[Instrumental interlude]
[CARLOTTA]
This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours
From the enslaving force of Rome!
[WOMEN]
With feasting and dancing and song
Tonight in celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation!
[MEN]
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
[Maestro Reyer stops the rehearsal]
(spoken)
[REYER]
Gentlemen, gentlemen
[Lefevre walks in with Andre and Firmin]
[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. Uh, 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 André
[FIRMIN]
And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Chagny
[RAOUL]
My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire
[LEFEVRE]
Vicomte, Gentlemen—Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now. (Brava, brava!)
Signor Ubaldo Piangi
[RAOUL]
An honor, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph
(to Reyer)
My apologies, Monsieur
[REYER]
Thank you, Monsieur le Vicomte
(to Piangi)
Once more, if you please, Signor
[CARLOTTA]
He love me!
[GIRY]
We take a particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, 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. Orphaned at seven, when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories
[FIRMIN]
An orphan, you say!
(sung)
[COMPANY]
Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests
The elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests
Dido sends Hannibal's friends!
[COMPANY with CARLOTTA & PIANGI]
The trumpeting elephants sound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
(spoken)
[CARLOTTA]
All day! All they want is the dancing
[LEFEVRE]
Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight's Gala
Oh, ohh. Allora, allora, allora. I hope he is as excited by dancing girls as your new managers. Because I will not be singing! Bye-bye, dancing girls, bye-bye
[ANDRE]
What do we do?
[LEFEVRE]
Grovel. Grovel, grovel
[ANDRE]
Right
Principessa, Bella Diva
[CARLOTTA]
Si. Si si
[FIRMIN]
Goddess of Song
[CARLOTTA]
Et bello
[ANDRE]
Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"?
Perhaps the Signora...
[CARLOTTA]
Yes, Monsieur Reyer?
[REYER]
If my diva commands
[CARLOTTA]
Yes, I do