Having been a little obsessed ever since, and having also been privileged enough to attend most Handa productions since La Traviatadebuted in 2012, the return of the broody, monstrous ”angel of music” was highly anticipated.īut outside? Away from the confines of an indoor set? It was an ambitious first for the Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber show, particularly with Sydney Harbour competing ruthlessly in the background. The passion was reignited with a London performance and then again in Sydney in 2007 when Warlow reprised the role. I fell in love with the musical (yes, it is a musical, not an opera, because lines are spoken) when it premiered in Melbourne in 1990, starring Anthony Warlow and Marina Prior. Ok, so full disclosure, Phantom is a particular favourite of mine. It’s watching Phantom of the Opera on the harbour. What’s better than watching a Handa performance on Sydney Harbour? (You know, those performances over water co-starring the best sparklers in the business, our Opera House and Harbour Bridge.)

When was phantom of the opera written