The musical, The Phantom of the Opera was, without a doubt, a truly phenomenal masterpiece of the late 20th century. It was both remarkable in its musical makeup and format and marvelous in its popular audience appeal.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is the creator of this immensely unique, important musical theater work. An English composer, he is best known for his musical theater creations for stage and film.
The Composer: Lloyd Webber was born in South Kensington, London in March 1948, to musical parents. His father, William Lloyd Webber, was an organists, composer and director of the London College of Music. His mother, Jean Johnstone, was a piano teacher and violinist. Obviously, Lloyd Webber was exposed to music at a very early age. He studied piano, organ, violin, and French horn. At nine years of age he was proficient on organ, assisting his father at his performances.
His education included the Westminster School, Magdalen College, Oxford University and the Royal College of Music. He did not finish at the university, as his early fascination with musical theater was so strong, he left to concentrate on composing. By the time he left school, Lloyd Webber had already written nine musicals. It was obvious to him that he didn’t need any more schooling to be a successful composer.
He was married three times; with his first and third wives he fathered five children. His second marriage, the most famous one, was to the brilliant soprano, Sara Brightman in 1984. They had no children and at times it was a difficult relationship. He envisioned the role of Christine Daae, in The Phantom of the Opera, for Brightman, and wrote the role for her. She was the first of many Christine’s and undoubtably the most famous.
Knighthood and Politics: Lloyd Webber has had quite a few titles bestowed on him. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992 as “Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.”
In 1997 to the present, the titles “Lord” and “Right Honorable” were added to his name. From 1997 to 2017 he was a member of the House of Lords. Being a strong supporter of the conservative party, he sat on the conservative side bench, when he infrequently attended the House of Lords sessions.
Awards & Honors: Lloyd Webber’s awards, honors and accolades are far too numerous to mention them all, however a few of the most significant are certainly worth citing. He has won three Grammy’s, six Tony’s, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, plus an Oscar in 1996, for best original song from the musical, Evita.
In addition, he was inducted into The Song Writers Hall of Fame. He won the Brit Award and is a Fellow in the British Academy of songwriters, composers and authors. Lloyd Webber was also honored with the Kennedy Center Award and the Laurence Olivier Award. He is only one of very few people to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and an Oscar; quite a feat for anyone to accomplish.
His Music: The most widely known and famous shows are: Jesus Christ Superstar in 1970, Evita in 1976, Cats in 1981 and the blockbuster, Phantom of the Opera in 1986. With the opening of the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar (composed when he was a mere 21 years of age), his fame became meteoric!
Lloyd Webber has written in many forms and genres of music including a Latin Requiem Mass in 1985. Also, many classical style pieces, rock, and jazz. He is truly a musical renaissance genius, composing and arranging music.
Lloyd Webber is an impresario, owning several theaters in London. Financially he is most likely the richest composer ever, in the field of music.
The London Sunday Times estimates his net worth at $1.2 billion! He is known as the most successful composer of our time.
Phantom of the Opera: Is Broadway’s longest running show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. The show has been popular since opening in 1986. In some venues, tickets are very hard to get and pricey. “The Phantom became the most successful, highest grossing entertainment event of all time,” wrote Steve Shelokhonov, in an article on the production.
The musical is based on a novel by French writer, Gaston Leroux. The novel was first published in 1909. Ideas for the story came from historical events that occurred at the Paris Opera House in the 19th century. The story centers around a lovely soprano, Christine Daae. Raised in the opera house after her father dies, she is the object of obsession by a facially-disfigured and mentally-troubled musical genius who lives in the bowels of the Paris Opera House. Elements of adventure, comedy, romance, and tragedy are cleverly woven into the plot.
Songs that appear in the show are: Think of Me, Angel of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of the Night, Prima Dona, All I Ask of You, Masquerade, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and The Point of No Return.
The music is engaging, combining excitement, romance, unrequited love, and frightening scenes; it is endearing with both superb drama and beautifully composed music. Most people consider this show unforgettable. Lloyd Webber is quoted as saying, “The crashing of the chandelier in The Phantom is the most theatrical moment I ever conceived.”
The Phantom has been produced in different languages in 20 countries using the same staging, direction, costumes and stage sets. It is so popular it is known virtually all over the world. It’s musical score, on DVD recordings alone, have brought in many millions of dollars over the years.
My wife, Jan, was so enamored by the production, she has seen it in seven different cities, the first one, shortly after it opened in London. “The music and the drama are so touching and beautiful, one never tires of seeing it,” Jan said. A young lady waiting in the ticket line in London said she had seen it 36 times, and she couldn’t wait to see it again. That says it all!
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