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