The Phantom of the Opera · Character

Christine Daaé

A grieving young soprano whose sudden stage triumph and secret lessons from a voice in the walls pull her between earthly love and something far stranger.

major

Also known as Christine, Daaé, little Christine, Mlle. Daaé, Mlle. Christine Daaé, poor Christine, the little Daaé

First appearance: i is it the ghost

As a major figure in The Phantom of the Opera, Christine Daaé is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned in connection with the kidnapping and the strange correspondence that the Persian provides to the narrator.

In the storyPrologueOpen this moment free

See Christine Daaé in Prologue Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Christine rises from the corps de ballet's shadow to the Opera's brightest soprano, adored by audiences and resented by rivals like Carlotta. Raised on her dead father's legends and the promise of an Angel of Music, she is credulous, affectionate, and dangerously susceptible to the sublime — exactly the temperament her unseen teacher cultivates. Her torn loyalty between Raoul's warm, human courtship and her mentor's unearthly demands drives the story's central, escalating suspense.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Christine Daaé sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Christine Daaé in i is it the ghost

Character Web

25 connections

A slice of how Christine Daaé sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Opera Management & Staff
Protagonist
Peripheral Characters & Family

+20 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the moment when Erik’s paranoia and rage peak, directly thr…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Raoul de Chagny
romantic · positive
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue… How this plays out →
Erik
psychological · negative
Mamma Valérius
family · positive
La Carlotta
rivalry · negative
The Persian
friendship · positive
Raoul de Chagny
romantic · positive
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue… How this plays out →
Raoul de Chagny
romantic · positive
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue… How this plays out →
Erik
psychological · negative
Mamma Valérius
family · positive
Erik
psychological · negative
The Persian
friendship · positive
The Persian
friendship · positive

Raoul de Chagny
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue Christine from Erik's influence.
Erik
Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity.
Mamma Valérius
Mamma Valérius is Christine's elderly, doting foster mother who raised her after her father's death.
La Carlotta
La Carlotta, the prima donna, is jealous and hostile toward Christine, who replaces her as the star soprano.
The Persian
The Persian protects Christine and helps her escape Erik's clutches, acting as a secret guardian.
Raoul de Chagny
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue Christine from Erik's influence.
Raoul de Chagny
Childhood sweethearts who rekindle their love, with Raoul fiercely trying to rescue Christine from Erik's influence.
Erik
Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity.
Mamma Valérius
Mamma Valérius is Christine's elderly, doting foster mother who raised her after her father's death.
Erik
Christine is both Erik's obsession and his victim, manipulated through his control and her fear mixed with pity.
The Persian
The Persian protects Christine and helps her escape Erik's clutches, acting as a secret guardian.
The Persian
The Persian protects Christine and helps her escape Erik's clutches, acting as a secret guardian.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Christine Daaé in i is it the ghost

In the story

Christine Daaé appears across 22 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Prologue
Mentioned in connection with the kidnapping and the strange correspondence that the Persian provides to the narrator.
II: The New Margarita
Sings a triumphant Margarita in Faust, faints, and is attended to in her dressing room; she speaks with a mysterious voice.
Box Five
Mentioned in the Ghost's letter as having genius, but being prevented from creating important parts; praised for her performance in Faust.
The Enchanted Violin
Withdraws from public performances, writes to Raoul, meets him in Perros, and prays at her father's grave.
Faust and What Followed
Referenced in Raoul's thoughts and as the subject of Carlotta's jealousy.
The Mysterious Brougham
Disappears after the performance; is said to be with her 'Angel of Music'; seen in a brougham on a lonely road; sends Raoul a letter arranging a masked ball meeting.
At the Masked Ball
Sends Raoul a note, appears as a black domino at the ball, leads him to a private box, confesses her love, and vanishes through a mirror.
Forget the Name of the Man's Voice
Defends her secrecy, refuses to reveal the voice's identity, and is terrified when Raoul says the name Erik.
XI: Above the Trap-Doors
Shows extreme nervousness and fear around trapdoors; proposes a secret engagement to Raoul; returns triumphantly to the stage after Carlotta's departure.
Apollo's Lyre
Christine narrates her abduction and imprisonment by Erik, describing her fear, anger, and eventual pity for him.
A Masterstroke of the Trap-Door Lover
Escapes with Raoul, reveals the Persian's identity, loses Erik's ring, and performs Faust nervously while fearing Erik's revenge.
The Singular Attitude of a Safety-Pin
Has disappeared from the stage during the performance; her whereabouts are unknown.
Christine! Christine!
Has disappeared after the performance; Raoul fears she has been taken by Erik.
XVIII: The Commissary, the Viscount and the Persian
Disappeared during the Prison Act of the performance; the central figure of the investigation.
The Viscount and the Persian
Abducted by Erik; the Persian confirms she is with him in the house on the lake.
Interesting and Instructive Vicissitudes of a Persian in the Cellars of the Opera
Abducted by Erik during the Prison Act; her heart belongs to Raoul; the Persian observes that Erik fills her mind with terror.
In the Torture Chamber
Bound and imprisoned by Erik, she communicates with Raoul and the Persian, revealing the location of the keys and her failed suicide attempt.
XXIII: The Tortures Begin
Attempts to retrieve Erik's bag, pleads with him, and is forced to look through the window; she faints from the heat.
XXIV: “Barrels!… Barrels!… Any Barrels to Sell?”
Mentioned as being in the Louis-Philippe room with Erik; Raoul hallucinates seeing her.
XXV: The Scorpion or the Grasshopper: Which?
Faces the ultimatum in the Louis-Philippe room; ultimately turns the scorpion to save the audience.
XXVI: The End of the Ghost's Love Story
Christine acts as a silent, devoted nurse, reading a religious book and fulfilling her promise to be Erik's living wife.
Epilogue
Disappeared with Raoul; buried Erik and slipped a ring on his finger.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Christine Daaé unlock in the free preview.

See Christine Daaé in i is it the ghost

See Christine Daaé in Prologue