Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Das Phantom der Oper (Phantom of the Opera)

Experience the timeless allure of *The Phantom of the Opera* like never before in this stunning film concert event! Celebrating the film’s 100th anniversary, this special presentation, originally a highlight of the Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, brings Rupert Julian’s 1925 silent classic to vibrant life. Step back into the shadowy depths of the Paris Opera House, where a mysterious phantom lurks, manipulating events and orchestrating a desperate plan to claim the heart of young singer Christine. When she’s granted a coveted soprano role and destined for stardom, the phantom’s terror escalates, plunging Christine and the opera into a web of intrigue. But Christine’s affections lie with nobleman Raoul, sparking a perilous confrontation that culminates in the phantom’s dramatic kidnapping of the young talent into the opera house’s labyrinthine catacombs. This faithful adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s beloved 1910 novel stars the iconic Lon Chaney – a performance so transformative that director Julian declared, “Lon Chaney – or it’s not doable.” Witness the chilling unmasking scenes that captivated audiences upon the film’s original release, now presented in a beautifully restored print featuring the original Technicolor sequences with their remarkable color effects. Adding to the magic is Roy Budd's mesmerizing 1993 score, a late Romantic masterpiece that brilliantly captures the film’s morbid romanticism and haunting atmosphere. Introduced by a captivating organ, Budd's music perfectly evokes the phantom’s obsession with the fiery Carlotta and the fragile, oppressive nature of their relationship. A truly extraordinary cultural project in partnership with the European Film Philharmonic and generously supported by the Sparkasse Mecklenburg-Schwerin Foundation, this is an unforgettable evening of film, music, and theatrical spectacle.