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The novel revolves around Christine Dabie, a young opera singer who achieves great success in her first appearance at the retirement night celebration for the old managers of the opera house. An old childhood friend named Raoul hears her singing and remembers his love for her. At the same time, rumors are spreading that the Paris Opera House is haunted by a ghost (or ghost) that makes itself known through malevolent actions and letters sent to directors. Some time after the celebration, the Paris Opera House decides to present the musical Faust, and assigns the main role in the work to the prima donna Carlotta, against the wishes of the Ghost. During the performance, Carlotta loses her voice and the grand chandelier in the auditorium collapses.
The ghost kidnaps Christine and takes her to his home in the cellars of the Opera House, where he introduces himself to her as "Eric." Eric intends to keep Christine at his house for a few days, hoping that she might like him. But she caused his plans to change when she removed the mask from his face, which terrified them both. She saw a face without a nose or lips, drowned in eyes, resembling a skull that dried up centuries ago and was covered with dead, yellow flesh. Eric decides to keep her with him forever, fearing that she might not come back, but when Christine asks to be released after two weeks, he agrees, but on the condition that she wears his ring and be faithful to him.
Christine tells her friend Raoul that Eric kidnapped her on the roof of the opera house. Raoul promises to take her to a far away place where Eric can never find her. Raoul tells her that he will fulfill his promise to her the next day, and Christine agrees to that. However, she feels pity for Eric and intends not to leave before singing a song for him one last time. The two leave, not knowing that Eric had listened to their conversation, and that he had become extremely jealous.
