Craig Safan

Phantom of the Opera: New Music for the 1925 Film Craig Safan

New original score for 1925 silent film classic! Craig Safan creates all-new score for Universal's silent film masterpiece in 2019 update. Nearly 100 years old at time of Safan's contribution, he brings his unique musical vernacular to Universal horror and romance tale. Rupert Julian directs, Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry star. Safan brings considerable experience to scoring silent film classics, having previously been commissioned to create new music for Charlie Chaplin's 1917 film The Kid. For the Phantom Of The Opera update, Safan composed and conducted a large tapestry featuring Gothic shadings, beautiful romance, tortured suspense, requisite organ and a plethora of quieter passages for solo instruments including a medieval dance. Safan first performed the score with the Del Rey Symphony live to picture in Chace Park for a 2019 premiere with some 2000 in attendance. This new recording on Intrada features the Miles End Symphony with vocal soloist Sonia Kazarova, under the baton of the composer. Exciting and evocative music for more than 76 minutes! Craig Safan conducts!