<P> The Phantom of the Opera's origins came from Leroux's curiosity with the phantom being real . In the prologue he tells the readers about the phantom and the research that he did to prove the truth of the ghost . His detailed account tells the audience of why he believes this phantom and the in - depth research he did to uncover what he believed to be the truth . His findings connected the corpse from the opera house to the Persian phantom himself . The claims from the prologue of his novel were ones that Leroux held onto even up until his death in 1927 . </P> <P> The setting of The Phantom of the Opera came from an actual opera house that Leroux had heard the rumors about from the time the opera house was finished . The details about the Palais Garnier and the rumors surrounding it are ones that are closely linked in Leroux's writing . The underground water tank that he had written about is one that is accurate to this opera house and is used only today by firefighters training . The mystery that Leroux uses in his novel about the phantom are ones that still are a mystery to this day . </P> <P> In Paris in the 1890s, the Palais Garnier opera house is believed to be haunted by an entity known as the Phantom of the Opera, or simply the Opera Ghost . A stagehand named Joseph Buquet is found hanged and the rope around his neck goes missing . At a gala performance for the retirement of the opera house's two managers, a young little - known Swedish soprano, Christine Daaé, is called upon to sing in the place of the Opera's leading soprano, Carlotta, who is ill, and her performance is an astonishing success . The Vicomte Raoul de Chagny, who was present at the performance, recognizes her as his childhood playmate and recalls his love for her . He attempts to visit her backstage, where he hears a man complimenting her from inside her dressing room . He investigates the room once Christine leaves, only to find it empty . </P> <P> At Perros - Guirec, Christine meets with Raoul, who confronts her about the voice he heard in her room . Christine tells him she has been tutored by the Angel of Music, whom her father used to tell them about . When Raoul suggests that she might be the victim of a prank, she storms off . Christine visits her father's grave one night, where a mysterious figure appears and plays the violin for her . Raoul attempts to confront it but is attacked and knocked out in the process . </P>

When did the phantom of the opera take place