Barry Rindhage is The Phantom Organ Player at Bay City's State Theater

Rindhage Organ Music Sets The Mood, Tone for 1925 'Silent' Phantom Flick

June 10, 2007
By: O. J. Cunningham

Barry Rindhage was all smiles as he warmed up on a vintage Rogers Organ at State Theater last Thursday night.

Rindhage was preparing to perform the music soundtrack during the Silent Movie Version of the Phantom of the Opera scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at State Theater - Part of the First Thursday Gallery Gala.

The Silent version of Phantom of the Opera was released in 1925 and starred Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin.

STORYLINE: At the Opera of Paris, a mysterious phantom threatens a famous lyric singer, Carlotta and thus forces her to give up her role (Marguerite in Faust) for unknown Christine Daae.

Rindhage, who is self-taught, was dressed in formal tuxedo for his performance later that evening as he rehearsed on the vintage Rogers Organ that had a nameplate saying it was built in 1977.

"I've been playing Theater Organ since the early 1970s," said Rindhage about his career. Rindhage said he's played Frankenmuth, Standish, the Temple Theater in Saginaw and is hoping to make a connection in Traverse City.

"You won't hear any of the actual Lloyd Webber music during my performance," Rindhage said. "The emphasis is on classical music pieces," Rindhage went on.

"But everyone will certainly recognize Boellman's Suite Gothique during the final chase scene," Rindhage added.