Is the phantom of the opera based on a true story?

Question:The musical is based on the novel Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. The plot of the musical and the novel are very different. Parts of the novel are true, such as there is a real man made lake underneath the opera house that is still there today (you need a permit or something to get down there though). Also events such as in 1896 in Paris one of the counterweights for the chandelier broke causing it to come crashing in the front orchestra seats and one person was killed. And after this for the next 108 years they were back to doing simple ballet's. And the fact that Gaston Leroux defended his story on his death bed and told his friend that the Opera Ghost really existed. If you haven't read the novel I would really recommend doing so it's written like a report and there are several points backing up the existence of the phantom (Erik).
And more info here's a Phantom fansite with a forum on the existence of Erik http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules...
Sorry rambling answer!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The musical is based on the novel Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. The plot of the musical and the novel are very different. Parts of the novel are true, such as there is a real man made lake underneath the opera house that is still there today (you need a permit or something to get down there though). Also events such as in 1896 in Paris one of the counterweights for the chandelier broke causing it to come crashing in the front orchestra seats and one person was killed. And after this for the next 108 years they were back to doing simple ballet's. And the fact that Gaston Leroux defended his story on his death bed and told his friend that the Opera Ghost really existed. If you haven't read the novel I would really recommend doing so it's written like a report and there are several points backing up the existence of the phantom (Erik).
And more info here's a Phantom fansite with a forum on the existence of Erik http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules...
Sorry rambling answer!

No, but I guess it could be

No, it's based on a classic novel that expands upon the legend of the Paris sewers (which are real) and the Paris opera house (which is also real). Fictional story though.