Please note that all tickets must be purchased online in advance of the event.
This Halloween season, The Invincible Czars return to Sage Chapel to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera (1925, dir. Rupert Julian) — enlivening this early horror classic with their signature blend of eclectic instrumentation, adventurous arrangements and emotional depth.
A mysterious Phantom haunts the Paris Opera House, demanding tribute in the form of his own private box for every performance. After he encounters the young opera singer Christine Daaé — played with great grace and poignancy by Philbin — the Phantom causes murder and mayhem in his attempt to make the woman he loves a star.
The iconic moment when Mary Philbin removed Lon Chaney's mask in The Phantom of the Opera (1925) remains one of cinema’s most enduring images. Lon Chaney, known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces," delivered a career-defining portrayal of the Phantom, captivating audiences with his masterful makeup and deeply emotional performance as a troubled musical genius dismissed by society.
This special event will take place in Sage Chapel and special event pricing applies. Please note that all tickets must be purchased online in advance of the event.
Cosponsored by the Wharton Studio Museum as part of Silent Movie Month in Ithaca.
About the Invincible Czars
Hailing from Austin, Texas, The Invincible Czars have been “keeping it weird” since 2003 when they could be found playing their left-of-the-dial music in clubs like Emo’s and Stubb’s. In 2004, they stepped into the arts realm with their reimagined version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. In 2006, they began performing live silent film soundtracks at the first Alamo Drafthouse and have since blazed their own touring circuit of cinemas, colleges and performing arts center across the US and Canada. Their tastefully modern silent films soundtracks and dynamic live performances give modern day audiences a context in which to appreciate early cinema and have earned accolades from film and music buffs alike.
The Czars’ new Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is the culmination of nearly a year of meticulous composition, recording, and collaboration. The group drew inspiration from the film’s gothic visuals and haunting narrative to craft a score using their primary instruments: piano, violin, electric guitar/bass, organ, flute, drums and bass clarinet.
The fall 2025 touring roster includes:
Gregg Barbanell - foley sound effects (CA and AZ show only)
Stefan Castro del-Bosque - drums, percussion, sound effects
Phil Davidson - violin, keyboards, percussion
Wes Haynes - keyboards
Josh Robins - guitar, bass guitar, sound effects
Kevin Sakai - flute, clarinet, bass clarinet (in for Lauryn Gould)
Sage Chapel is located on Ho Plaza, Ithaca, New York, 14853. Visit our website for directions to Sage Chapel and contact
Y2luZW1hIHwgY29ybmVsbCAhIGVkdQ== with questions. Special thanks to Saorsa Wissman and Joel Harter.
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