Organist

For Halloween, organist Dorothy Papadakos accompanies a screening of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 vampire classic Nosferatu — an iconic, unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula almost erased from history, starring the unforgettable Max Schreck as Count Orlok.

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Nosferatu

Grace Cathedral

The sacred space of Grace Cathedral will transform into a grand movie palace for a special screening of Rupert Julian’s immortal 1925 silent horror classic, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney and featuring a live score performed on Grace’s famous pipe organ by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos.

The Phantom of the Opera

Step into the suspenseful world of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lodger,” his first true hit, in this edge-of-your-seat experience. Join audience favorite Dorothy Papadakos as she improvises a mesmerizing live organ accompaniment to this 1927 silent classic.
 
With its haunting atmosphere, “The Lodger” is a perfect match for the dramatic sounds of the Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman Casavant organ. Papadakos expertly brings the film to life with music improvised in real time, offering a unique blend of cinematic history and live performance. A must-see for classic film enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone who craves a fresh, immersive experience.

Dorothy Papadakos: The Lodger

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Dorothy Papadakos mesmerizes with her interpretation of the silent horror classic Nosferatu. Juilliard-trained Papadakos is internationally renowned as one of the great organ improvisers of our time. Celebrated for her silent film screenings, improvising on Spivey Hall’s Albert Schweitzer Memorial Organ by Ruffatti of Padua, Italy.

Dorothy Papadakos, organ, Nosferatu (1922 film)

Clayton State University

Keystone Cops style with very funny pranks ’n pratfalls are featured in this silent film and organ classic performed by improv virtuoso, Dorothy Papadakos.  Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp escapes from prison; saves a girl and her mother from drowning; and creates havoc at a swank party.

Dorothy Papadakos (Charlie Chaplin's The Adventurer)

The sacred space of Grace Cathedral will transform into a grand movie palace for a special Halloween screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent thriller The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog featuring an original live score performed on Grace’s famous pipe organ by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos.

Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog'

“Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror” (1922) was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Nearly all copies of the film were destroyed under court order, but one print survived and came to be regarded as a masterpiece. Celebrate Halloween by experiencing this bizarre and chilling silent film classic on the giant Helzberg Hall screen with live thundering accompaniment by organist Dorothy Papadakos on the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ. If you liked last season’s sold-out “Phantom of the Opera” silent film with organ concert, you’ll love “Nosferatu.” Costumes encouraged! 

The sacred space of Grace Cathedral will transform into a grand movie palace for a special Halloween screening of John S. Robertson’s 1920 adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novella of a doctor wrestling with split identities, starring John Barrymore and featuring a live score performed on Grace’s famous pipe organ by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos.

A member of the GRAMMY-winning Paul Winter Consort and former Cathedral Organist of New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Papadakos has accompanied the greatest silent films in venues around the world.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Spend a frightful yet delightful evening in Helzberg Hall. With live organ accompaniment, this classic 1929 silent film starring Lon Chaney tells the creepy tale of a demented organist lurking in the catacombs beneath the opera house. The entire movie is shown on the giant Helzberg Hall screen, with acclaimed organist Dorothy Papadakos providing the spooky soundtrack on the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ.

Organist

Dorothy Papadakos

Events

Past events

Oct 31, 2025

Nosferatu · San Francisco Jazz

Oct 30, 2025

The Phantom of the Opera · San Francisco Jazz

About

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