| Carlotta: |
| This trophy |
| From our saviors |
| From our saviors |
| From the enslaving force |
| Of Rome! |
| Chorus: |
| With feasting and dancing and song |
| Tonight in celebration |
| We greet the victorious throng |
| Returned to bring salvation |
| The trumpet of carthage resound |
| Hear, Romans, now and tremble |
| Hark to our step on ground |
| Hear the drums! |
| Hannibal comes! |
| Piangi/Hannibal: |
| Sad to return |
| To find the land we love |
| Threatened once more |
| By Roma’s far-reaching grasp |
| (All spoken) |
| Monsieur Reyer: |
| Gentlemen, gentlemen-- |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Rehearsals, as you can see, are underway for a new production on Chalumeau’s |
| Hannibal |
| Monsieur Reyer: |
| Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing! |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry… |
| … Ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention, thank you. |
| As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. |
| I can now tell you that these are all true… |
| Carlotta: (interrupting) |
| Ah-Ha! |
| Lefevre: (Continued) And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two |
| gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur |
| Gilles Andre. I’m sure you have read of their recent fortune in the Junk |
| business. |
| ANDRE: Scrap metal, actually. |
| MEG:(Whispering to Christine) They must be rich. |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron, |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| The Vicomte de Chagny |
| CHRISTINE: It’s Raoul. Before my father died at the house by the sea… I guess |
| you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me Little Lotte. |
| MEG: Christine, he’s so handsome. |
| Raoul: |
| My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the |
| world-renowned Opera Populaire. |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Vicomte, gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five |
| seasons. |
| Voices/Piangi: |
| Brava! Brava! |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Signor Ubaldo Piangi |
| Raoul: |
| An honor signor. I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal. |
| I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies, |
| monsieur. |
| Monsieur Reyer: |
| Thank you, monsieur le Vicomte! |
| Once more if you please, signor |
| CARLOTTA |
| He love me. He love me. Love me, love me, love me. |
| CHRISTINE |
| He wouldn’t recognize me. |
| MEG |
| He didn’t see you. |
| GIRY |
| If you please, Monsieur. |
| (The ballet continues) |
| Madame Giry: |
| We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| I see why. |
| Especially that little blond angel. |
| Madame Giry: |
| My daughter, Meg Giry |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| And that exceptional beauty |
| No relation, I trust? |
| Madame Giry: |
| Christine Daae. |
| Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, |
| Very promising. |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| Daae, did you say? |
| No relation to the Famous Swedish Violinist? |
| Madame Giry: |
| His only child. |
| Orphaned at 7 when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories. |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| An orphan, you say? |
| (singing) |
| Chorus: |
| Hannibal’s Friends! |
| The trumpeting elephant sound |
| Hear, Romans, now and tremble |
| Hark to their step on the ground |
| Hear the drums! |
| Hannibal comes! |
| (all spoken) |
| Carlotta: |
| All day! |
| All they want is the dancing! |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight’s gala. |
| Carlotta: |
| I hope he is as excited about dancing girls as your new managers, |
| Because I will not be singing! |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| What do we do? |
| Monsieur Lefevre: |
| Grovel |
| Grovel, grovel. |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| Right. |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| Principessa Bella Diva! |
| Carlotta: Si! Si! Si! |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| Goddess of song! |
| Monsieur Andre: |
| Monsieur Reyer, isn’t there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act. |
| 3 of Hannibal? |
| Monsieur Firmin: |
| Perhaps the signora-- |
| Carlotta: |
| Yes, Yes, But, NO! |
| Coz' I 'ave not my costume for Act. 3, |
| Coz' (shouting at someone) SOMEONE not finish it! |
| And I 'ate my hat |
| No, that’s better (laughs) |
| If my managers command! |
| Monsieur Reyer? |
| Monsieur Reyer: |
| If my diva commands? |
| Carlotta: |
| Yes, I do. |