ARTS

Phantom of the Auction: Andrew Lloyd Webber, the “Cats� and “Phantom of the Opera� composer, paid $17.7 million Wednesday for an 18th-Century painting of London by Italian artist Antonio Canaletto. Christie’s auctioneers said the price was a record for the artist as well as for an Old Master painting in London. The Tate Gallery in London had tried to purchase “Old Horseguards From St. James’ Park� before it was sold at Christie’s but failed to raise the money. Lloyd Webber, 44, is an avid art collector.