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