<P> Carlotta is a fictional character from Gaston Leroux's 1909 novel The Phantom of the Opera . </P> <P> In the novel, she is a minor character hailing from Spain . The first time that she is mentioned in the novel is during the chapter "The New Marguerite", where it is revealed that she could not perform at the ceremony for the former managers . Later in the novel, she is threatened by Erik that if she performs at the Opera House "a great misfortune will strike". She shrugs the warning off and performs anyway . When she does, however, croaking noises come out of her mouth and the chandelier comes crashing down . Ashamed, she hides from the public view for a few weeks, before making a return to the opera house . </P> <P> Carlotta is portrayed by Virginia Pearson in the original 1925 silent film with Lon Chaney . In 1929, new sound scenes were filmed and Mary Fabian was recast as Carlotta, due to the fact that she could sing . Virginia Pearson still appeared in new scenes, now playing Carlotta's mother . These changes are also the same in the 1929 silent, foreign cut of the film (which is most commonly viewed). </P> <P> In the 1943 film version, she is Mme . Biancarolli who has been drugged by the Phantom and murdered along with her maid when she tries to force him to take off his prop mask . </P>

Who plays carlotta in phantom of the opera