This October, Cornell Cinema will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the silent movie “The Phantom of the Opera,” with live musical accompaniment by The Invincible Czars. The screening will take place on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in Sage Chapel; all tickets must be purchased online in advance of the event and special event pricing applies.
The early horror classic will be enlivened by the band’s signature blend of eclectic instrumentation and adventurous arrangements. “Our annual Sage Chapel screening is a highlight of the Halloween season in Ithaca. We are thrilled to welcome The Invincible Czars to breathe new life this classic tale of mystery, murder and mayhem,” said Molly Ryan, director of Cornell Cinema.
The Invincible Czars are well-known for creating playful, original scores that draw forth emotional and narrative complexity of films from the silent era, Ryan said. In 2006, they began performing live silent film soundtracks at the Alamo Draft House in Austin, Texas, and have toured extensively, visiting Cornell Cinema previously to accompany “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” in 2023 and “Nosferatu” in 2022 with their original, dynamic scores.
The Czars’ new “Phantom of the Opera” soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.
In the film, based on the titular novel by Gaston Leroux, a mysterious Phantom haunts the Paris Opera House, demanding tribute in the form of his own private box for every performance. After he encounters the young opera singer Christine Daaé, the Phantom causes murder and mayhem in his attempt to make the woman he loves a star. Lon Chaney’s career-defining portrayal of the Phantom solidified his reputation as “The Man of a Thousand Faces” and proved influential for subsequent adaptations, both on screen and on stage, Ryan said.
“The moment when Christine removes the Phantom’s mask remains one of cinema’s most enduring images,” said Ryan. “I hope the opportunity to see this iconic film together inside the majestic Sage Chapel will be a transformative experience for all our audience members.”
The event is presented in collaboration with the Wharton Studio Museum as part of Silent Movie Month in Ithaca.
