Roméo et Juliette
The Opéra de la Bastille in Paris (the Garnier's sister venue) is currently putting on a production of Gounod's opera "Roméo et Juliette" that has some serious Phantom vibes going on!
"Roméo et Juliette" is one of the major operas that are referenced in Gaston Leroux's novel. It is cited in two scenes: In Chapter 2 "The New Marguerite", Christine sings some pieces from the opera, including the final death scene ("Seigneur! Seigneur! Pardonnez-nous!", which are the last words of the opera). But the most memorable scene is probably when in Chapter 10, Erik comes for Christine singing the wedding-night song, "Nuit d'hyménée", from which the line "La destinée t'enchaîne a moi sans retour" (originally "m'enchaîne a toi") is quoted three times as Christine follows Erik through the mirror and leaves a baffled Raoul behind in her dressing-room.
For the staging in this new production, the grand staircase of the Palais Garnier has been recreated and serves as the central setpiece for the entire action. The opera also opens with a masked-ball scene, and even the costumes are reminiscent of the "white, black, red" colour scheme of the masked ball scene in Leroux.
Other design elements of the Palais Garnier - even the balcony scene takes place on a balcony that looks just like the ones in the Garnier's entrance hall!
I am super happy to see one of the "Leroux operas" being staged in such a Phantom-y fashion! Too bad I will not be able to see it :((...
