angel of Music.
The violin can be heard since the first part of the song showing us the memories
of Christine towards her father.
This melody will appear when the innocence of the young woman be shown:
Wandering Child, the final scene, etc.
Another example of the meaning of music can be found in Music of the Night.
Trembling violins accompany a captivating Phantom who tries to infuse
Christine the reliance necessary to touch without fear his cold hands or look
with no suspicion his white mask, as well as make her understand the night is a
positive element plenty of sensibility.
In this song, the Phantom guards all his hopes. The night is very deep inside
him, is part of him, but it's also his enemy. That's why, when Christine takes his
mask off for the second time, the lyrics of Music of the Night changes into
another very different, but with the same melody:
Down once more to the dungeons of my black despair
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind
Down that path into darkness,
deep as hell!
In Point of no Return, Don Juan's Spanish legend is really present.
The seduction, symbol of this character is the fundamental element here and the
lyrics reflects the reality of both protagonists:
Prima Donna, All I ask of you, Masquerade...all the songs have its own melody
which posses its own meaning.
Please, don't take this text without my permission.
