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Recommended: Expressionism
The Journey of Growing Up
No one was born to be any professional in any field. Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was not born as a politician; Isaac Newton, a “key figure of the science revolution,” was not born as a scientist (Christianson). We have to discover who we are, and figure out our path on our own. In the musical the Phantom of the Opera, Christine Daaé, the protagonist, starts out as dependent on her teacher, then transform into a confident singer at the Paris Opera House with only the music as her master.
As a child, Christine relied on her father who was a musician before he passed away. “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” was a song Christine sang to her father at his graveyard. In this song Christine
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In the song “the Music of the Night,” the Phantom reveals to Christine that he “open(s) up your (Christine’s) mind, let your (Christine’s) fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you (Christine) know(s) you (Christine) cannot fight -- the darkness of the music of the night” (the Music). The Phantom also “gives you my music… makes your song take wing” (the Music). However, at the same time, the Phantom is a controlling force that holds Christine back from trying to become independent. “Sing once again with me… Sing, my Angel of Music… Sing! Sing for me! Sing, my Angel…” (the Phantom). The Phantom has ordered Christine to sing for him repeatedly in a short five-minute song, “the Phantom of the Opera.” His obsession is revealed even more when he sings that “the Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your mind,” and “it’s me they hear.” These demonstrate that the Phantom was controlling Christine’s voice and mind. At the end of this song, the Phantom cuts off their “strange duet” with his solo in a furious and sad tone, singing to Christine that “the one and only purpose you came here” was that at “the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music, my music” (the Phantom). The Phantom’s orders and his ambition of controlling Christine slowed Christine down in her journey to become an independent …show more content…
Unlike the Phantom, Raoul, Christine’s lover, supports her to pursue her dream in music by giving her freedom and allowing her to find her own voice. In the song “All I Ask of You,” Raoul sings to Christine, “Let me be your freedom/Let me be your shelter/Let me be your light/I’m here, with you, beside you” (Lloyd Webber). Raoul’s love towards Christine is to give her a shelter to hide from fear and become free from other’s control, the light to walk in the darkness, and freedom to pursue her own voice in the world of music.
With recognition from audience, protection from Raoul, and her talent and great musicianship, Christine becomes more confident in demonstrating her interpretation of music as an artist, and does not need a teacher or a guide to lead her to go forth in the world of music anymore. Christine becomes a more independent artist, with music as her master and the only companion.
Christine’s journey of becoming an independent artist is an example of the journey of growing up that everyone experiences. As college students, our journey is to separate from parents, although our parents are not as obsessive or controlling as the Phantom, become confident, and discover our purpose in life
Her lasting career was not given to her easily, therefore, creating an inspiring story full of hardships and success. Ever since she was a little girl, her dream was to become a successful and famous dancer. In New York City, when she was trying to fulfill her dream, she was unable to find a job in the theatre department. Instead of being discouraged, she decided to make something good come from it. She choreographed her own routines, created her own costumes, and organized solo recitals for audiences to enjoy. This event led her to the biggest adventure in her life that would later impact the world. She was invited to return back to London to pursue her education in the performing arts, so that she could further improve her talents that would make up her entire career.
It holds such power over captives and captors alike that they cannot help but feel enamoured to the life it brings. Cesar especially feels the beauty of music “Oh, how he loved to hear the words in his mouth… It didn't matter that he didn't understand the language, he knew what it meant. The words and music fused together and became a part of him” and through music, he discovers his latent talent for singing (224). Based only on Roxanne’s previous arias, Cesar’s potential is outstandingly bright when he sings for the first time without any training whatsoever. Not only do the others learn to appreciate his gift, but Roxanne herself recognizes how promising he is or she would not have bothered to waste her time tutoring him. Beforehand, Cesar is nothing remarkable, just another one of the terrorists who detains them, but the opera transforms him into a separate person. Like the mansion enveloped in the garua, Cesar is heavily shrouded by serious self-esteem issues and fear, but after his breakthrough, his worries suddenly disappear and his life becomes a reservoir of joy. If “life, true life, was something stored in music”, then Cesar has lived a deprived life; his passion for music was just unfolding, but fate robs the world of who “was meant to be the greatest singer of his time” (5,
The music that was played by Mademoiselle Reisz also awakened the soul that was sleeping in Edna. “The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier’s spinal column.” It was the first time for Edna to feel the emotional power of music and the message that Mademoiselle Reisz wants to express though each
At night Christine is singing to Raoul, and makes him sad because he can tell she isn’t herself. Carlotta is singing when she suddenly can’t. Moncharmin and Firmin sitting in box five feel as if there is some else there. Carlotta keeps croaking the chandelier crashes to the ground killing a woman. Christine is suddenly gone after the night of the crashing of the chandelier. She is not found for two weeks; until Raoul finds out she was taken by her “Angel of Music”. He sees her riding in a carriage with a ghostly looking male appearance. The opera holds an annual masquerade ball. Christine comes with a man who is in a Red Death costume. Christine and Raoul get out together but only getting into their first fight. He has a confrontation with Red Death, which is presumed to be the Phantom. Christine comes back from the Angel of Music, but won’t answer any of the questions that Raoul ask. He notices on her left ring finger she has a simple gold ring. He wishes th...
... (e.g. Nakkula, Toshalis, 2006). The research regarding hipster culture compounds many of Erikson’s theories about identity development, which continue to evolve and mature throughout the course of life, but also emphasizes the importance on an adolescent formation of identity development (during the primary years of an student artist’s most intense training). Overall, the research confirms the belief that creative adolescents develop identities based on their specific choices, and who they choose to be. Although genetic factors play some role in artfulness, creativity is a skilled that is continually honed and refined — much like any other ability in life. The artistic identity is one that is carefully composed and considered, and continually cultivated throughout the course of a lifetime, though this identity formation takes place from a young age in adolescence.
... way they are moving from the bad things all around them into the good, that is, the music. In this way they are in a way escaping from the darkness that is around them every day even if only for a short time. It's the only light they have. This is when the author uses the image of darkness for the last time. " For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness." This supports that their music is the only thing that is totally good in their lives. With all the violence and despair that is around them all of the time, music is the only way they can free themselves.
Edna seeks occupational freedom in art, but lacks sufficient courage to become a true artist. As Edna awakens to her selfhood and sensuality, she also awakens to art. Originally, Edna “dabbled” with sketching “in an unprofessional way” (Chopin 543). She could only imitate, although poorly (Dyer 89). She attempts to sketch Adèle Ratignolle, but the picture “bore no resemblance” to its subject. After her awakening experience in Grand Isle, Edna begins to view her art as an occupation (Dyer 85). She tells Mademoiselle Reisz that she is “becoming an artist” (Chopin 584). Women traditionally viewed art as a hobby, but to Edna, it was much more important than that. Painting symbolizes Edna’s independence; through art, she breaks free from her society’s mold.
The main song being alluded to is "Varsouviana," a polka song that sounds a bit like merry-go-round music, which is constantly playing in Blanche’s head and disturbing her thoughts (Williams 141). Blanche’s husband had previously killed himself to this song, it now playing in repeat in her head and building up guilt on her shoulders as it was theoretically her fault. The tune works to set the scene for the instability overcoming Blanche, the creepy music inside her head unable to be heard by any other ears mixed with her inability to escape the guilt and anxiety that seems to blanket her every thought. Williams is able to incorporate this disturbing music on stage to show the audience Blanche’s slow decline of health, the insanity that steadily consumes her due to her lack of living with her present existence. Another song blended into the story is “It’s Only a Paper Moon” by Harold Arlen, a song that speaks on love and how it becomes an overwhelming aspect of people’s lives. It explains how love causes dependency as it morphs one's reality to fantasy: “It’s only a paper moon, just as phony as it can be— But it wouldn’t be make-believe If you believed in me!” (Williams 120-122). The song alludes to the illusory world she lives in, her desire for someone to join in on it through love as she slowly descends into madness, relying heavily on others to fuel her
Lloyd Webber’s widely regarded masterpiece Phantom Of The Opera uses key motifs and themes throughout the musical to establish its characters and scenes in an effective manner. Throughout the production the motifs, themes and songs all develop to reflect the changes their respective characters undergo. This is particularly evident when analysing The Phantom, his motifs and songs, and how they develop throughout the story.
This story is told through the use of many different techniques of writing, including, one of the most emotionally gripping, personification. The use of a line such as “When she was just a girl she expected the world but it flew away from her reach” (lines 1-2) gives the listener a childlike view on the situation, which, allows the listener to relate to and, subsequently, connect themselves to the song’s protagonist. Personification is also used in other
... situation, Christina Aguilera has been really motivated by music. Music is what has made her really strong. This shows that music has been a great influence for her. Her music has also influenced many young teens going through depressing situations. Becoming very passionate about music was special for Christina Aguilera; it helped her become the singer she is now. Even though she had a tough time with her father music brought her up again. Now, Christina is very talented because of all the things that made her very strong. Christina Aguilera’s life in a domestic surrounding was very difficult for her. Even though she struggled at times listening to music helped so much. Music for her was comforting. Maybe teen girls do not have someone to talk to and feel very sad, Christina’s music can help them be stronger and not think about the situations they are experiencing.
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Hall-25 Anniversary Celebration was filmed for the 25th anniversary for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s critically acclaimed Phantom of the Opera. The script was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show is based off of the book Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux. The show opens in Paris 1905 at an auction of old theater props from L’Opera Populaire. As they are auctioning off old props of the theater they come up to an old music box with a monkey on top of it. An elderly man buys it and the auctioneer soon moves on to what he calls “ chandelier in pieces” and coincides with the mysterious Phantom of the Opera. The cloth over the chandelier comes off and the it comes to life with light and we are transported back to 1881. The show follows Christine, a young vocalist with great beauty, and an Opera House Phantom who yearns to be closer and love her. The Phantom, who has a deformed face hides it from the world behind his mask try to lure Christine to his heart by teaching her the ways of music and vocals only for her to fall in love with her childhood friend Raoul. The Phantom, who has been alone for all this time, does
When the plays begins, we are introduced to the “Blue Piano”. It represents the spirit of life (page 3) in the setting. We see the music have a great impact during Stella’s and Blanche’s conversation about Belle Reve. When the music gets louder, the conversation intensifies after Stella asks what happened to Belle Reve, causing Blanche to show her sadness to the fullest about losing Belle Reve and experiencing the deaths in the
The Phantom of the Opera centers on the Paris Opera House which has over time become the Phantom’s domain. Upon the news that the opera house has been bought and is under new ownership, the Phantom demands that the new owners honor the “agreement” he has established with the previous owners and that the fifth opera box is kept empty for his use and that his salary of 20,000 francs per month is honored. The Phantom also demands that Christine, whom he has secretly been giving singing lessons to, replace Carlotta Giudicelli, the opera company’s prima donna. He also warns that if his demands are not met, that the opera house and the opera company will need to pay the consequences. Though the origins of the Phantom are unknown to the general population of the opera house, Madame Giry knows more about the Phantom than she lets on. It is later discovered that Madame Giry helped the Phantom escape a life of abuse from a freak show and that she hid him at the opera house where she was studying ballet. It was during Christine’s and the Phantom’s singing lessons that he began to fall in love with her and came to be obsessed and protective of her. The return of Christine’s first love, Raoul, threatens to tear Christine an...
“People knew I was different. But not less.” Temple Grandin understood what she had, but she knew she was not less than anyone else. She did what anyone else could do. She knew she could push through everyday, no matter how hard and how long it took. Temple is not different, but she is unique! “We’re focusing so much on academics that we’ve taken out things like, art, sewing, cooking, woodworking, music, and other things that introduce kids to careers.” Temple Grandin is trying to explain and tell the world that it is not all about academics. She had the tremendously strong willpower to prove that what she was thinking was actually right. She wanted people to stop worrying about all academics and more about the arts, sports, and the creativity of all of it. Because if not, only the few students that excel at academics are