The worldwide phenomenon of the story of “The Phantom of the Opera” has been around for more than 100 years, with the infamous phantom haunting the fictional “Opera Populaire” in Gaston Leroux’s novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical.
What many may be surprised to know is that there are quite a few haunted opera houses in the world; operas that have their own mysterious forces, perhaps from the other side.
Here are stories from five of the most haunted opera houses in the world…
5. The Springer Opera House: Columbus, Georgia
This prestigious theatre was a major artistic staple in the southern United States.
The Springer Opera House was revered for being the “greatest theatre between New York and New Orleans.” Its curtains rose for the first time in 1871.
Many of the most famous actors of their day performed there such as Oscar Wilde, Will Rogers, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Edwin Booth. Because of its cultural significance, it was decreed as a National Historic Landmark which is one of only seven theatres to be honored with that recognition.
What draws many historians and paranormal investigators to this prestigious opera house is the spirit of who they believe to be Edwin Booth.
Even though his brother John Wilkes Booth is notorious in history’s eyes, the spirit of his brother is far more playful and harmless in nature. In his life, Edwin Booth performed at the Springer Opera House in plays including “Hamlet” and “Julius Cesar."
Locals believe he truly enjoyed his time performing there which is why he chose to watch over it in the afterlife. Women report the most activity, and actors have noticed props and wardrobe pieces being mysteriously tampered with by no involvement of their own.
Orbs have also been filmed during investigations.
4. Huguang Opera House: Beijing, China
The structure that is now home to this prestigious opera house is over 200 years old with a fascinating history to its name. Built in 1807, before it became a center for the arts, it was originally the house of officials from the Qing Dynasty.
Other inhabitants who dwelled there included ministers during the reign of Emperor Qianlong.
In 1986, there was a commission put in place to preserve this historic site due to centuries of disrepair.
Its restoration was completed in 1996 and was open to the public as an opera house that same year.
Unfortunately, the builders had little idea of how to keep spirits at peace, for they gave little mind to the fact that they were building this amazing structure on top of an ancient burial site.
After WWII a well-meaning philanthropist dug up even more of that earth to build a shelter for the poor.
This undoubtedly triggered restless spirits to haunt the opera house to this day. Reports of activity consist of hearing screaming coming from the building, despite being uninhabited.
There is also a belief that if you throw a stone into the courtyard of the opera house, you will hear the disembodied voices of spirits scolding you.
3. Glyndebourne Opera House: Sussex, England
This quant opera house situated about an hour from London, was founded by John Christine and his wife Audrey Mildmay who was a singer.
Compared to our other entries, this opera house is not nearly as old as the other haunted opera houses with its first performance being held in 1934. However, this doesn’t mean it is lacking in paranormal activity.
The main opera ghost that haunts this location is of a little girl who has been present from the very beginning.
Legend has it that this little girl was the daughter of one of the theatre’s cooks who enjoyed playing in the opera house’s garden.
Tragically, one day the girl discovered a well nearby and fell in. The grisly discovery of her body was not made for some time, but it appeared that she had fallen in head-first and drowned in the water and foliage. No one heard her scream as she fell in, which has led some to believe that she may have been pushed.
Since that tragic accident, visitors and workers have often seen a young girl with a vintage dress and braids playing in the garden where she died.
2. Woodstock Opera House: Woodstock, Illinois
The Woodstock Opera House has had a long, colorful history since its creation.
The grand opening of this cultural staple was in 1890. Mysteriously enough, a fire broke out in 1914 which nearly destroyed the opera house. The suspects were two prisoners who were kept in the vaults of the theatre.
During World War II the theatre ended its performances for a time, while it served as a Red Cross station.
As interesting as those events are, the main spirit that haunts this opera house departed this world in a truly tragic manner.
Visitors and locals refer to her as Elvira.
Many believe she was a desperate actress who so yearned for a role the theatre was offering.
But, when she did not get it, she climbed to the top of the spiral staircase and jumped to her death. When she has been spotted at the theatre, she is a beautiful vision to behold with her long, golden hair that cascades down her back.
Many actresses have shared experiences of how they have had irresistible urges to climb the spiral staircase and jump for no reason.
Something else unexplained is how seat 113 is always folded down as if someone was sitting in it. When a worker inevitably goes to fold it back to its unused, upright position, it always folds up on its own.
Likewise, during performances, audience members and the staff can hear sighs and breathing coming from seat 113 which is always empty.
1. The Paris Opera House-Palais de Garnier: Paris, France
The last entry on our list is none other than the inspiration behind Gaston Leroux’s novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical.
There could not have been a better opera house to have inspired the haunting tale. It was founded in 1661 by Louis XIV to expand the arts in Paris.
During its reconstruction in 1861, an underground lake was found which impeded progress and caused intrigue amongst the builders.
Similarly to the book and musical, there were also mysterious tunnels and arches that almost looked habitable, as if someone could have lived there in the past.
Supposedly, those tunnels could have connected to the entirety of underground Paris. While visiting the opera house in 1908, Gaston Leroux heard a rumor that the architect named Erik had asked to live under the vaults of the theatre, and no one had heard from him since.
On his deathbed, Leroux even declared that “the opera ghost really existed.”
Moreover, like the book and musical, there was a soprano named Christine who was the daughter of a poor man, and like the fictional Christine, was raised at an opera house from a young age. Ironically, she never performed at the Palais de Garnier, but once she was scheduled to do so, but backed out at the last minute.
Perhaps there was a certain opera ghost she wanted to avoid. Grisly discoveries and events have occurred in the history of the Palais de Garnier, which would have kept away even the least superstitious of individuals.
Most disturbingly, bodies were found under the site of the building.
Many believe these corpses were most likely victims of The Commons group that took siege of Paris in 1871.
Not only were there bodies found, but the Paris Opera House had its own chandelier crash which claimed the life of a woman. Before these events, there was also a destructive fire that severely damaged the building.
This fire is supposedly the source of the spirit of a ballet dancer who was killed in the fire and whose pianist fiancé was horribly disfigured.
Because of his disfigurement, he was rumored to have withdrawn to the underground vaults of the opera house. Another spirit that has been witnessed outside of the Palais de Garnier is the spirit of an elderly woman who looks for her long-lost lover. Regardless of whether there are truly spirits there, there is no doubt that mystery and intrigue seep through the walls, corridors, and bowels of the Paris Opera House.
What many may be surprised to know is that there are quite a few haunted opera houses in the world; operas that have their own mysterious forces, perhaps from the other side.
Here are stories from five of the most haunted opera houses in the world…
5. The Springer Opera House: Columbus, Georgia
This prestigious theatre was a major artistic staple in the southern United States.
The Springer Opera House was revered for being the “greatest theatre between New York and New Orleans.” Its curtains rose for the first time in 1871.
Many of the most famous actors of their day performed there such as Oscar Wilde, Will Rogers, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Edwin Booth. Because of its cultural significance, it was decreed as a National Historic Landmark which is one of only seven theatres to be honored with that recognition.
What draws many historians and paranormal investigators to this prestigious opera house is the spirit of who they believe to be Edwin Booth.
Even though his brother John Wilkes Booth is notorious in history’s eyes, the spirit of his brother is far more playful and harmless in nature. In his life, Edwin Booth performed at the Springer Opera House in plays including “Hamlet” and “Julius Cesar."
Locals believe he truly enjoyed his time performing there which is why he chose to watch over it in the afterlife. Women report the most activity, and actors have noticed props and wardrobe pieces being mysteriously tampered with by no involvement of their own.
Orbs have also been filmed during investigations.
4. Huguang Opera House: Beijing, China
The structure that is now home to this prestigious opera house is over 200 years old with a fascinating history to its name. Built in 1807, before it became a center for the arts, it was originally the house of officials from the Qing Dynasty.
Other inhabitants who dwelled there included ministers during the reign of Emperor Qianlong.
In 1986, there was a commission put in place to preserve this historic site due to centuries of disrepair.
Its restoration was completed in 1996 and was open to the public as an opera house that same year.
Unfortunately, the builders had little idea of how to keep spirits at peace, for they gave little mind to the fact that they were building this amazing structure on top of an ancient burial site.
After WWII a well-meaning philanthropist dug up even more of that earth to build a shelter for the poor.
This undoubtedly triggered restless spirits to haunt the opera house to this day. Reports of activity consist of hearing screaming coming from the building, despite being uninhabited.
There is also a belief that if you throw a stone into the courtyard of the opera house, you will hear the disembodied voices of spirits scolding you.
3. Glyndebourne Opera House: Sussex, England
This quant opera house situated about an hour from London, was founded by John Christine and his wife Audrey Mildmay who was a singer.
Compared to our other entries, this opera house is not nearly as old as the other haunted opera houses with its first performance being held in 1934. However, this doesn’t mean it is lacking in paranormal activity.
The main opera ghost that haunts this location is of a little girl who has been present from the very beginning.
Legend has it that this little girl was the daughter of one of the theatre’s cooks who enjoyed playing in the opera house’s garden.
Tragically, one day the girl discovered a well nearby and fell in. The grisly discovery of her body was not made for some time, but it appeared that she had fallen in head-first and drowned in the water and foliage. No one heard her scream as she fell in, which has led some to believe that she may have been pushed.
Since that tragic accident, visitors and workers have often seen a young girl with a vintage dress and braids playing in the garden where she died.
2. Woodstock Opera House: Woodstock, Illinois
The Woodstock Opera House has had a long, colorful history since its creation.
The grand opening of this cultural staple was in 1890. Mysteriously enough, a fire broke out in 1914 which nearly destroyed the opera house. The suspects were two prisoners who were kept in the vaults of the theatre.
During World War II the theatre ended its performances for a time, while it served as a Red Cross station.
As interesting as those events are, the main spirit that haunts this opera house departed this world in a truly tragic manner.
Visitors and locals refer to her as Elvira.
Many believe she was a desperate actress who so yearned for a role the theatre was offering.
But, when she did not get it, she climbed to the top of the spiral staircase and jumped to her death. When she has been spotted at the theatre, she is a beautiful vision to behold with her long, golden hair that cascades down her back.
Many actresses have shared experiences of how they have had irresistible urges to climb the spiral staircase and jump for no reason.
Something else unexplained is how seat 113 is always folded down as if someone was sitting in it. When a worker inevitably goes to fold it back to its unused, upright position, it always folds up on its own.
Likewise, during performances, audience members and the staff can hear sighs and breathing coming from seat 113 which is always empty.
1. The Paris Opera House-Palais de Garnier: Paris, France
The last entry on our list is none other than the inspiration behind Gaston Leroux’s novel and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical.
There could not have been a better opera house to have inspired the haunting tale. It was founded in 1661 by Louis XIV to expand the arts in Paris.
During its reconstruction in 1861, an underground lake was found which impeded progress and caused intrigue amongst the builders.
Similarly to the book and musical, there were also mysterious tunnels and arches that almost looked habitable, as if someone could have lived there in the past.
Supposedly, those tunnels could have connected to the entirety of underground Paris. While visiting the opera house in 1908, Gaston Leroux heard a rumor that the architect named Erik had asked to live under the vaults of the theatre, and no one had heard from him since.
On his deathbed, Leroux even declared that “the opera ghost really existed.”
Moreover, like the book and musical, there was a soprano named Christine who was the daughter of a poor man, and like the fictional Christine, was raised at an opera house from a young age. Ironically, she never performed at the Palais de Garnier, but once she was scheduled to do so, but backed out at the last minute.
Perhaps there was a certain opera ghost she wanted to avoid. Grisly discoveries and events have occurred in the history of the Palais de Garnier, which would have kept away even the least superstitious of individuals.
Most disturbingly, bodies were found under the site of the building.
Many believe these corpses were most likely victims of The Commons group that took siege of Paris in 1871.
Not only were there bodies found, but the Paris Opera House had its own chandelier crash which claimed the life of a woman. Before these events, there was also a destructive fire that severely damaged the building.
This fire is supposedly the source of the spirit of a ballet dancer who was killed in the fire and whose pianist fiancé was horribly disfigured.
Because of his disfigurement, he was rumored to have withdrawn to the underground vaults of the opera house. Another spirit that has been witnessed outside of the Palais de Garnier is the spirit of an elderly woman who looks for her long-lost lover. Regardless of whether there are truly spirits there, there is no doubt that mystery and intrigue seep through the walls, corridors, and bowels of the Paris Opera House.
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