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