"Phantom of the Opera" Movie Soundtrack Set for Nov. 23 Release

By Ernio Hernandez
and Andrew Gans
October 20, 2004

Sony Classical and Really Useful Records have set the release date for the original soundtrack recording of the Joel Schumacher-directed film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

The soundtrack, which will feature the new song "Learn to Be Lonely," will be released on Nov. 23, almost one month prior to the film's U.S. release on Dec. 22.

The new song, "Learn to Be Lonely," is sung by Minnie Driver who plays the film's opera diva Carlotta. The track, penned by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Charles Hart, will play over the film's credits.

Sony Classical will release the "Phantom" recording in two editions: a single disc of highlights and a deluxe two-disc set featuring the score in a collector's edition package.

The score — translated and recorded in French, Italian, Spanish and German — will also be released internationally in those languages.

The complete track listing for the two-CD "Phantom of the Opera" soundtrack follows:

CD 1
"Prologue"
Overture"/"Hannibal"
"Think of Me"
"Angel of Music"
"Little Lotte"/"The Mirror (Angel of Music)"
"The Phantom of the Opera"
"The Music of the Night"
"Magical Lasso"
"I Remember"/"Stranger than You Dreamt It"
"Notes…"/"Prima Donna"
"Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh"
"Why Have You Brought Me Here"/"Raoul I’ve Been There"
"All I Ask of You"
"All I Ask of You" (Reprise)

CD2
"Masquerade"/"Why So Silent"
"Madame Giry’s Tale"/"The Fairground"
"Journey to the Cemetery"
"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"
"Wandering Child"
"The Swordfight"
"We Have All Been Blind"
"Don Juan"
"The Point of No Return/Chandelier Crash"
"Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer"
"Learn to Be Lonely"

Directed by Joel Schumacher, "The Phantom of the Opera" is set to hit cinemas throughout the U.S. during the Christmas holiday. The motion picture stars Gerard Butler in the title role, Emmy Rossum as Christine and Patrick Wilson as Raoul as well as Minnie Driver, Miranda Richardson, Ciarán Hinds and Simon Callow.

Based on the classic Gaston Leroux novel, The Phantom of the Opera features music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Harold Prince directed both the London and New York premieres. The New York production — originally starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman — won seven 1988 Tony Awards including one for Best Musical. The score includes such tunes as "Think of Me," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "The Point of No Return" and the title tune.

For more information, on the original soundtrack recording of "The Phantom of the Opera," visit Sony Classical's website at www.sonyclassical.com.