And it was here that he said, "When I am in heaven, my child, I will send him to you." Well, Raoul, my father is in heaven, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music.
- Christine Daaé, The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Christine is a protagonist in The Phantom of the Opera. She is a young but talented singer, the love interest of both Raoul de Chagny and The Phantom, and the daughter of Gustave Daaé. Her surname changes throughout the adaptations, but is most commonly Daaé.
Biography[]
The Phantom of the Opera (1910)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (1910), Christine Daaé was born just outside of Uppsala, Sweden. Her mother died when she was 6 years old, and she was brought up by her father, who the novel refers to as "Daddy Daaé." They traveled to fairs where he played the violin and she sang. There, they were discovered by Professor Valérius, who took them to Gothenburg and Paris and provided for Christine's education. Christine was extremely close to her father, who told her Scandinavian fairy tales. A story featuring an "Angel of Music" was her favorite. Christine's father passed away a few years after her mother, leaving her grief-stricken despite the loving care of her "adopted" mother, Madame Valérius.
Later, she entered the Paris Conservatory and trained for four years to become a professional singer to honor her dead father and please Madame Valérius, but lost all passion for singing. When Christine arrived at the Opera Garnier, she became one of the numerous singers at the Palais de Garnier. Although considered by many to have a voice "sounding like a rusty hinge" due to her lack of passion for singing, one person found the beauty still hidden in her tone: Erik, known and feared as the mysterious opera ghost.
Erik began to tutor Christine, and he tells her that he is the Angel of Music that her father had spoken of. Christine believes him, and he is able to inspire her soul back into her voice. Christine first debuts at a gala at the opera when the singer Carlotta falls ill and she is asked to take her place.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Christine Daaé is played by Mary Philbin. Christine's role in the film remained mostly the same to the novel. The biggest departure came from her relationship with Erik. Christine was more afraid and disgusted by him, never showing him much pity or empathy. She was more open with her affections with Raoul, and confided in him more.
The original cut of the film showed more of her empathy and care to Erik, but the scenes were removed due to audience reactions.
The Phantom of the Opera (1962)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (1962), Christine Charles is played by Heather Sears. She auditioned for and was given the role of lead soprano for Lord Ambrose d'Arcy's opera by Harry Hunter, the opera house's producer, after sabotage at the opera house scared away the former lead soprano, and the two fell in love.
Later in the film, Christine kidnapped by the Phantom, who reveals he was formerly a former music professor named Petrie, and that while trying to publish his compositions, including the opera being put on by the opera house, his works had been stolen by d'Arcy. In an attempt to recover his works, his face was disfigured by etching acid, causing him to hide in the opera house, with his only goals being to hear his work performed, believing that he could help Christine do the leading role justice.
The Phantom of the Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber), Christine Daaé was originated by Sarah Brightman, as Webber had written the part for her. Her characterization is fairly close to the novel's, though some of that depends on the actress playing her. The musical frequently portrays Christine as loving both Raoul and Erik (only called "the Phantom" in the musical), but in different ways. She shares a sweet comfortable bond with Raoul, and a passionate creative loyalty to the Phantom, tainted by his psychological manipulation of her.
The Phantom of the Opera (1990 Miniseries)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (1990 Miniseries), based on The American Musical Sensation, Christine Daaé's story is changed dramatically. We don't know anything about her father or her mother, and Christine doesn't know anyone named Raoul. Instead, Phillippe de Chagny invites her to the Opera House to sing after hearing her at a fair. Christine first begins by working in the costume department, and it is when she is wandering the stage alone that Erik first hears her sing. Instead of coming to her as "The Angel of Music" in her dressing room, he approaches her in person to offer music lessons. Phillippe becomes Christine's other love interest instead of Raoul, and Christine in turn finds that she loves Erik as well. In this adaptation, Erik dies of a gunshot wound, right in front of Christine, who in return accepts him for who he truly was.
The Phantom of the Opera (Rosen & Schierhorn)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (Rosen & Schierhorn), Christine Daaé was portrayed by Elizabeth Walsh. She played the same role that she did in the original novel, with some tweaks. At the end of the story, Christine was given the choice between Erik and Raoul, with no other caveats. She chose Raoul and eloped with him, leaving Erik behind to find another girl to tutor.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)[]
In The Phantom of the Opera (2004), Christine Daaé is played by Emmy Rossum. Her characterization remained mostly the same, compared to her stage counterpart. However, she was aged down to 16 years old.
When the film was first being developed, Sarah Brightman was considered for the part but she and Webber divorced before it could be made, and Emmy Rossum was given the role instead.
Love Never Dies[]
Christine Daaé returns to the POTO universe in Love Never Dies. Set ten years after the events of POTO (ALW), Christine goes to Coney Island, with Raoul and her son Gustave, after receiving a request to sing at an amusement park, Phantasma, from the owner Mr. Y. Once Christine arrives, she meets her old friend from the Opera Populaire, Meg Giry, who is now the lead singer at Phantasma. Then Christine learns that Mr. Y is none other than the Phantom, and we learn that Gustave is actually his son, not Raoul's. Soon, Meg gets jealous of Christine when she learns that the Phantom prefers her. In the end, she kidnaps Gustave and threatens to drown him in front of everybody. The Phantom attempts to take the gun that Meg is using to threaten them away, and Meg shoots Christine in all of the confusion. The Phantom rushes to the dying Christine, and she tells him of her undying love for him. After Christine dies, the Phantom hands her body over to Raoul. Gustave then embraces the Phantom, acknowledging him as his father.