Carlotta Guidicelli

[The Phantom]

ItÂ’s our favorite Soprano that we just love to hate. But really, is she all that evil? Sometimes I think there is a little bit more to her than we realize in the musicals and the movie. Carlotta is romantic IÂ’d say, since she had a love for Piangi and was terribly upset when he died. I donÂ’t think sheÂ’s completely black hearted as some people might say. :)

[syioandthephantom]

I agree with you. I never hated Carlotta, she awlays fascinated me for some reason. She is a romantic who loses her love, alot people laugh at her when she is depressing over Piangi. I dont think she has a bad reason at all. I also think she has good reasoning to dislike Christine, who she would view as a threat to her singing career.

[kashmir]

I just find Carlotta highly amusing. I definitely don't hate her. She's a diva after all...she's just playing her part in society. heh. She is certainly not evil...she's just overly dramatic...but what can one expect? I really love her antics to be honest...they are great comic relief.

[Erik]

ah, you all beat me to it! I also do not hate her. She's a diva backed into a corner. A fresh, younger voice has now come into the picture, and has al the people screaming for "Ms. Daae". Why wouldn't she hate her?

[Angel_Of_Music0_G]

I love Carlotta! Shes funny and quite a diva!But Ifelt bad for her when Piangi died

[Ms Christine Daae]

Carlotta is a good woman with a talent who acted as she thought she should as a diva. She truly loved Piangi and her art. She found herself in a bad situation and fought back as best she could, the only whay she knew how.


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[Red_Rose_of_Tears]

Another Carlotta thread! wOOt! I most definetly do not hate the grand diva. At first I thought she was very snobby and demanding, but now my outlook on her has changed. My friend Emma asked me at school if I liked her, and I was like, "Uh..." and she was like, "I like her a lot. She's a beautiful singer, and she's funny. " So I watched the film again, and realized that she *was* a beautiful singer, and very amusing. "Bring me my doggie and-a my boxie!"

[The Phantom]

I didn't think she was that bad of a singer when I heard her character in Broadway and during the movie. She maybe didn't have the most feminine or soft voice like Christine, but she wasn't bad by any means. The thing I can say is that she was definitely a bit snobby, hehe. :)

[Erik]

Haha. But the snobb-ness is what's so funny about her. I found her very humourous, actually. She just really amused me.

Minnie Driver made me laugh, but I especially loved whoever played Carlotta in the OLC version. One of my favourite parts was Notes vs.2 on the second disc. I love her sarcasm, her attitude, and the way she accuses Christine all the time. :^D

[AAW0487]

Carlotta usually make me laugh when she freaks out over something. In the movie and Leroux's version, I dont think she's really that bad. She seems to love Piangi, and when he dies I actually really feel bad for her!!! However, if there is one Carlotta that I do not like she's in, "The Phantom of Paris." She is a little bit too persistent with trying to ruin Christine's chances of being a wonderful Opera Singer...although she never succeeds. Thanks to Erik!

I love Minnie Driver playing her role! That is always exactly the personality I pictured she would have.
:cg:

[AngelicRose]

Carlotta is my hero. She's so funny and over the top. I love it.

:cg2: :cg3: :cg1: :cg: :cg4:

[Luciana]

I, too, really loved Carlotta. Not only did she add to the humor of the movie and supply a good obstacle for both Christine and the Phantom to have to overcome in order to build Christine's career, but she also added to the depth of the movie. On first sight, most people hate her because she's just so spoiled. But when you look into her character a bit deeper, and you wonder why it is that she acts that way, and you come to the conclusions that people stated above. Christine had her fearing for her career, so she lashed out. Nearly all divas of the time were catered to past the point of sensibility, and that gave her the idea that it was right for her to act that way.

As to her voice, especially in the movie's version of 'Think of Me', I think she actually brings more to the song than Christine does. She seems to force her voice a little too much, and if she calmed down a little, I think she could have had a bit longer on the top.

[MystMoonstruck]

I love this because I think La Carlotta is a fabulous character! Actually, SHE has the operatic voice, not Christine. And, as has been said, divas are SUPPOSED to act that way!

She has wonderful moments in the film. Her grief over Piangi can make you see Erik's cruelty. Why kill the man when he could have incapacitated him instead? Also, I love the moment when Carlotta turns up her nose at other gifts in favor of a new poodle! Minnie Driver does a fantastic job. Face it: The story would be missing a lot if not for Carlotta. I've seen a couple of Phantom films minus this character, and it certainly weakened the story.

"I 'ate my 'at!" (Love it!)

I would love to read the phanphic I've heard about in which Erik helps coach an older Carlotta whose voice is fading. Awwww...

[doristelford]

I also like Carlotta; she goes over the top, but she does show that shes human. Id like to know a bit more about her past - she wasnt born as a fully grown prima donna after all. And its kind of compulsory for me to like her now after a friend told me that Id turn down all the valuable gifts in favour of a doggie as well....

[AngelofMusic122]

I love Carlotta, and Minnie Driver did an EXCELENT job of portraying her.

I agree with MystMoonstock, so (in the 2005 film), Erik kills Piangi, but incapacitates the carriage driver?

If you're going to kill anyone, kill a stranger, right? (That wasn't meant to sound as mass murder-ey as it did.)

[masquerading rose]

Anyway.... Carlotta.

I love Carlotta. She is so funny! And Minnie did a wonderful job of portraying her. Carlotta would be hard to play right?

[Taka]

Carlotta's the reason to watch the movie.


I'm planning on writing a fanfic starring Carlotta, but I can't think of any ideas. Suggestions, anyone?

[Shattered Rose]

I really love Carlotta! She gives the movie the humor it needs... and also I feel sorry for her. She looses her Prima Donna title and just after that Erik kills Piangi. I think it's sad...

[Mrs Nadir Khan]

Taka, perhaps a Piangi/Carlotta phanphic would be a good starting point? It's a rarepair, but an accepted and canon! one, so, you'll likely get attention with that.

[Isabella Delancy]

Carlotta is amazing as a character. In real life, I'd probably be extremely p'd off by her cause I can see how annoying she would come across as, at times. Many have pointed out it's her diva-esque personality, which is very true, but would make for an irritating person to be around for long periods of time.

I'm also of the opinion that there was more to La Carlotta than we ever knew. We never really get the chance to explore her background, though we know she's capable of romance, and love despite her blatent brash tendancies. *shrugs* I wish ALW or Kay had explored the character more as I think it'd be good to know a little bit more about her. That's not to say all the details should be divulged, but they could explore her background without giving away everything.

[Victoria]

I definitly think that Carlotta is very fab. She is the comic relief of story with a big ego (in a good way).

I never really hated her, sure before I was a little annoyed with her, but all in good time she grew on me :D

[masquerading rose]

Carlotta.... What can I say about Carlotta? Wow. She is amazing. She is like... my role model (Ask Cassie. She knows it's true). She is the perfect type of Prima Donna, the somewhat enemy, the comic relief, the bomb diggity... the list goes on and on. Oh God, I love her. Amo Carlotta. Lei è meravigliosa, non è? Judging by my avatar, you can see I love her... a lot. She is (after Raoul) my favortie character. I would love to play her, or Christine on Broadway. I would kill to have that role....

[Hidden Away]

Sometimes she get's on my nerves, but yet again she's the life of the stage production, from the cr--oak to the yelling and everything. it's sooo funny! I can't recall the name of the performer as the Carlotta in the Vegas perfomance I saw, but she was terifically funny! It was also funny how Vegas attitude got into the production (don't ask!) It's a bit reddening for me!

She is very pushy, snobbish, but every single production needs one! Our shcool's was our very own ShiShi! You know she's have you pinned down if you missed your que! Perhaps she'd make a wonderful Carlotta in the future! ShiShi just needs help with the wig and high notes and she's well on her way!

[sweet_intoxication]

She is mellowdramatic and I suppose that is what makes it funny to watch! And the beginning scene was very funny too!

[masquerading rose]

Ah.... Carlotta. The funniest, spunkiest, little Italian chick ever (expect for maybe Gloria). What else is there to say otehr than she is so loveable and dramatic? And, she has a great voice. I actually sort of admire her for knowing how to get what she wants, from either being nice or yelling. Carlotta is hilarious and my hero.

Fini.

[cornholianphantomess]

I love Carly,cause i'm spoiled just like her and if I could,I would steal her awesome fashion.With the diva,if nothing goes her way,everybody has to suffer.Hey,its not her fault!She's (I think)most like Erik.She's good at what she does,and wants everyone to know.Sure shes a snob but thats why we love her.When I'm not being Christine,I'm being her.And I don't know why everyone cringes when she sings "Think of Me",cause she was good!!!
Except,in the movie,she has the attitude,but not the right weight.A good diva needs to be nice and fat.The Carly I saw on stage was a little plump and she looked the part.Carly,like anyone else,wants things to go her way,but,unlike most,shes got the power to get it done!OOOOOooohhh!!!

[masquerading rose]

Since when does a diva have to be fat to be a diva? Christine was a diva, and was as skinny as a rail. I think that's a stereotype to say that diva's should or have to be fat. That isn't true.

AnyRaouls, I think it doesn't matter her weight or her looks. As long as she ca sing and act the part, that's all that counts.

[The Countess]

Ah, Carlotta is simply fabulous. Caroltta is practically the diva in me. The wrenching ego, the "I'm better than you" sparkle, everything about is is FAB (as Victoria said).

Course, it's not good to be mean to people, but what would a production, let alone an opera house, be without its diva. Lost, that's where! Carlotta keeps them in order, even if she doesn't go about it in the most kindly of matters...

[Madame le Courayer]

I found Carrie Hernandez's take on the character of Carlotta to be breathtakingly refreshing. Read her story Phantoms of the Mind from her book Angel of Music in which the saucy Carlotta Guidicelli was the original Little Lotte! It blew my mind. I never thought of Carlotta's past really but this author's got a very vivid imagination!
It is hard to imagine Carlotta as an innocent ingenue...but she must have been at one time right? The only thing I hate about the story is Christine is a total brat. I didn't think the author should have written so scathingly of our beloved heroine....:cd1:

Md. leC.

[The Countess]

That sounds very interesting, but what do you mean by 'original Little Lotte'? Did Raoul give her the nickname as well? Oh, that's juicy. Anyway, please do tell because I can't wait to just read the book! :)

[Madame le Courayer]

All I can say is get a copy of Carrie Hernandez's book Angel of Music. It explains where little Lotte came from (or CH's theory) You will be thrilled with it. It's a great companion to the original Leroux novel and Kay's book ..be warned though: you will weep at some point... :(:mask:

[maskedsinger]

Yeah, Carlotta can be a really bi***. But she is such a great character in my opinion. She is such a prima donna and everything. She over acts, over dresses, over exaggerates everything. I think its a good foil to Christine. Christine is this little chorus girl while Carlotta is this big prima donna who thinks the world revolves around her.

Also Madame le Courayer, stay on task. This is for Carlotta. I don't know if you started it or not, but this is not discussing Christine's nickname, that belongs in her thread or Raoul's.

[The Countess]

In Hannah's defense, the discussion did lead to that whilst talking about the author's rendition of Carlotta.

Has anyone seen the 1990 version of Carlotta? That one is simply diva. She has to be one of my all time favorites. AND she's married to the manager so it sheds more light on why they kept her in for so long.

[Katzenklavier]

Since I'm on a POTO board, it makes sense I might as well actually contribute to a POTO discussion. And where better than for my favorite character? I don't think my dislike for the character of Christine is exactly subtle. To be fair, though, the only major exposure I've had was that of Emmy Rossum in the whole. And I despise her. So, by comparison, the character of Carlotta comes as breath of fresh air. She clearly had held her own in a highly competitive field, using her power and influence to intimidate and control even her managers. Not only that, but even after being sabotaged by the Phantom repeatedly, she gets back on the stage like nobody's business. The woman has a will of iron. Even when the public is turning against, she doesn't break down. Not really. Sure, she throws temper tantrums and fits. But she never stops. Not until she loses the love of her life. Or at least that's how I prefer to see it.

And besides that, she's funny as hell and brings life into an otherwise grim story. It's a matter of personal preference for me. I find the comic characters often far more interesting than the typical protagonists. Kudos to Carlotta, the Prima Donna and perhaps the only character in POTO I could see myself admiring.

[tiannangel]

Yep. Agrred. Carlotta is definitely worth admiring, just look at the way she commands the whole theatre :D
Prima Donna definitely sums her up, and those lungs? You gotta admire the laldy for that set of lungs to bellow like that!

Without her, the whole story would be just so tragic, and no humour at all.
I love her!

[The Countess]

She commands the whole theater alright. Just look at the song she sings in the Y/K production. It's called "This Place Is Mine". http://youtube.com/watch?v=fbY3KMSij6Y

Fabulous performance as the diva too.

[Madame le Courayer]

Also Madame le Courayer, stay on task. This is for Carlotta. I don't know if you started it or not, but this is not discussing Christine's nickname, that belongs in her thread or Raoul's.

Actually, if you did as I suggest and read the Carrie Hernandez book, you will see that my comment is perectly apropos to this thread. It has nothing to do with Christine. It was Carlotta's nickname in that book. :D Check out posts 29 and 30.

[angelgirl]

Carlotta Gudicelli? How do I even begin to explain Carlotta Gudicelli? She's funny. She's a total diva and I love the way Minnie portrayed her in the movie. Her diva fits are so hysterical! She definetly provides most of the humor for the movie.
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A.G.

[Trix]

I love Carlotta.
First couple times I watched the movie/saw the play I thought she was an annoying cow. But then I started to really appreciate the humor and lightness she brings to the story.

Not to mention, everyone has that one person in their lives they think of as a "Carlotta"

[witch]

I agree there are things to look up to in Carlotta her command, not letting anyone walk all over her but there are things about her I hate as well.
She seems to look down her noise at everyone and the "Star" (even though she is)
I think she adds to the story yes and I couldn't think of her without it but in truth I think she really would be on my last nerve if she was real and I knew her.

[Hidden Away]

I remember the first time I met such a character. she seemed so snobbish and very diva-ish, but now she's just like people at my school. They can act in such a way, but then again she's seems slightly insecure. It's a shame to see actors this way, but at least Piangi is by her side. An intersting relationship that they are in, but you know that is discussed in a different thread.

[The Countess]

I think Carlotta is very misinterrputed and very underated at times. Damn ALW, he complelty smudged her original character. Carlotta wasn't even supposed to be a terriable singer. She was actually supposed to be fairly decent in the book. Poor Carlotta...

Anyway she was a diva none the else and that is the thing to admire most about her.

[Hidden Away]

Actually it only seems that the movie wants to interpret her as a terrible singer. In the Vegas and, from what my parents say, in the NYC version they showed her as a very popular performer/singer, but she want overthrown by Daae. Pity.

[The Countess]

Well in many other versions, she's protrayed in such away. Ex: Dance, Argento, and of course 2004 as you mentioned.

I have yet to see the New York or Vegas version but I suppose it's also the actress's interitation of the role.

[Hidden Away]

Since each actress that had played as Madame Giry has their own idea of her it's just hard to actually narrow the character down to one personality. Dancer? I've never heard of it, only when she was a young Giry had I heard such a thing. where did you see/read that? it's interesting.
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DAYS LATER

Wow I feel stupid. I repost what I really meant a few posts after this....

[The Countess]

I was actually talking about the Charles Dance/1990 version. Sorry for the mix up.

Why are we talking about Madame Giry? :unsure:

[Hidden Away]

Since each actress that had played as Madame Giry has their own idea of her it's just hard to actually narrow the character down to one personality. Dancer? I've never heard of it, only when she was a young Giry had I heard such a thing. where did you see/read that? it's interesting.


I was actually talking about the Charles Dance/1990 version. Sorry for the mix up.

Why are we talking about Madame Giry? :unsure:

Buhaha, because I saw dancer I immediately thought Mme Giry. Well Now back to Carlotta...yes she has been a dancer in other version. But I afraid I have not seen Charles's version...Huum, only my mind would make an assumption such as that one ;)

[The Countess]

The Dance version Carlotta is really hysterical. She's probably my favorite interpitation of the role even though she's not really like the character in the book *purist purist purist*. I think that the entire movie is posted somewhere on youtube. You should take a look at it. 'Tis a Phantom essential.

[Hidden Away]

Hysterical, why do you say? I've seen her as someone that pursues something and does anything to go to the top. Why not with dance?

[The Countess]

I've always found Carlotta to be funny, what with her diva mannerisms and temper tantrums, but esecially in the Charles Dance version, the banter that she exchanges her husband, the manager, is hysterical.

[Hidden Away]

She can be the comic relief, but giving her a serious air is what I usually do to most funny people in shows/movies/etc. I actually found the managers funnier than her, but that's just my POV.

When Carlotta is actually portrayed as a great sing (unlike the 2004 movie) then she actually is a that is in a fight with the main character, but in the 2004 movie where she was even more dramatic she was just really funny.

This is one of those characters that change from performer to performer and so it just varies on what you have seen or heard.

[The Countess]

I think for the most part, Carlotta is often just the comic relief. I've never seen her used as a hard-core antagonist. Though in the Charles Dance version, she does get QUITE nasty.

[Hidden Away]

I don't see her as an antagonist at all, but she's just again the main character, she does hate her for her, but she hates Christine because she's taking the spotlight. She didn't do anything to Daae, but she just eventually left for a while.

She's not the bad 'guy', but she is someone that has something again the main character.

[The Countess]

I think Carlotta (using literary devices) was just conflict in Christine's life. It was man vs. man (or woman vs. woman in this case I suppose). It's interesting that a more minor character had such a big impact on the story. In the book, if it weren't for Carlotta, the infamous chandelier never would have crashed. In the musical, if she hadn't stormed off, Christine never would have gotten a chance in the spot light. I guess she's a pretty important character when you look at it like that.

[Hidden Away]

True true...but just because she was stubborn and a threat to Daae's career it doesn't mean that she was Christine's only problem. I personally think that she didn't have a problem with Carlotta besides her attitude.

Carlotta seems like me because we become easily jealous of our competition and we are dramatic ;) yea cynical!