The Phantom of the Opera

The legend of the Phantom of the Opera, written by Gaston Leroux (1868-1927), portrays the mysterious ghost who roams in the catacombs and in the maze of cellar vaults of the Paris Opera House. Under the influence of the Belle Opoque of Paris during the change of the century, Gaston Leroux who once held jobs as a lawyer, court reporter and theater critic, was soon to become the future writer of the famous novelette "le Fantome de l’Opera" which was publicized in 1911. Leroux was convinced that this ghost of the opera really existed in flesh and blood and was not the superstitious fantasy of the opera house employees. The first film debut was in 1925. Since then, the mystery of the Phantom of the Opera has drawn filmmakers to produce it over and over again. Last, but not least, the Phantom of the Opera gained world recognition through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, that premiered in London in 1986.