1) I would like to know why Les Misérables ( a popular musical ) is such a good story for a musical.
* Do not need to be too detailed
2) Phantom of the Opera
- When was it written?
- What is the story about?
- Who wrote and composed it?
- When was it first performed?
- What are some of the famous songs from this musical?
Thank You.
Thank you for your enquiry.
Like all great stories ever told, there are elements of history, struggles of war, good vs. evil, friendship and most importantly, love, in Les Misérables. Before it became a hit musical, it was a novel written by French author Victor Hugo. Its story is set in the 19th century and spans 20 years. The story focuses on the struggles of several characters, of which its protagonist is ex-convict Jean Valjean, who seeks to redeem his wayward past by doing good. He takes in the daughter of a dying prostitute, Cosette, but is haunted by his past in the form of an obsessive police inspector called Javert. The story traces his struggle through the French revolution to his eventual demise of old age.
The book was first published in 1862 and the musical opened in 1980 in Paris.
You can refer to the following web resources for more on Les Miz:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_%28musical%29
- http://www.lesmis.com (official website of the musical)
- http://www.napoleonic-literature.com/AgeOfNapoleon/E-Texts/Miserables.html (script for stage)
- http://www.answers.com/topic/les-mis-rables-musical?cat=entertainment
(last accessed 11 June 08)
*For the above weblinks, you are advised to click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.
You can also refer to the following book:
Title Les Misérables : history in the making / Edward Behr.
Author Behr, Edward, 1926-
Publisher London : Pavilion Books, 1996.
Call no.: 792.642 BEH -[ART]
As to your second question on the musical Phantom of the Opera, here are the answers to the questions you asked:
- When was it written?
The novel by Gaston Leroux was first published in 1911. The silent horror film was released in 1925. The musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber was first staged in 1986
[sources: (i) "Phantom of the Opera, The," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008. 11 June 2008.
- What is the story about?
It is about a ghost that inhabited a Paris opera house and his obsession with a young singer, Christine Daaé. The story is based on real events related to the Paris Opera House.
- Who wrote and composed it?
The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe.
- When was it first performed?
The musical opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on October 9, 1986
- What are some of the famous songs from this musical?
Angel of Music; Phantom of the Opera; The Music of the Night; All I Ask of You; Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Please refer to the following resources for more on the Phantom of the Opera
- http://library.ebonline.com/eb/article-9047888 (about Gaston Leroux)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_of_the_opera
- http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761598764/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera.html
- http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefEdList.aspx?refid=210003187
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_%281986_musical%29
(last accessed 11 June 08)
*For the above weblinks, you are advised to click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.
You can also refer to the following books:
Title The phantom of the Opera / Gaston Leroux ; introduction by Anne Perry.
Author Leroux, Gaston, 1868-1927.
Other Title Fantôme de l'Opéra English
Publisher New York : Modern Library, 2002.
Call no.: LER
Title The complete Phantom of the opera / George Perry ; research by Jane Rice ; special photography by Clive Barda.
Author Perry, George C., 1935-
Publisher London : Pavilion, 1987
782.8107 PER -[ART]
You can check the availability of the books listed above by going to this website http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg/
We hope that the above has been useful to you.
Thank you for using the ASK! service.
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