by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer

The Phantom is coming to Sewanee — “The Phantom of the Opera,” that is. At 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, David Briggs will perform an impromptu accompaniment alongside a showing of the silent film classic, “Phantom of the Opera.”

Briggs will also perform the Eucharist at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27.

Briggs is an English organist and composer and started his career as a cathedral organist. His film repertoire is ever-expanding, as he has accompanied films such as Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis,” Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lodger” and short films by both Charlie Chaplain and Buster Keaton.

Briggs is also currently the artist in residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

“He was last here in 2008 as a sabbatical replacement for Dr. Robert Delcamp. This will be the 287th time that he has improvised [The Phantom], and I feel that experiencing the film in this way breathes new life into the silent film genre as a whole,” said Geoffrey Ward, University organist and choirmaster.

Ward spoke to Briggs’ brilliance at the organ, noting that it takes an innovative mind to continuously improvise, matching both the tone and the pacing of a film, for multiple hours on end. “The community is going to experience a movie in the most beautiful and spacious building on campus — All Saints’ Chapel, where we host worship services, academic services and recitals.

This is a great opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy beautiful music and film in an inspiring space,” Ward said. “The mystery of the phantom is ever-present, and we hope to see students, staff, faculty and families come to enjoy this unique experience.”

Popcorn will be served to accompany the performance, which is free and open to the public. To read more about Briggs go to <www.david-briggs.org>.