We are continuing our COVID-modified 2020-21 season with The Phantom of the Opera – a spine-tingling presentation of the groundbreaking 1925 silent horror film paired with a dramatic score created by Montreal composer Gabriel Thibaudeau. Digital streaming of the performance will begin on October 31, with screenings at the Paramount Theatre on November 8.

Based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film about a deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in his attempts to make the woman he loves a star. The film remains famous to this day for star Lon Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up.

Silent films were never truly silent; they were almost always accompanied by a live musical score. As part of his illustrious 30-year career as a silent film accompanist, Canadian composer Gabriel Thibaudeau penned a stirring new score to accompany the gothic tale of The Phantom of the Opera in 1990.

Performing this thrilling and cryptic score will be ten musicians from the Kamloops Symphony – two violins, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, piano, and percussion – led by the incomparable Dina Gilbert. Joining them in performance will be the KSO’s guest artist, soprano Magdalena How. Originally from Victoria, Magdalena is presently pursuing her master’s degree in Opera Performance at UBC, with a widely varied list of operatic roles and solo performances to her credit.

The online experience of this multi-angle presentation will be available for viewing starting on Saturday, October 31 at 7:30 pm and will continue to be accessible on demand until Sunday, November 29. Additionally, for those who would prefer a big screen experience, the performance will be shown at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, November 8 at 1:00 and 4:00 pm, in partnership with the Kamloops Film Society.

Tickets for the online experience are $15 for an Individual or $25 for a Household Pass. Tickets for the screenings in Paramount Theatre are $20. All tickets can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office at 250-374-5483 or www.kamloopslive.ca starting Tuesday, October 13.