Attending a silent movie might be just the right way to rid mid-winter blahs. That’s what Powell River Academy of Music hopes as organist Edward Norman brings life to the classic 1925 Lon Chaney silent movie The Phantom of the Opera, onscreen at James Hall, Saturday, January 17.
The matinee performance, starting at 1:30 pm, provides an opportunity for friends to gather and explore the days before recorded film soundtracks, a time when live musicians were featured at a film’s showing. Pianos were common for small town theatres, but organs also became a popular accompaniment because of their ability to fill the theatres with sound, with the added advantage of simulating special effects. Although there were some orchestral scores provided with the silent films, generally the music was entirely improvised.
Norman is already familiar with the movie, enabling him to provide emotional cues as tradition prescribes. Audience members may hear a little hint of Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes, but essentially Norman will create his own leitmotifs for the characters and plot. As the movie moves toward the final denouement, he will introduce Richard Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries.
Norman’s resplendent organ technique, timing, articulation and innate sense of perfect registration have been entertaining Powell River audiences since the early years of the academy’s boys’ choir, and most recently three sold-out Carols by Candlelight performances in December.
Popcorn will be available. Tickets are $20. Readers wishing to obtain more information about this performance or others in the Academy Concert Series can visit the academy online. Tickets can be purchased from the Academy Box Office, 7280 Kemano Street or by calling 604.485.9633, and online.
