Mystery of the Phantom of the Opera

Many have heard of the tale of a disfigured man who creates havoc at an opera house all the while seeking the love of singer whose voice captivated the mysterious masked figure. Those who dared to defy the so-called Phantom of the Opera met untimely deaths. Gaston Leroux originally wrote the Phantom of the Opera in a series of magazine articles in 1909 and 1910. Since then, it has expanded into other mediums such as movies, theatrical productions, novels and soundtracks. Its mixture of romance and horror has captured the hearts and minds of many over the years.

Phantom secret revealed
Now a 100-year-old secret concerning the Phantom of the Opera has been brought to the surface. Deep within the walls of the Palais Garnier Opera House, a time capsule was discovered. A vault, or a time capsule if you will, had a plaque on it saying it was not to be opened until June 28, 2007. Also, a name – M. Alfred Clarke – was written on the plaque. The contents of the vault have opened a new facet on the mystery surrounding the Phantom of the Opera.

Find out more about the latest mystery surrounding the Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera has always been connected with mystery and romance. To read more about this exciting new discovery, check out Smithsonian Magazine’s article on their website. Read about it by visiting their main website located at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/.

National Archives, Cleopatra, Quincy Jones, Wrigley Field, Diane Arbus, the Phantom of the Opera

Phantom of the Opera and its Secret

The Phantom of the Opera is a wildly successful novel by Gaston Leroux and this novel has morphed into a variety of other media including a theatrical play, a movie, a soundtrack and more. Millions around the world are captivated by this sad love story and mysterious and intriguing characters. While the Phantom of the Opera is quite riveting, there is another mystery that also surrounds this great work of art that has recently been solved.

The Mystery of the Phantom of the Opera
Some may say that the real mystery of The Phantom of the Opera is the one that is buried deep below the Palais Garnier Opera House within a vault. The vault actually is a time capsule, not to be opened as per the instructions engraved on a plaque. The plaque on the time capsule states that it houses a secret; it includes a name- M. Alfred Clarke and a date- june 28, 2007. It should be noted that since this date has passed, the vault has been open revealing the contents of this time capsule.

Read More About the Phantom of the Opera Today
For those that are fascinated regarding the Mystery inside the vault of The Phantom of the Opera, the Smithsonian Magazine offers a fantastic article regarding this mystery. You can read it today by visiting our main website located at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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What's Inside the Phantom of the Opera's Vault?

One of the most infamous pieces of literature is the Phantom of the Opera. This incredible story has pulled at many heart strings and beyond being a wonderful novel; it has also gone on to be a blockbuster theatrical release, a movie and even a soundtrack. Throughout the world many have fallen in love with this deeply sad, romantic story. And while the real life basis of the story happened over a century ago, the mysteries of the Phantom of the Opera are still being uncovered today. For those that love the mystery and intrigue of the Phantom of the Opera, the Smithsonian Magazine offers a fascinating article on the subject.

What is the Mystery of the Phantom of the Opera?
The Phantom of the Opera has always been surrounded by mystery and intrigue. Its home the Palais Garnier (the Opera House in Paris, France) has held marvelous secrets during the past century. It should be noted that buried deep inside the Palais Garnier is a vault. While it is technically a vault, many that know of this secret actually call it a time capsule, because it is completely sealed off and no one was permitted to enter. What makes the vault such an intriguing mystery is that engraved into the vault is an inscription. It is a plaque that states the vault holds a secret. The inscription also states a name- M. Alfred Clark and a date- June 28, 2007.

Opening the Vault
Obviously, the wishes of M. Alfred Clark is that the vault should not be opened up until the date inscribed. However, on June 28th, 2007, the vault was indeed opened and to the surprise of many interesting artifacts were found. What started out as a loved of music and a simple vault filled with interesting artifacts, turned into a very sharp mystery causing many in the world of opera, music, theater and of course fans of the Phantom of the Opera to guess at what could possibly be uncovered.

Uncover the Secrets of the Phantom of the Opera
If you love mystery and intrigue, finding out what was uncovered inside the vault at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, France will definitely give you a thrill. The Smithsonian Magazine has an interesting article on the subject. To read it, visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Inside the Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most well known and beloved novels of the last century and while this book still remains popular, it has morphed into a theatrical release, a movie and even a soundtrack. For those that love opera and the intriguing mystery that is the Phantom of the Opera, there is a real life mystery that has recently been uncovered in the Palais Garnier (the Opera House in Paris, France).

The Vault in the Palais Garnier
One of the mysteries of our time has recently been uncovered. Buried deep beneath the Phantom of the Opera's Palais Garnier, there is a vault, most would call it a time capsule, because it was locked and included several artifacts from a marvelous time in opera. This time capsule was sealed shut and on the exterior there was an inscription, a name- M. Alfred Clark, the wishes that this capsule would not be opened and a date- June 28, 2007.

The Mystery is Uncovered
After 100 years, the time capsule buried beneath the Phantom of the Opera’s Palais Garnier was opened and guess what was buried inside. Finally the mystery was uncovered and what was found will shock you. To read more about the Phantom of the Opera and the contents of this time capsule, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Forbidden City, Phantom of the Opera, Glacier National Park, Quincy Jones, Diane Arbus, Parthenon

Mystery & The Phantom of the Opera

For those that love great literature, opera music, theater and even cinema, one story that continues to tug at the heartstrings of the global audience is The Phantom of the Opera. One of the most beloved novels and theater pieces ever conceived, the Phantom of the Opera has evolved into one of the most popular stories of the last century. If you are a fan of the Phantom of the Opera, than you will surely love the mystery that surrounds it.

The Mystery of the Phantom of the Opera
The Mystery of The Phantom of the Opera is deep down in the Palais Garnier Opera House in a vault. Most call it a time capsule, because it is sealed off and no one is allowed to enter. Written on the vault includes a plaque that states it houses a secret. It also includes a name- M. Alfred Clark and a date- June 28, 2007.

What Was Found Inside the Vault?
For those that are fascinated by this perplexing mystery and The Phantom of the Opera, the Smithsonian Magazine has an intriguing article on the subject. You can read it today by visiting the main site at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Phantom of the Opera, Quincy Jones, Glacier National Park, Cleopatra, Daredevil, Parthenon

A Mystery from the Phantom of the Opera

If you love theater, literature, cinema and of course opera one of the most beloved titles that has become extremely popular over the years is the Phantom of the Opera. This work of art has fascinated millions with the mystery of music, love and death. While the Phantom of the Opera is in essence fiction, there is a real life mystery tied in many ways to this work.

What is Buried Deep Below the Palais Garnier?
The real mystery of the Phantom of the Opera is that deep below the Palais Garnier opera house there is a vault- some might even call it a time capsule. This time capsule includes a plaque and written on this plaque it states that it houses a secret- it contains gramophone records, a name- M. Alfred Clark and a date.

This vault was not known to all mainly due to the fact that it was requested that it would not be open until 100 years have passed from the date that appears on the plaque- June 28, 2007. To find out what the Phantom of the Opera hid deep beneath the Palais Garnier, the Smithsonian Magazine has a fascinating article that reveals this incredible mystery. You can read it today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Phantom of the Opera, Cleopatra, Tattoo Art, Diane Arbus, Quincy Jones, National Archives

The Secret Vault & the Phantom of the Opera

For theater goers, musical lovers, those interested in literature and even cinema aficionados, one story full of love, romance, mystery and intrigue is the Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom of the opera first published by Gaston Leroux as a serialization in a French magazine did not at first grasp the imagination of the public, however years later it has become one of the most widely adapted pieces of fiction in the world.

While some say that the Phantom of the Opera is based on a true story, it is indeed still surrounded in mystery. In the early 1900’s Leroux spent a considerable amount of time in the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris and his work did revolve around what is believed to be a real opera ghost, however, with some skill and artistry, Leroux created one of the finest novels- a master work that has enthralled the public for decades.

The story of the Phantom of the Opera revolves around a deformed phantom and his romance with the love of his life Christine. Full of complex emotions and characters, the Phantom of the Opera is tragically tortured by his ugliness and ultimately rejected. This beauty and beast story has been adapted numerous times and while the story on its own is extremely effective, the setting of the Palais Garnier Opera House is cast perfectly.

Besides the mystery and intrigue found in the many theater and cinematic adaptations of
the Phantom of the Opera, there is a real mystery that has taken place at the Palais Garnier Opera House which the Smithsonian Magazine has written about. Deep within the opera house is a tomb so to speak, a sort of time capsule with a plaque. The plaque states that inside the room there resides gramophone records, it also includes a name- M. Alfred Clark and a date June 28, 1907. It was requested by Leroux that this vault not be open for 100 years.

For those that are intrigued to find out what was found in the vault, it should be noted that it was as mysterious as the beloved Phantom of the Opera musical. To read more about
the Phantom of the Opera, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Quincy Jones, Glacier National Park, Phantom of the Opera

The Morbid Phantom of the Opera

Music and theater lovers all over the world have shown their appreciation to one of the best musicals ever produced- the Phantom of the Opera. While this story tugs at our emotions during its performance, the melodramatic story which is full of feeling such as death, love and also mystery and music has a real life mystery surrounding it. If you love Phantom of the Opera, you will be intrigued by what was found buried deep within the Palais Garnier Opera House.

Buried deep within the Phantom of the Opera House one can say is a time capsule. It is even marked with a plaque. On the plaque it is written that the room contains gramophone records and includes a name- M. Alfred Clark and a date. Exactly what kind of gramophone records or other mysterious objects were buried in this vault in the Palais Garnier Opera House was not known for a long time due to the request that no one open the vault until 100 years pass from the date that appears on the plaque- June 28, 1907.

What was found in the vault was just as mysterious as the beloved Phantom of the Opera musical. Smithsonian Magazine has an exciting article on the incredible items saved for 100 years. To read it please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Quincy Jones, Glacier National Park, Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera: The Novel, the Musical, the Myster

When Gaston Leroux published his novel, the Phantom of the Opera, as a serialization in French magazine Le Gaulois, it took the novel some time to gain much notice. But when it did, this classic work became one of the most popular pieces of literature ever written… and one of the most widely adapted. After all, what’s more fascinating than a dramatic mystery/love story/tragedy that’s actually based on something that happened (sort of, anyway) in real life.

In the early 1900’s Leroux spent some time in the Paris Opera House, researching the events that took place there during the century previous. The basic story for the Phantom of the Opera came from the Opera Garnier in Paris, and revolved around a real-life mystery there of an “opera ghost.” That, combined with reading another work detailing the many mysteries of the Opera Garnier, inspired Leroux to write what would become his master work… a book that would enthrall audiences --of both the reading and viewing persuasion-- for decades to come.

The story revolves, of course, around the mysteriously deformed Phantom of the Opera and his love, Christine. It’s a story full of complex characters and complicated emotions, and the Phantom of the Opera is tortured by his ugliness and rejection. But while he may be strange and deformed and a little vicious, the phantom does know opera. With his help, Christine becomes one of the most incredible singers in the Opera Garnier. But even though he helps her out, the beautiful young opera singer doesn’t love the Phantom of the Opera in return… she loves her childhood sweetheart, a young man named Raoul-- a fact which becomes a big problem as the story goes on.

The Famous Musical

The Phantom of the Opera has been adapted more times than you’d want to count. The first adaptation (now lost) is believed to have been filmed in 1916, starring Swedish and Norwegian actors. The most recent was a 2004 film directed by Joel Schumacher. But the most famous adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera is and will always be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s incredible musical. The Phantom of the Opera musical premiered in London in 1986, and as of January, 2006 became the longest running Broadway production of all time.

There's plenty of mystery wrapped up in the Phantom of the Opera story-- the real one, and the fictional. To learn more about the man behind the Phantom of the Opera and about the music he loved, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

The Mystery of the Phantom of the Opera

You have probably read, heard about or even seen the wonderful musical The Phantom of the Opera. This musical mixes a melodramatic story full of mystery, music, love and death. Taking place in France, at the Palais Garnier (a famous opera house), this story invites intrigue. This intrigue comes in the form of phonographic records that were buried deep within the Opera’s house.

This room in the opera house (a sort of time capsule) was marked with a plaque. It was written on the plaque that the room contained grampophone records and had a name-M.Alfred Clark and a date June 28, 1907. It was requested that this room remained sealed for 100 years. Exactly what kind of gramophone records and other secrets of The Phantom of the Opera were buried in this room were a mystery, however the request was followed and for 100 years no one dare enter the room and unearth the mystery.

What was found in the time capsule of The Phantom of the Opera was incredible and after 100 years finally revealed. For those that love this work of art, music and passion, there is a mystery that is dying to be unearthed. For the answer of what was uncovered, please visit Smithsonian Magazine’s main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

Quincy Jones, Glacier National Park, Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

One of the most beloved Broadway musical and novel, The Phantom of the Opera has fascinated many with its mystery of music love and death. While many focus on this incredible story, many opera lovers were surprised to find that the famous death of The Phantom of the Opera hid a real truth. There were phonograph records buried deep below the Palais Garnier.

The truth of The Phantom of the Opera was 24- 100 year old phonograph records that were found stored safely within two large metal urns. These records have been buried since 1907 and contained the long dead voices of some of the world’s most famous operatic singers including Patti, Melba, Calve and Caruso.

While many Phantom of the Opera enthusiasts were stunned, not all were surprised by the discovery. It was known for a very long time that there was a long sealed room many stories below the Palais Garnier. This “time capsule” was not to be opened until 2007- a request that was respected by the opera.

In addition to some of these treasures being opened in 2007, in March of 2008, another metal urn was opened. Inside the urn was another batch of breathtaking recordings filled with many of the best operatic singers the world has ever known. To learn more about The Phantom of the Opera records, which will soon be digitally recorded and made available to all, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com

Glacier National Park, The Phantom of the Opera, Diane Arbus, Cleopatra

The 100 Year Old Voices of The Phantom of the Opera

In 1910, Gaston Leroux wrote the following words in his dark-and-famous novel, The Phantom of the Opera: "It will be remembered that, later, when digging in the substructure of the Opéra, before burying the phonographic records of the artist's voice, the workmen laid bare a corpse."

This simply sounds like a dramatic moment in a melodramatic story: The Phantom of the Opera, full of mystery, music, love, and death. So music lovers all over the world were recently stunned to learn that the famous death of The Phantom of the Opera hid a real truth. There actually were phonograph records buried deep below the Palais Garnier (the Opéra). Twenty-four 100-year-old phonograph records were found carefully packed inside two large metal urns. These were the long-dead voices of some of the world’s most famous operatic singers: Mebla, Patti, Calvé, Caruso.

Not all of the music world, however, was surprised by the discovery. Some already knew about the long-sealed room several stories beneath The Phantom of the Opera's famous theatre. This room was a time-capsule, marked with a plaque: “The room in which are contained the gramophone records,” a name “M.Alfred Clark” and a date, “June 28, 1907.” The room was not to be opened until 2007-- a request that the opera company intended to respect. A room with a mystery to be solved.

The question was, who was Alfred Clark, and why did he place a “time capsule” inside the Palais Garnier? Clark, apparently, ran the Gramophone Company’s Paris offices-- and was a leader in phonograph discs. It was clear that, inside the sealed room were records… very old records of the beautiful voices from The Phantom of the Opera's famous theatre. And that they needed protection and restoration.

And while the opera company was determined to respect the wishes of Clark and wait to unseal the room, it was opened two years later by the opera company’s technical supervisor. Inside were found a metal urn containing 100-year-old records from The Phantom of the Opera's height. Still, the opera company wished to respect the time limit placed on Clark’s gift, and transferred the urns to the museum to await the time to open them.

One of these mysterious urns was opened in March of 2008. Sure enough, inside the urn were found recordings of some of the most famous voices in opera. To learn more about The Phantom of the Opera records, which will soon be digitally recorded and made available to all, visit the Smithsonian Magazine Website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/