The Phantom of the Opera (mask)

In 1910, French author Gaston Leroux published his novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra”, a story partly inspired by events that took place at the Garnier opera house in Paris during the 19th century. Leroux's story has been adapted many times in many mediums, but perhaps the most famous is the musical theater rendition by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. With an ongoing run of over two decades in New York City alone, plus numerous international productions, this story of love, passion, drama, and haunting beauty has remained a perennial favorite among theatergoers for years.

The production’s iconic mask logo is an homage to its signature character; a mysterious figure who dwells within the bowels of the opera house and takes a young fledgling performer under his wing. He wears the mask to conceal his scarred and distorted face from view, and despite his macabre appearance and fierce demeanor, he is in many ways a lonely creature that desires nothing more than simple human compassion.

This mask, sometimes paired with a rose and/or the name of the production emblazoned, can be seen wherever The Phantom of the Opera is being performed, and just seems to invite the audience into a dark and mysterious, yet highly illuminating, musical world.