| CARLOTTA:
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| This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours from the enslaving force of Rome!
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| GIRL’S CHORUS:
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| With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration,
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| We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
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| MEN’S CHORUS:
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| The trumpets of Carthage resound! |
| Hear, Romans, now and tremble!
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| Hark to our step on the ground!
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| ALL:
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| Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!
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| PIANGI:
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| Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma’s
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| far-reaching grasp
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| REYER:
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| Gentlemen, gentlemen…
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| LEFEVRE:
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| Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau’s «Hannibal».
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| REYER:
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| Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing.
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| LEFEVRE:
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| Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen,
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| Please if I could have your attention, thank you.
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| As you know, for some weeks there have been rumours of my imminent retirement.
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| I can now tell you that these were all true and it is my pleasure to introduce
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| you to the two gentlemen
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| Who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles
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| Andre.
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| FIRMIN:
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| And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Changy
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| RAOUL:
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| My parents and I are honoured to support all the arts especially the world
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| renowned Opera Populaire
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| LEFEVRE:
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| Vicomte, Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five
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| seasons now.
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| And Signor Ubaldo Piangi.
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| RAOUL:
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| An honour, Signor. |
| I believe I’m keeping you from your rehearsal.
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| I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. |
| My apologies, monsieur.
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| REYER:
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| Thank you, Monsieur Le Vicomte. |
| Once more if you please, signor.
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| CARLOTTA:
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| He loves me!
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| GIRY:
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| We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets, monsieur
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| FIRMIN:
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| I see why, especially that little blonde angel.
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| GIRY:
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| My daughter, Meg Giry.
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| FIRMIN:
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| And that exceptional beauty? |
| No relation, I trust.
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| GIRY:
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| Christine Daa?©, promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, very promising.
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| FIRMIN:
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| Daa?©, you say? |
| No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?
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| GIRY:
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| His only child, orphan at 7, when she came to live and train in the ballet
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| dormitory.
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| FIRMIN:
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| An orphan, you say!
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| Bid welcome to Hannibal’s guests, the elephants of Carthage!
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| As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal’s friends!
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| CHORUS WITH CARLOTTA AND PIANGI:
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| The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble!
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| Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! |
| Hannibal comes!
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| ANDRE:
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| Mosieur Reyer, isn’t there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of «Hannibal»?
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| Perhaps if Signora…
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| CARLOTTA:
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| Yes… Yes…Monsieur Reyer?
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| REYER:
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| If my diva commands.
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| CARLOTTA:
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| Yes I do. |