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.

CARLOTTA
Aha!

LEFEVRE
And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two
gentlemen who now own the Opéra Populaire:
Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles André.

FIRMIN
And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron,
the Vicomte de Chagny.

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.

CARLOTTA'S SERVANTS
Brava, brava!

LEFEVRE
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 love 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, did 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...

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

CARLOTTA
All day, all they want is the dancing!

LEFEVRE
Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala.

CARLOTTA
Ah, ah ha ha, alora alora alora...
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
Principessa, bella diva!

CARLOTTA
Si, si, si!

FIRMIN
Goddess of song!

CARLOTTA
E vero!

ANDRE
Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvellous aria
for Elissa in act three of Hannibal? Perhaps the signora...

CARLOTTA
Yes, monsieur Reyer?

REYER
If my diva commands.

CARLOTTA
Yes, I do!

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