He's There... The Phantom of the Opera

Marina Bay Sands at night

Finally!

A ticket for a flight to Singapore was booked for this historical musical play.  I may not have watched this in its showing in Manila, but then I was blessed to grab this once in a lifetime chance. Salamat sa Diyos mapapanood ko na rin siya ng live! At take note, sa Marina Bay Sands pa!

I can't hide the excitement and the thought that I will watch the play in full detail. The stage, the production, the actors and actresses, and more importantly, the immortal music from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Never has a musical play got me hooked and absorbed so much like The Phantom of the Opera.

Erik, Christine and Raoul, see you soon!

I'll be honest, I first watched POTO on its 25th anniversary in its disc version. It was nothing short of a spare at the moment view, but alas, I was hypnotized. It was a masterpiece, a perfection of a production from start to finish. With the main cast Ramin Karimloo (damn handsome and powerful voice) as Erik the Phantom, Sierra Boggess (angelic face and oh so sweet and uplifting heavenly voice) as the ballerina turned soprano turned damsel in distress Christine, and Hadley Fraser (damn handsome too and charismatic tone) as the childhood sweetheart turned knight in, well, shining voice Raoul, they made each movement blossom. Ow, and we have Carlotta, Piangi, Madam Giry, Monsieurs Fermin and  Andre, they made the spectacle seemed never to end until the last note is sung and curtains fell.

Since I watched it, I wanted more, I researched on the history of the musical. From the book of Gaston Leroux, to the performances of Sarah Brightman and John Owen-Jones, the even the pieces from the musical. I even have the album from the 25th anniversary bought from iTunes. It is an addiction, one may say. But then, the climax I guess of this search is to see the musical itself. At last...

"Angel of Music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory... Sing once again with me, a strange duet. My power over you, grows stronger yet... Say you share with me one love, one lifetime, let me lead you from your solitude..."