I was already quite familiar with the Angel of Music because when I stayed with my grandparents my Nan and I would listen to it on repeat (on cassette) while we played cards late at night. I finally understood why my Nan loved musicals so much. My school’s music classes were going on an interstate excursion to see the musical and a few of us who weren’t studying music as an elective managed to find a way to tag along. I first saw The Phantom of the Opera in 1992.

It’s just brought back so many wonderful memories! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Comics for the opportunity to fall in love with this graphic novel.Įverything that is underground belongs to him!Īpologies in advance for making this review more about my first and favourite musical than the graphic novel I just read. Since that’s not currently possible, I’m going to do the next best thing … reread this graphic novel and indulge in some nostalgia. It made me wish I could walk out the door and straight into a performance of the musical. I’m always going to be biased where the Phantom is concerned but I absolutely adored this adaptation. I also have all of the piano sheet music and yes, I do intend to finally get around to mastering at least one of the songs one day. While not many of my childhood belongings followed me into adulthood, I still have two Phantom keyrings, the coffee mug where the Phantom’s face glows when you add hot water (it still works!) and the program I bought in Melbourne in the 90’s. We became so familiar with the entire musical that we’d recite it to each other as it was playing. My Nan and I listened to the double cassette tape (back in the 90’s here) so many times I’m surprised we didn’t destroy it we’d get up and dance, with much abandon but little rhythm, around the room each time a new song began. It was like being able to sneak a peek behind the scenes and it was breathtaking.

I also got to watch the conductor do their thing and all of the musicians warming up prior to the performance. It was even more exhilarating the second time I witnessed the chandelier fall, in Sydney many years later, as our seats were directly beneath its arc. I’d never imagined that a musical could be so immersive we gasped and pointed each time we saw the Phantom appear off stage and I’m not embarrassed to admit that I really thought that chandelier was going to hurt someone. I spent much of the 90’s obsessed with this musical, having travelled to Melbourne for the best school excursion ever.

Phantom of the opera book illustrations