The exhibition was held in Hong Kong in 1995. All the photos and descriptions of the costumes that you can find in this website are from the exhibition. Everything I know about the costumes is already here so please don't ask me about the costumes. Besides, I do not have the negatives to reprint the photos. BTW, you can click on a photo to enlarge it. :)
| Paris 1881 Act One: A Rehearsal for the New Production of Chalimar's Hannibal |
Elissa (Carlotta) |
Elissa (Carlotta) |
Slave Girl |
Hannibal (Piangi) |
Opera diva, Carlotta, plays the role of Elissa in the opera Hannibal. These very heavily decorated costumes use gold Indian jewellery and sari braids to trim the skirts and bodices. Carlotta would have her costumes made by her own dress maker. They would have been very elaborate to show how successful she was. Carlotta's Hannibal costume weighs 10.5 kg. It takes 130 hours to make and uses German velvet. |
The slave girls' skirts are made from a soft rope which will not damage the girls' knees as they dance. |
Famous tenor, Piangi, in armour and helmet, portrays the role of Hannibal. Metallic braids, gold Indian jewellery and sari braids trim his skirt and cloak. Gold leather and gold bullion fringing help to make these some of the heaviest costumes in the show. Piangi's Hannibal costumes weighs 12 kg. |
| Paris 1881 Act One |
Paris 1881 Act One: The Phantom's Lair |
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Andre |
Carlotta's B&W Dress |
Phantom's Chinese Robe |
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| Monsieur Andre is one of the new managers of the Opera Populaire Company. In top hat and fur collared overcoat, in attendance at a rehearsal of the opera Hannibal. |
Carlotta, the grand diva of the Opera Populaire, was able to afford the luxury of fox furs and silk brocade dresses for normal day wear. The silver metallic silk brocade and the grey and black silk brocade fabrics are used for this Carlotta costume in all the Phantom productions around the world. Up to 5000 antique black glass beads and motifs are usually used on this costume. |
The Phantom wears this Chinese robe as he sits at the organ composing his music, in his labyrinth, deep beneath the Paris Opera House. The influence of the Orient was apparent in the fashions of the day. The Phantom used this robe as his 'at home' jacket. It is made from a combination of antique Chinese silks and fringes. |
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| Paris 1881 Act One: A Performance of the Opera Il Muto Sylvan Glade Ballet |
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Dancer in Il Muto Ballet
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Dancer in Il Muto Ballet |
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The shepherdesses frolic in the sylvan glade. The ballet was a key part of any opera and was usually at the start of Act Three. Thus gentlemen could dine before arriving at the threatre in time to see the young ladies in the corps de ballet. |
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| New Year Eve - Paris 1881 Act Two: Masquerade Ball |
Lion Man |
??? |
??? |
??? |
Raoul's Soldier Costume |
Jester |
Half-Man-Half-Woman |
Indian Girl |
| Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, accompanies Christine to the Masquerade Ball. He is dressed in a Russian Hussar (soldier) costume. The origin of the gold braid work on the jacket was to protect the body during sword fights. Raoul's Hussar (soldier) costume uses 30 metres of gold braid. The fabric comes from London. |
Jester at the Masquerade Ball. This costume is based on the hunchbacked character of Rigoletto from the Opera of the same name. Pompoms and red silver triangular 'dags' are a main feature of this Medieval style costume. |
The half man, half woman Masquerade costume is a fun mixture of half a man's suit and half a woman's crinoline dress. This costume makes it hard to tell if the person wearing it is a man or a woman. |
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Christine's Star Dress |
Red Death Costume |
Red Death Costume |
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| Christine Daae in her Masquerade Ball Star Dress. Her costume is made from dyed silk satin in pinks and blues, layers of tulle, pearls, crystals and a galaxy of stars and moons. Christine's Star Dress has 1400 beads and crystals on the skirts and bodice. |
The Phantom wears an elaborate Cavalier costume known as Red Death. In this disguise he moves freely amongst the other costumed guests without being discovered. Silks and velvets in red, black and gold, ostrich feathers and elegant bead work adorn his costume, the Phantom's Red Death costume takes 4 weeks to make, and uses 30 metres of silk in his cloak. The fabrics come from London, Germany and Hong Kong. |
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| Paris 1882 Act Two: The Managers' Office |
Paris 1882 Act Two: The Phantom's Lair |
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Christine's Blue Dress |
Christine's Wedding Dress
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Christine's Wedding Dress |
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| Christine Daae has been chosen by the Phantom to sing the leading role in his opera Don Juan Triumphant. The blue silk for this simple day dress is woven in India and specially printed in England. This unique fabric is the same in all productions of Phantom around the world. Antique braids, laids and buttons are often used on this dress. Christine's blue dress takes 18 metres of silk. |
Christine Daae has been kidnapped by the Phantom and taken to his underground lair. This 1880's style wedding dress with close fitting bodice and bustle shaped skirt with layers of lace frills, is made from cotton damask and satin. The wedding dress has 16 metres of lace frills, imported from France. |
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| Other Photos from the Exhibition |
Peter Karrie...I think
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Carlotta & Piangi
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Theme Song MV Playing in the Exhibition |
Theme Song MV Playing in the Exhibition
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