Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Music Box
Contents
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera, we’ve created a special music box. This limited edition piece is sure to be a cherished addition to any fan’s collection.
Introduction
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, the Phantom of the Opera, Royal Doulton has released this special musical box. The lid of the box is decorated with an image of the Phantom and his beloved Christine, while the sides feature scenes from the Paris Opera House. The box plays the “Phantom of the Opera” theme song, and is sure to be a cherished memento for any fan of the musical.
The History of the Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart. The book was originally published in 1911 by Gaston Leroux. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1988, and the first production outside of the United States was in 1991 in Sydney, Australia. The musical has been produced in many different languages and has been performed in over 150 cities in 27 countries.
The Beginnings
The Phantom of the Opera has been a beloved story for over a century. The tale of a deformed composer who lives in the catacombs of an opera house and falls in love with a beautiful singer has captivated audiences around the world.
The story was first adapted into a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux in 1910. The novel was then adapted into several films, most notably the 1925 film starring Lon Chaney Sr. as the Phantom. This film is often credited with popularizing the story and making it one of the most well-known tales in pop culture.
In 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the story into a hugely successful musical. The musical debuted on Broadway, where it quickly became a smash hit. It has since been staged in countries all over the world and has been seen by millions of people.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a special music box was released. This music box plays the iconic theme song from the musical, “The Phantom of the Opera”. It is a beautiful piece that is sure to be cherished by fans of the story for years to come.
The Composer
French composer Georges Bizet is best known for his opera Carmen, but he also wrote several other operas, including Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) and La jolie fille de Perth (The Pretty Girl of Perth). His final work, however, was the opera La traviata, based on the play by Alexandre Dumas.
Bizet began working on Carmen in 1873, and the opera premièred in Paris on March 3, 1875. Unfortunately, Bizet did not live to see the success of his work—he died just three months after the premiere, at the age of 36.
Carmen was not an instant success—in fact, it was booed at its first performance. However, it gradually grew in popularity and is now one of the most popular operas in the world.
The First Performances
The first performances of The Phantom of the Opera took place at the Palais Garnier in Paris on Monday, January 5, 1903. The opera was not an immediate success and had a lukewarm reception from both audiences and critics. However, after a few weeks, the production began to gain popularity, and by the end of its run in March 1903, it was a hit.
The Phantom of the Opera went on to have a successful run in London, opening at Her Majesty’s Theatre on October 9, 1903. The production was an enormous success, playing to packed houses for over six months. After its London run, the opera toured throughout Europe and was seen by millions of people.
Today, The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most popular musicals in the world and has been performed thousands of times in hundreds of cities across six continents.
The Success
The Phantom of the Opera was a resounding success. It ran for 7 years and completely redefined what a Broadway musical could be. The music, the staging, the special effects were all new and had never been seen before on the Broadway stage. It was a show that was truly ahead of its time.
The Music Box
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, The Phantom of the Opera, The Bradford Exchange is proud to present the officially licensed Phantom of the Opera Music Box. Handcrafted of Heirloom Porcelain®, this music box plays the haunting melody of “The Phantom of the Opera” and is adorned with the iconic mask of the Phantom.
What is a Music Box?
A music box or musical box is an automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (notches) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique. Some of the more complex boxes also have rotating barrels and multiple tuned steel combs.
The original snuff boxes were tiny containers which could fit into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. These were used to hold perfume, not snuff. The music boxes could be small enough to be carried in a pocket—and some were—but they were also made for larger desktop display.
A very early music box was exhibited by Henry Borwright at The Great Exhibition in London in 1851. This music box played eight airs, one after the other, from pinned cylinders.
The Design
The Music Box is a beautiful, hand-crafted replica of the iconic prop from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. It is made with great attention to detail, and features a golden finish and delicate features. The lid of the box opens to reveal a miniature replica of the chandelier from the opera house, and when opened, the music box plays the melody of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
This limited edition music box is a must-have for any fan of the Phantom of the Opera, and makes a perfect gift for any occasion.
The Mechanism
The mechanism of the music box is quite simple. It consists of a cylinder with a series of raised pins arranged in a spiral. The cylinder is connected to a winding key, and when the key is turned, the cylinder turns as well. As it turns, the pins interact with a metal comb, causing the teeth of the comb to vibrate. The vibrations create the sound that we hear coming from the music box.
The Phantom of the Opera Music Box
The Phantom of the Opera music box is a beautiful and unique piece that would make a great gift for any fan of the musical. The music box plays the iconic melody of “The Phantom of the Opera” and is a must-have for any collector.
The Design
The music box is rectangular in shape and has a hinged lid that opens to reveal a small compartment inside. The lid is decorated with a scene from the musical, “The Phantom of the Opera”, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The scene shows the Phantom wearing his trademark mask and holding a red rose in front of his face. The music box plays the song, “Music of the Night” when wound up, and makes a great collectible for fans of the musical.
The Mechanism
The music box plays “The Phantom of the Opera” theme song. It is made of high quality materials- pewter, zinc alloy, and glass. The glass dome is 3″ in diameter and 3.5″ tall.
It is a beautiful piece that would make a great gift for any Phantom of the Opera fan, or a nice addition to your own home décor.
Conclusion
The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary music box is a beautiful piece that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the classic musical. The box is made of high quality materials and is a great addition to any Phantom of the Opera fan’s collection. The music box plays the Phantom of the Opera theme song, and the lid is adorned with a replica of the famous chandelier from the musical. The box is also lined with red velvet, making it a luxurious and elegant piece.
