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 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 here for a moment? As most of 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 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