Internationally acclaimed accompanist Peter Krasinski returns to the Great Hall this Halloween season for two unique performances featuring live improvised accompaniment to classic black-and-white silent films: Phantom of the Opera and Metropolis. Krasinski will perform on John Hays Hammond Jr.’s original Chickering & Sons piano, filling the soaring acoustics of the Great Hall with an unforgettable blend of history, music, and cinematic magic. Each evening features a different film, making this a rare opportunity to experience silent cinema brought vividly to life in one of the most atmospheric settings on the North Shore.
* Sunday, October 26: Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Horror icon Lon Chaney, known as “The Man of 1,000 Faces,” plays the frightful titular character in this spectacular (but legendarily troubled) production, adapting Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel about a deformed organist who lurks about the Paris Opera House, smitten by a beautiful singer (Mary Philbin). While the film is in black-and-white, various scenes are tinted to convey various moods, and the haunting “Bal Masqué” scene was highlighted by using an early 2-strip Technicolor process. Runtime: Approximately 93 minutes Watch the Trailer Here.
* Monday, October 27th: Metropolis (1927)
Visionary director Fritz Lang delivers a dazzling and ambitious spectacle in Metropolis, the groundbreaking 1927 silent sci-fi epic set in a futuristic city divided by class. German actress Brigitte Helm stars in a dual role as Maria, a saintly advocate for the oppressed workers, and her sinister robotic double created to sow chaos among them. The story follows Freder (Gustav Fröhlich), the privileged son of the city’s mastermind, as he uncovers the grim reality beneath the glittering skyline and joins the struggle for unity.
This visually stunning production is known for its monumental sets, pioneering special effects, and striking Art Deco design. Though filmed in black-and-white, select prints feature tinted scenes to reflect mood and tone. Despite a famously troubled production and early edits that lost significant footage, Metropolis endures as one of the most influential films of the silent era and a landmark in cinematic history. Runtime: Approximately 90 minutes.
About Peter Krasinski:
Mr. Krasinski is broadly recognized as a motivating consultant for the pipe organ community, and as a conductor, organist, and music educator, whose imaginative and energetic performances elevate and inform audiences. Along with regular concert appearances, he specializes in live improvised silent film accompaniment worldwide. He has premiered the art in major venues in North America, Europe, and Asia. He is the recipient of a number of prizes, including the First Prize in Improvisation from the American Guild of Organists National Competition. House Organist of the Providence Performing Arts Center, Mr. Krasinski was the past Dean of the Boston Chapter AGO. He is Organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Providence, RI, accompanist at Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, MA, and recently presented Master Classes at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance and the Master of Sacred Music Degree from Boston University. More information on Mr. Krasinski can be found here.
