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Compare Christine's costumes in the musical and the 2004 movie, and decide which outfits are amend.

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Stage vs. Pic Costumes for Christine in The Phantom of the Opera

Christine Daaé, the leading lady of The Phantom of the Opera, has a plethora of lovely costumes on the phase and on the screen. Her costumes were designed by Maria Bjornson for the stage and Alexandra Byrne for the movie.

Which Outfits Are Better?

The phase version and the movie version have some costumes that are very similar to each other, while others are quite unlike. But which production has the better costumes for Miss Daaé overall?

It's a subjective question, but permit'southward compare the costumes side by side to come up with a conclusion. It volition probably be biased because opinions are not facts, but please enjoy the costume discourse.

Christine's Principal Costumes

1. Slave Girl, Hannibal
2. Elissa, "Think of Me"
3. White Dressing Gown
4. Page, Il Muto
5. "All I Inquire of You lot"
6. "Masquerade"
7. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"
8. Aminta, "The Point of No Return"
9. Wedding Gown

Left: Stage Version. Right: Picture show Version.

i. Slave Daughter, Hannibal

When we first come across Christine, she is wearing a slave daughter costume during the dress rehearsal for the newest opera, Hannibal. Both versions of this costume are revealing, but in different ways.

Stage Version

In the stage show, the costume has a plunging neckline and a rope skirt. Velvet panels make up the bodice, and gold cording covers the seams. There are a lot of beaded elements around the neckline and the shoulders. Christine also wears a crown.

Movie Version

In the movie, the costume has an exposed midriff. It has a floral print on the bodice. The neckline and waistband appear be made out of leather, with some metal details. The brim is made from a lightweight fabric. The partial nudity of the costume represents her vulnerability; she is being exposed and singled out to save the show that dark.

My Pick: Stage

I recollect the movie version suits the slave girl character meliorate, but I recall the phase version is the better costume for an opera. The moving picture version is too sedate for an opera costume and lacks the motion that a dancer'due south costume needs to prove off their grace of movement.

Left: Stage Version. Correct: Movie Version.

ii. Elissa, "Recall of Me"

During the Hannibal rehearsals, Carlotta, the opera's diva, quits. Christine takes her place.

Phase Version

Midway through the song in the phase show, Christine's slave costume transforms into the leading lady's costume. The prove does this past removing the rope skirt and switching it for a larger, grander skirt that has heavily patterned fabric, heavy embroidery, and gilded tassels.

Movie Version

The pic doesn't take the limitations of real time and a live audience, and so its version is completely different. In the movie, the costume goes from a Minoan slave girl to Empress Elizabeth of Austria. In fact, according to the FIDM exhibit brochure, "The influence for Christine'south white gown came from the famous Winterhalter painting of Empress Elizabeth of Republic of austria wearing a Worth & Bobergh ballgown covered with stars."

My Pick: Stage

As lovely equally the film costume is—and it really is very beautiful—it's out of identify in terms of the context. It makes you wonder what the motion picture version of Hannibal is about and what is going on with this character in the opera.

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Had there been some context for the costume design in the movie, it could have worked; information technology'south a beautiful costume. However, without that context, the motion-picture show makes us question things nigh the show-within-a-bear witness, and stuff like that takes you out of the feel. While both dresses are lovely, I call back the stage bear witness is better in terms of context.

Left: Movie Version. Correct: Stage Version.

3. White Dressing Gown

After Christine's triumphant debut, she wears a white dressing gown with ruffles. This dressing gown is worn during the evidence's most memorable moments: "The Mirror," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Music of the Dark," and the beginning unmasking.

Stage Version

In the stage show, Christine wears a long white robe with long sleeves. Information technology has lots of ruffles at the neckline, cuffs, hem, and along the opening. The Hannibal corset is worn under the dressing gown, adding a pop of color.

Movie Version

In the movie, Christine's "dressing gown" is more than like lingerie. Information technology consists of a sheer dress with a loftier slit, a white corset, and a white robe with ruffles and pink sequins.

It has been suggested that the corset she wears with the dressing gown is the same corset she wore with her "Call back of Me" dress. Still, the lace on the corset's neckline would be visible if it was worn with the "Call back of Me" dress—and then information technology's a unlike corset.

My Pick: Stage

While I do like the picture show costume, it doesn't work within the telescopic of the story. In the phase version, later Christine'southward debut, Raoul comes to meet her and invites her to dinner. Immediately after Raoul leaves the room, the Phantom makes his presence known and lures Christine through the mirror.

In the movie, between Raoul's invitation and the Phantom'south appearance, Christine changes into this costume. I will also signal out that, as Christine changes dress, the opera business firm goes from full to empty.

Information technology would take made more sense to either accept her get downwardly to the Phantom's lair in her "Think of Me" wearing apparel or take her alter into a dress for dinner. Or, she could have been wearing this costume prior to Raoul's entrance. The Phantom's arrival loses impact if it took him 20 minutes to react to Raoul's dinner invitation!

I recall the filmmakers wanted the scene to be dark, with a sense of foreboding preluding the Phantom's entrance, but information technology comes at the cost of pacing. Aesthetically and context-wise, I think the stage costume is better.

Left: Phase Version. Right: Movie Version.

4. Page, Il Muto

In the opera Il Muto, Christine plays a mute page who cross-dresses to fool the Count.

Both Versions

In both versions, it's a unproblematic costume that consists of a shirt and breeches. The film version has some extra frills, buttons, and pastel stripes, as yous can see above.

My Pick: Motion-picture show

In that location is non much to this costume, merely I remember I like the movie version improve; it's a piddling bit more fun and colorful. It also seems like information technology fits the aesthetic of Il Muto.

Left: Film Version. Right: Stage Version.

v. "All I Ask of You"

During Il Muto, the Phantom demands that Christine play the lead role of the Countess. Earlier she can take the phase, panic ensues as the Phantom murders Buquet, a stagehand. Christine and Raoul rush to the roof for condom. She tries to tell Raoul about the Phantom and her growing fear, and he tries to comfort her with his love. They and then profess their dear to each other.

Stage Version

In the stage show, Christine changes into an 18th-century gown and wears a blue cloak with ruffles.

Movie Version

In the movie, she doesn't terminate irresolute, so she goes out in a corset with pink details, a pink brim, and a red velvet cloak. This costume is sexier than its stage counterpart.

My Pick: Movie

These costumes are on the opposite sides of the spectrum; the stage version is more opulent, and the movie version is simple still sexy. Honestly, I think both are bully, merely I lean more toward the movie version.

The simplicity of the picture show costume helps convey the intimacy of the scene, every bit well as Christine's emotional fragility. Information technology besides has a Little Red Riding Hood connotation, given that she'southward being stalked by something unsafe.

Left: Movie Version. Right: Stage Version.

six. "Masquerade"

"Masquerade" occurs during a costume political party at the showtime of Act 2.

Stage Version

In the phase show, Christine goes in costume equally a "Star Princess." Her dress softly fades from pink to bluish and has lots of star details, off-shoulder ruffle sleeves, a shorter hem, and a crown.

Moving picture Version

In the movie, Christine dresses up similar . . . herself, maybe? She dresses in a pink gown with a bustle, and the dress has ruffles and flower details.

I'm non sure why she's exempt from wearing a costume at a costume party. And why is she exempt from the color scheme of the party, which is white, blackness, and gold? In that location are theories that the color reflects Christine becoming tainted by the Phantom; however, overall, this dress doesn't work inside the context of the story (again).

My Pick: Stage

The movie costume is a pretty dress, only it's not a costume for a masquerade. Though, who knows—given all the flowers on her wearing apparel, peradventure an 60 minutes before she left for the party, she just put on a ton of flowers and claimed she was a bloom. It would near brand sense, given the odd costume choices in the film.

Left: Stage Version. Right: Film Version.

7. "Wishing You Were Somehow Hither Once more"

This sequence itself differs noticeably between the stage show and the film, and the costumes are very unlike as well.

Stage Version

In the stage show, Christine wears a more "casual" dress for a few sequences ("Notes/Twisted Every Way," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and "Wandering Child").

Information technology's a blue dress with a floral print, ruffles at the cuffs, a hurry, and an apron item. She wears the dress under a blue greatcoat with a red scarf for "Wishing" and "Wandering Child." This costume is the only costume Christine wears that could be described as everyday attire.

Picture Version

In the movie, "Notes" gets split then that it occurs right after "Masquerade" and follows "Wandering Child." Christine wears a white blouse with a black bustle skirt for "Twisted Every Fashion," which is hard to become a decent picture of from the motion-picture show since information technology'southward barely visible.

During "Wishing" and "Wandering Child," Christine wears a black apparel with a plunging neckline with lace details. She wears a blackness cape with a maroon chiffon scarf worn over her head and effectually her neck.

My Option: Stage

I suppose the idea behind the motion picture costume is that it'south a mourning dress. Yet, Christine just pulls this dress off a rack in the opera house, then it's unclear if it's a costume endemic by the opera or her ain garment. Either way, the dress lacks the fine details of its stage counterpart and looks similar a stab of black on screen. Based on the context of the story, I'd say the stage version is the better costume.

Left: Phase Version. Right: Movie Version.

eight. Aminta, "The Signal of No Return"

Aminta is the character that Christine plays in the Phantom's opera, Don Juan Triumphant. She wears this costume during "The Point of No Return" and briefly during "The Terminal Lair."

Stage Version

In the stage show, Christine wear a clothes that is flamenco-inspired with a 17th-century flair. It has a ton of details, like layers of ruffles, lace, chaplet, embroidery, a shawl, etc. It's a very extravagant costume.

Moving picture Version

Conversely, the movie version is simpler and more than seductive. Christine is dressed like a stereotypical Romani. She wears a lace chemise, flower details, a dark ruddy floral corset with dewdrop trim along the hem, and a skirt with ruffle details. A cerise rose in her hair and a gilt bracelet complete the look.

My Selection: Tie

I like both looks, and, despite being so different, they exercise have a similar vibe. I think they both work within the context of the story. I take a soft spot for the stage version, just the film costume grows on me more every time I meet it.

This is a hard one, as the costumes are simply and so unlike and perform unlike functions for the mediums. Information technology's a tie!

Left: Phase Version. Right: Moving picture Version.

9. Hymeneals Gown

The wedding dress is a gown that the Phantom made for Christine. Both dresses features diagonal elements. In the stage show, there are diagonal ruffles on the skirt, and there'southward an overlay draped at an bending in the movie. Notwithstanding, beyond that, the dresses are different.

Stage Version

The stage costume has lots of lace and ruffle details, a broad waistband, a sweetheart neckline, 3/iv sleeves, buttons, and a hurry. It'southward a very opulent dress, and information technology's a dandy wearing apparel to terminate the show with.

Picture show Version

The movie dress has the aforementioned spirit as the one from the stage testify. It features an off-shoulder neckline with short sleeves. The bodice is identical to the "Call up of Me" dress. It has an asymmetrical overlay on the forepart that drapes around the side and covers the skirt, which is ruffled (much like the stage show).

My Option: Movie

The movie dress is not as opulent as the stage version, simply it's nonetheless lovely, fifty-fifty if it doesn't have the same wow factor. Despite that, I prefer it over the stage version; I similar its subtlety.

Bustle Comparison. Left: Motion picture Version. Right: Phase Version.

My Verdict: The Stage Costumes Are Better

While I do notice the motion picture's costumes to exist lovely overall, many of them don't work inside the context of the story. Compared to the stage costumes, they lack grandeur. It'due south non that a costume needs to be grand to be beautiful, but opulence helps with immersion when the majority of the costumes are themselves costumes for the fictitious operas within the musical.

I think that the stage show has the superior costumes. But what practise yous think?

Left: Film Version. Right: Phase Version.

Like shooting fish in a barrel Trivia Quiz About Christine

For each question, choose the all-time answer. The respond central is below.

1. Who designed the costumes from the 2004 moving-picture show version?
   • Colleen Atwood
   • Jenny Beaven
   • Sandy Powell
   • Alexandra Byrne
   • Ngila Dickson
2. Who originally played Christine Daaé in the musical?
   • Sarah Brightman
   • Rebecca Caine
   • Sierra Boggess
   • Marni Raab
   • Anna O'Byrne
3. What is Christine's first song?
   • "Phantom of the Opera"
   • "Think of Me"
   • "Wishing You Were Somehow Hither Again"
   • "Music of the Night"
   • "Little Lotte"
4. Where was Christine born?
   • England
   • France
   • Germany
   • Espana
   • Sweden
5. In the stage bear witness, which of Christine's costumes is coincidental everyday attire?
   • "Recollect of Me"
   • "Il Muto"
   • "Notes/Wishing Yous Were Somehow Here Again"
   • "The Betoken of No Return"
   • "Terminal Liar"

Answer Key

1. Alexandra Byrne
2. Sarah Brightman
3. "Remember of Me"
4. Sweden
5. "Notes/Wishing Yous Were Somehow Hither Again"

Interpreting Your Score

If yous got between 0 and i correct answer: You know a few things well-nigh Christine, simply there's a lot more than to learn!

If you got between 2 and 3 correct answers: You got several correct, but possibly information technology's time to scout "Phantom" once more!

If you lot got four correct answers: Yous accept a strong grasp on trivia about Christine and "Phantom."

If you got 5 correct answers: You are a bonafide Christine Daae superfan.

Which of Christine'due south costumes is your favorite?

Em on April 21, 2020:

I personally recall the stage show was amazing, specially the one with Seirra Boggesss. It was beautifully executed and even though I sometimes couldn't hear the lyric (I watched the 25th anniversary stream) I knew exactly what was happening. The catastrophe had me in tears. Seriously a jaw dropping show. The costumes made sense as well. An opera is commonly more dramatic than a basic stage prove, so all the costumes made perfect sense.

And a lot of people are dislocated about the wearing apparel, "The star princess." I agree, it looks like it belongs in the 80s, which is perfect. The movie looked more than like a fancy ball rather than a MASQUERADE Political party. The Start Princess's has a far time to come theme which is perfectly placed. The colors were vibrant because Christine has to stand out, she'south the main character.

And I call up that the stage Il Muto Page Boy costume is too superior. (I know, unpopular opinion) I experience this way because the scene is similar a nighttime time in Daae's life. She needed the atomic number 82 or she could exist at risk to The Phantom's outbursts. Cross dressing probably wasn't the most popular thing during the movie's time period, which means Daae chose to clothing darker clothes in social club to "hibernate herself". I understand her main character is a female, but it was considered a joke to society to essentially exist transgender. Which may be why she wears dark clothes likewise, to play her inner masculinity.

Another unpopular opinion: The motion picture wedding clothes was just a mess. I know, the gowns are meant to be beautiful, and the movie dress was great, but less cleavage. (I'm not saying this to exist child friendly, I'm saying it because it isn't the all-time, less cleavage and a more fitting neckline just she can have some cleavage, i have no thought what I'm saying, you lot get my point.) The hair would accept been ameliorate if it wasn't so poufy. It would look more fitting if it was more longways instead of sideways. And the phase bear witness, wow, information technology was breathtaking also. Every bit nosotros are speaking on terms of improvement, peradventure adding a necklace or a choker would add together to her otherwise bare cervix. And maybe a hairpin (like a flower that subtly hints to the movie masquerade wearing apparel) but yeah, that'southward all I got

I'm non trying to detest if people come at me. I'm only stating my opinion. I personally think that in it'south whole, the phase evidence is better. I'm sorry if I carp yous by saying that. Anyways I've talked for forever.

Enjoy the rest of the comments! :)

Gilbert Arevalo from Hacienda Heights, California on July 03, 2018:

RiverCygnet, I loved your comparison of the stage and moving picture versions of "Phantom of the Opera. It'south one of the funnest hubs I've seen. Yous had me involved from the start. I was swayed by virtually of your persuasion. Often I made my mind up by studying the photographs before reading what you had to say about them. I accept only one suggestion. Regarding the white dressing gown, that is the simply category I didn't vote. I recollect a better choice is to mail service a full view of the gown for the movie version. We but run into half the clothes. But I loved your article!

Hildy Gloom on March 26, 2015:

while the stage costumes are lovely the phase show itself is simply 1 large mess

while the picture show is perfect and that'southward a fact!

Hildy Gloom on March 26, 2015:

the motion picture is improve in every style i accept many problems with the stage show!

michael on Nov 24, 2014:

the wishing dress is so pretty and the stage production just plain rules.

anonymous on Apr 30, 2013:

The phase production. It is more historically authentic in terms of what would have been used and worn in the final nineteenth century, so the outfits were not created or sexual practice appeal as was the movie version (considering goodness forbid accuracy is actually present in a Hollywood product). Equally for he dressing gown, or robe, Christine just arrived back to her dressing room and barely had time to change into an entirely new garment as would be suggested by the moving-picture show; she tells Million about her lovely Affections of Music and near immediately Raoul comes in, invites her to dinner, and leaves. The Phantom knowing and seeing this steps into action to bring Christine to his lair before she has the chance to reunite with Raoul a flake afterward. Even with help, information technology would not make sense in terms of the time frame given within the script especially if Christine, having the Angel of Music exist in that room previous nights, knew he would announced and wanted everyone out within such a short time frame to be alone fifty-fifty if people questioned her.

The stage productions' "Masquerade" is an actual Masquerade as opposed to the movie which is more of a chiliad ball than anything; the movie scene destroyed the essence whatsoever Masquerade should have; recall about Halloween and the atmosphere that creates when people wearing apparel up and head out for fox-or-treating and other events.

anonymous on Apr xi, 2013:

I love the movie costumes the all-time cuz they scream "creative" and they too catch the idea of the true story. the don juan triumphant dress from the 2004 picture is my all fourth dimension favorite dress!

anonymous on January 31, 2013:

I call up the pic definitely had ameliorate costumes, if cipher else considering they weren't stuck in the 1980s. I never got "star princess" from the stage Masquerade outfit, only got "flower" immediately from the film. Plus, Carlotta explicitly says about the Elissa dress "Because I take not my costume for Human action 3 because somebody non terminate information technology!" which is why the costume doesn't fit the theme: it was something they had backstage and just threw on Christine. Christine was irresolute out of her costume into a new outfit to become out with Raoul during Angel of Music: she wouldn't want to wear the aforementioned corset, it would be sweaty and gross from the stage lights.

anonymous on October 06, 2012:

My favorite costume is from the 2004 flick version. I besides prefer the motion picture over the play because i feel like i could sink correct into information technology and feel as the characters do but in the play all i could think well-nigh is the excitement of it all instead of the true pregnant of the phantom of the opera. my favorite costume in when christine is on the roof singing about her love. it's a simple dress still still as elegant and beautiful with the red cape

anonymous on July 22, 2012:

Both versions has gorgeous, elegant costumes, simply my favorites include 2004 Christines dress for the start lair visit, her costume for All I inquire of you and gypsy dress in Point of no return. However, my all-time favorite is Carlottas fabled Castilian dress for the stage version!

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Source: https://hobbylark.com/performing-arts/christine-daae-costumes

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