The original, famous and popular silent movie version of “The Phantom of the Opera” will enjoy a special showing on Friday October 17th at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Refuge Church in Brooklyn, NY, accompanied by Todd Wilson on the church’s newly restored Kilgen pipe organ.

Silent movies were all the rage in 1925 when “The Phantom of the Opera” was filmed, and it was a total success. Though “Phantom” is now almost 90 years old, this Lon Chaney masterpiece is still loved by young and old alike, people who just enjoy classic films and their dramatic musical accompaniments.

Mr. Wilson has accompanied “The Phantom of the Opera” to varied audiences throughout the United States, and all have enjoyed his role in enlivening the film’s abundant drama and humor.

“The Phantom of the Opera” will be shown on a large screen at the front of the church. Mr. Wilson’s perch in the organ loft will allow him to improvise a “sound track” to the film. He will assign a tune or a “leitmotiv” to the primary charters and emotions, many of these tunes will be familiar to you, but overall his improvised “sound track” will be entirely original.

Todd Wilson is regarded as one of today’s foremost concert organists. He is the head of the Organ Department at The Cleveland Institute of Music, and Director of Music and Worship at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. He has played solo recitals across the United States and around the world, and additionally has performed with several major symphony orchestras. Mr Wilson is truly a world-class organist and we are privileged to have him perform on the newly restored Kilgen pipe organ at our parish in the heart of Brooklyn.

More typically, a musician like Mr. Wilson would be playing at Lincoln Center, so don’t miss his performance in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn.

Purchase tickets to “The Phantom of the Opera” online by click this link which will take you to the parish’s website; the individual ticket price is $15 in advance or $20 at the door the night of the performance (check or cash). Tickets have been selling quickly and this might sell out, so get your tickets today.

Phantom of the Opera | Silent Film | Todd Wilson, Organist at Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn | October 17, 2014 from Joe Vitacco on Vimeo.