Carlotta:
The 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 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!
Continuing: 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.
Monsieur Firmin:
And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron,
Monsieur Andre:
The Vicomte de Chagny
Vicomte/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
Vicomte/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 Reyer:
Thank you, monsieur le Vicomte!
Once more if you please, signor
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:
Bella Diva
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, Monsieur Reyer?
Monsieur Reyer:
If my diva commands
Carlotta:
Yes, I do
