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‘The Phantom of the Opera’ costumes on display in Denver
Costumes from ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ are currently on display in the lobby of the Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel at 17th and Champa Streets. They move to The Buell Theatre when the show opens on November 6.
There are more than 1,200 costume pieces in the enduring Denver-bound production
You may be awed by the famous chandelier that brings down the Paris Opera House in The Phantom of the Opera, but it is upstaged night after night by ®Maria Björnson’s spectacular costumes. And while there are many new elements in this presentation of The Phantom of the Opera, it is a testament to her expertise that this show incorporates most of her designs from the 1986 original production.
While beautiful and plentiful — with more than 1,200 costume pieces required for the production — they are also designed to withstand the demands of eight performances per week. In fact, each ballet dancer goes through a pair of toe shoes every two to three weeks.
We invite you to enjoy a glimpse of the costumes that earned ®Maria Björnson a Tony Award for Best Costume Design, many of which are presently on display in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel through November 5 before moving to The Buell Theatre during the production.
Designs by Maria Björnson®
1. The Phantom’s Suit
Silk tailsuit worn by The Phantom. For an elegant man of his time, after the sun goes down, this was normal attire. Two-piece tailsuit of woven patterned silk. Silk faille waistcoat, shirt and silk bow tie.
2. Christine Daaé
“Don Juan Triumphant” costume, Act Two
Inspired by Spanish folklore style, this costume is worn by Christine in the opera of “Don Juan Triumphant” when she plays the character of “Zerlina” in Act 2. Peach color silk taffeta, with contrast embroidery and brocade stomacher.
3. Ubaldo Piangi
“Hannibal” costume, Act One
The lead tenor of the Opéra Populaire, Ubaldo Piangi plays the role of Hannibal in the opera of the same name. Green brocade tunic with multicolor skirt and lattice fringe. Painted celastic armour with sculptural décor.
4. Carlotta Giudicelli
The Managers’ Office, Act One
Just a little something to wear to the office, if you are an opera diva. Metallic brocade bodice and skirt, with ruffles, braid and jet décor.
From left: Derrick Davis as The Phantom; Emma Grimsley as Christine Daaé; Phumzile Sojola as Ubaldo Piangi and Trista Moldovan as Carlotta Giudicelli. Photos by Matthew Murphy.
All original designs and sketches by ®Maria Björnson
®Maria Björnson is a registered trademark of the Prodan Romanian Cultural Foundation and is used under license.
About Costume Designer ®Maria Björnson
In 1990, Maria was awarded The Observer’s Experts’ Expert, the Theatre Designers’ Designer and in 1999, the 19th Franco Abbiati Prize. She received numerous awards for The Phantom of the Opera designs, two Tony® Awards, two Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, two Drama Critics’ Awards, for Best Costume and Set. Musical theatre also includes: Aspects of Love (London and Broadway) and Follies (Shaftesbury). Theatre includes: The Cherry Orchard (RNT); The Blue Angel, Camille, Hamlet, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Way of the World (RSC); Plenty, Phèdre, Britannicus, The Lulu Plays, (Almeida); Hedda Gabler (Duke of York’s). Opera includes: Don Giovanni, Sleeping Beauty, Kátya Kabanová, Der Rosenkavalier (ROH); Macbeth (La Scala); Cosi fan tutte (Glyndebourne); Carmen, Die Walkure, Toussaint L’Ouverture (ENO); The Queen of Spades (Netherlands Opera); The Janá’ek Cycle (WNO/Scottish Opera). Winner 1979 and 1988, Golden Troika Quadrennial awards Prague. Maria died in 2002.
The Phantom of the Opera: Ticket information
Cameron Macintosh’s spectacular new production returns to Denver as part of its North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is “bigger and better than ever before” and features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and new staging by director Laurence Connor. The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score – with songs like “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask Of You,” and “Masquerade” – will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour.
- Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
- Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe; adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux
- Directed by: Laurence Connor
- When: November 6-17
- Where: Buell Theatre
- Accessible Performance: Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m.
- Tickets: Available by calling 303-893-4100, in person in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at 14th and Curtis streets or, online by clicking here:
- The Phantom of Opera official web site
Video: Your first look at the show
Photo gallery:
