The man who rules the Paris Opera House in the late 19th century is known only as "the Phantom" to the public. Gifted with musical genius but cursed with a monstrous face, the Phantom lives in hiding beneath the opera house. One day, he hears the celestial voice of Christine Daae and is instantly smitten by her. Determined to make her his opera`s new starlet, he secretly begins to give her lessons. Carlotta, the opera house`s resident diva, is overcome with jealousy and makes plans to ruin Christine`s debut performance. The Phantom is enraged when he finds out and tries to teach her a lesson, terrorising the entire opera in the process.