Overview of the Musical The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Based on Gaston Leroux’s gothic novel, Phantom holds the record as the longest-running musical on Broadway. For over twenty years, Webber’s masked musical has wowed audiences with its over 9000 performances on the West End, not to mention the countless touring companies that have spread Phantom-mania throughout the world. So, What Makes Phantom So Popular? The Phantom of the Opera combines high-tech stagecraft with good old fashioned melodrama. Consider some of the elements featured in this musical: A sweeping musical score.Powerful, operatic voices.Sharp, direction by Harold Prince.A sprinkling of ballet choreographed by Gillian Lynne.Elaborate costumes and dozens of quick changes.And when all else fails to entertain: Throw in a falling chandelier. Why Do Some People Hate Phantom? Anytime something is immensely successful, a critical backlash is to be expected. In my observations, many who are serious about musicals despise much of Webber’s work, opting instead, for instance, for the more complex compositions of Stephen Sondheim. Some might argue that The Phantom of the Opera is filled with gimmicky effects, flat characters, and sub-par trilling. As warranted as these criticisms might be, there is a component to this show that remains the secret of its phenomenal success. The show has been a hit for over two decades because the character of the Phantom is a mesmerizing anti-hero. The Bad Boy Image Step one in winning the hearts of the female audience: create a mysterious character with a dark side. Step two: Make certain that underneath that dangerous exterior lurks a loving heart, ready to bloom when the right woman happens along. A character that is seemingly cold, callous, and even cruel delights the hearts of romance addicts. Just look at some of these supposed jerks who turned into dreamboats: The Beast from Beauty and the BeastEdward Cullen from TwilightMr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice The Phantom’s character possesses these traits – but there are some key differences. For one, the Phantom murders two innocent people. He crosses a moral boundary, making us wonder – should we despise him or pity him? Also, most romantic leads are stereotypically attractive. Even the protagonist from Beauty and the Beast was secretly a handsome prince. Not so, with the Phantom. He appears attractive until the mask is wiped away, revealing his hideous deformation. Musical Genius and Renaissance Man To contrast his violent nature, the Phantom is a masterful composer of brooding ballads which have the power to transfix the young singer, Christine Daae. More than just a musician, the Phantom is also almost like a Parisian Batman. He’s got a cool lair, which he constructed himself. He has created a plethora of inventions (some of them deadly). Also, he is a shrewd businessman (or extortionist) because he constantly sends payment notices to the opera managers. We can only assume he also designs his own costumes. All of this talent almost makes the viewer want to ignore his murderous crimes. Sensitive Soul or Sinister Stalker? Yes, The Phantom of the Opera has been called the most â€Å"haunting romance† of all time. But think of it: would you really want someone becoming obsessed over you the way the Phantom becomes obsessed with Christine? Maybe not. Today we call that stalking. However, because deep down the Phantom has a sensitive soul, audiences ultimately become sympathetic to him, despite his villainous behavior. Through exposition, we learn that the Phantom was imprisoned in a carnival freak show. We also learn that his own mother despised him. He sings about his appearance: â€Å"This face which earned a mother’s fear and loathing.† These details put the audience in a forgiving mood. In the final scene, the Phantom attempts a devious plan. He threatens to kill Christine’s handsome boyfriend, Raoul unless she decides to live with the Phantom. However, his plan backfires. Christine sings, â€Å"Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known. God give me courage to show you, you are not alone.† Then, she bestows upon the Phantom a long, passionate kiss. After the smooch, the Phantom is overwhelmed by the experience of physical affection. He feels an unselfish love for Christine and he releases the young lovebirds. His transformation differs from other stories which hinge upon true love’s kiss. In this case, the Beast archetype doesn’t turn into a handsome prince. However, he does undergo a moral awakening. And it is that moment, the Phantoms reaction to the kiss, that makes The Phantom of the Opera a classic.

Trust in Freedom Writers and Stand and Deliver - 1170 Words

Both Erin Gruwell in Freedom Writers and Jamie Esclante in Stand and Deliver faced students stuck in low-income backgrounds and neighborhoods of crime. Despite the low achievement of these students, both teachers were able to foster a mastery of a subject to their students. Even though the subjects of English and math are extremely different, one method united both teachers and allowed them to teach their students effectively— trust. Erin and Jamie were successful because of the trust they put in their students. In both Erin’s and Jamie’s school, there was a fundamental distrust of the students by the faculty and a fundamental distrust of the faculty by the students. This environment led to a disconnect between the faculty’s methods†¦show more content†¦Finally, the trust placed in the students allowed both Erin and Jamie to â€Å"raise the bar† of their expectations. By trusting the students are capable and willing to learn in the rig ht environment, both teachers avoided the trap of teaching remedial methods that seem to match their level of comprehension and understanding. Instead, both teachers trusted that their students had a greater capacity to learn than what the school system gave them credit for. It was this trust in the students that allowed both Erin and Jamie to start teaching information that was previously seen as impossible for those students to comprehend correctly and adequately. It was this trust in the students by Erin and Jamie that allowed them to raise the bar. Both teachers expected more of their students than the other teachers in the school, but students generally seen as lazy and apathetic towards school meet those expectations against conventional wisdom. The reason for this is that while raising the bar, both teachers trusted that their students would reach it. Other teachers could have raised the bar, but because of the lack of trust between the teacher and the students, the teac hers would not expect anything, thus the students wouldn’t do anything. Adding the element of trust to the equation made the students realize that they were expected and trusted to meetShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of I Have Dream1489 Words   |  6 Pages in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.† This reinforces his ethos because it alludes to the famous and remarkable Abraham Lincoln’s â€Å"Gettysburg Address† which was a speech given after the battle. Using Lincoln’s language invoked his credibility and convinced the audience that are against his vision. 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Learning to Laugh free essay sample

Slowly, I walked away, praying that the tingling sensation in my nose would subside and that the tears that stung my eyes would evaporate. You’re so selfish. All you care about is yourself. His words reverberated off the walls of my mind; I couldn’t contain them in any one place. You want people to feel sorry for you. Standing alone in my birthday dress, I squirmed, disgusted by the feel of my own skin, and wrapped my arms tightly around my middle. Your mom’s not that sick. It’s not like she’s going to die. As color rose into my cheeks, they rouged, and I felt a nauseating twinge of humiliation. You’re pathetic. His words were cruel and callous, and they struck me with great intensity. Pain, anger, and grief tugged at my insides and wrestled violently, each struggling to the surface of my mind. Though so much of what he said was gratuitous, I saw truth in his words. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning to Laugh or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I had been selfish. I had been needy. I had been looking for anything that would justify my behavior. On December 19, 2005, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It runs in the family. I remember my grandpa with the trachea tube. Throat cancer. I was nine. I remember my uncle in bed, disgustingly emaciated. A sarcoma. I was twelve. And at 15, I find myself looking into my own mother’s eyes as she attempts to recount the diagnosis her oncologist has given her. Both of us fight back tears. She promises me that she will persevere and that nothingin all its power can take her away from me, from my brother, and from my dad. But I’ve learned from past experience: cancer kills. When my mother began chemotherapy in early February of 2006, she spent endless hours hunched lethargically on the couch as the chemicals consumed her body. I watched. There was nothing I could do. I realize now that as my mother progressed towards a vegetative state, she took part of my person with her: my happiness, my laughter, my pride, and my courage. She left me behind with only the company of my own faults, which easily extinguished my spark. It was at this point that I blindly became the kind of person that I once frowned upon with distaste. I craved attention and had grown accustomed to receiving pity from others. I thrived off of it, squirreling away every ounce that was offered in a desperate attempt to fill the void I felt when I lost communication with my mother. On my sixteenth birthday that year, harsh words were spoken and feelings were hurt, but I wasn’t blind any more. The words of a boy, a peer of mine, brought me back to my senses. Immediately, I began to practice a new approach to difficult situations, grinning in the face of anger and laughing at sorrow. At first these efforts caused me to feel false and transparent, but in due course I became increasingly confident and upbeat. I am, to this day, so grateful for the criticism that I received on that day. I’m seventeen now, and smiles and laughter are no longer foreign to my character, but have instead become the outermost emotions on my sleeve. A few crude words changed my life. I now fight with optimism because it numbs the pain. And by the way—my mom is getting better.

Rational Approach of Organizational Change free essay sample

Committee unanimously approved a financial fair play concept for the games well-being in September 2009 and on 27 May 2010 approved the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations Edition 2010, in the presence and with the full support of the European Club Association chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The concept, which has been supported by everyone around football, looks at the long as well as short-term health of club football and individual clubs. In particular, the objectives aim to introduce more discipline within club finances and encourage responsible spending and investment. Financial fair play is a key point in the 11 values of the UEFA president presented at the UEFA Congress in Copenhagen in March 2009. Despite a background of huge and increasing public and commercial interest in European club football over the last decade, many clubs across Europe are in poor financial health, struggling to meet their financial responsibilities and commitments, and reporting repeated financial losses. We will write a custom essay sample on Rational Approach of Organizational Change or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page UEFA has a duty to consider the systemic environment of European club football in which individual clubs compete, in particular, the wider inflationary impact of clubs’ spending on salaries and player transfer fees and increasing levels of indebtedness across European club football, as the Club Licensing Benchmarking Report shows. Therefore, as requested by and in consultation with the football family, UEFA has aimed to develop sensible and achievable club monitoring requirements to supplement the existing club licensing criteria, in order to safeguard the sustainability of European club football. To supplement and complement the former UEFA Club Licensing Regulations, the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, comprising both club licensing criteria and club monitoring requirements derived from the financial fair play concept, entered into force on 1 June 2010, with the various financial fair play requirements being phased in over a number of seasons. The consistent application of the club licensing criteria by licensors and the monitoring of clubs are overseen by the independent Club Financial Control Panel, which was created in 2009. If a criterion or requirement of the regulations is not fulfilled, appropriate measures will be taken against the club by UEFA’s independent disciplinary bodies. Potential disciplinary sanctions are the remit of the competent disciplinary bodies that have a palette of sanctions at their disposal including ultimately the exclusion from future UEFA club competitions. Since its creation, the Club Financial Control Panel has referred numerous clubs to UEFA’s disciplinary bodies for both club licensing and club monitoring breaches. Of course many people also believe that the dream of Michel Platini for competitive but healthy football for all the 660 football teams under UEFA’s jurisdiction will fail. But taking into consideration the fact that if the FFP fails the credibility of Michel Platini will be harmed the UEFA Club Financial Control Panel are determined to help the president of UEFA achieve its dream. The tasks of the independent Club Financial Control Panel to achieve Platini’s dream are to ensure that the UEFA club licensing system is applied correctly across all 53 UEFA member associations and that clubs have fulfilled the criteria defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations. As well as conducting and deciding on licensing compliance audits to check the awarding of licenses by the national decision-making bodies and checking that club competition integrity rules have been observed, the Club Financial Control Panel governs the ongoing club monitoring process (financial fair play) after the awarding of licenses. It was introduced at the start of the 2004/05 season with the goal of encouraging European club football to look beyond the short term and consider underlying longer-term objectives essential for the games continued good health. It is based on a series of defined quality standards, which each club must accomplish to gain entry to UEFAs club competitions, and on the key principles of transparency, integrity, credibility and capability. The 36 specific criteria of the licensing system can be broken down into five main categories: 1) sporting 2) infrastructure 3) personnel 4) legal 5) financial These criteria – developed in cooperation with the national associations – have helped to improve the credibility of club operations and led to better transparency and governance by clubs and national associations. A license granted to a club by its national association proves that it has achieved a certain quality level.