Notes/Prima Donna
FIRMIN: "Mystery after gala night,"
it says, "Mystery of soprano's flight!"
"Mystified," baffled Surete say,
"We are mystified -- we suspect foul play!"
Bad news on soprano scene --
first Carlotta, now Christine!
Ah, but still at least the seats get sold --
gossip's worth its weight in gold ...
Diva tenders resignation!
Cover does a moonlight flit!
Half your cast disappears,
but the crowd still cheers!
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel --
have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!
ANDRE: Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!
FIRMIN: Andre, please don't shout ...
It's publicity!
And the take is vast!
Free publicity!
ANDRE:
FIRMIN: But Andre,
have you seen the queue?
Oh, it seems you've got one too ...
ANDRE: "Dear Andre, what a charming gala!
Christine enjoyed a great success!
We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left --
otherwise, the chorus was entrancing,
but the dancing was a lamentable mess!"
FIRMIN: "Dear Firmin, just a quick reminder:
my salary has not been paid.
Send it care of the ghost,
by return of post --
P.T.O.:
No one likes a debtor,
so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"
BOTH: Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a peurile brain!
FIRMIN: These are both signed "O.G." ...
ANDRE:
BOTH:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE: He's abusing our position!
FIRMIN: In addition he wants money!
ANDRE: He's a funny sort of spectre ...
BOTH: ... to expect a
large retainer!
Nothing plainer --
He is clearly quite insane!
RAOUL:
ANDRE:
RAOUL: I mean, Miss Daae --
where is she?
FIRMIN: Well, how should we know?
RAOUL: I want an answer --
I take it that you
sent me this note?
FIRMIN: What's all this nonsense?
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
RAOUL: She's not with you, then?
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
RAOUL: Monsieur, don't argue --
Isn't this the
letter you wrote?
FIRMIN: And what
is it that we're
meant to have wrote?
Written!
ANDRE: "Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The Angel of Music
has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her
again."
RAOUL: If you didn't write it, who did?
CARLOTTA:
ANDRE:
CARLOTTA:
CARLOTTA/PIANGI:
RAOUL:
CARLOTTA: I have your letter --
a letter which I
rather resent!
FIRMIN:
RAOUL:
ANDRE:
CARLOTTA/PIANGI:
RAOUL:
FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA: You dare to tell me
that this is not the
letter you sent?!
RAOUL: And what is it that I'm
meant to have sent?
"Your days
at the Opera Populaire are
numbered.
Christine Daae
will be singing on your behalf
tonight.
Be prepared
for a great misfortune,
should you attempt
to take her place."
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Far too many
notes for my taste --
and most of them
about Christine!
All we've heard since we came,
is Miss Daae's name ...
GIRY:
FIRMIN: In which case, I think
our meeting is adjourned.
ANDRE: Where precisely
is she now?
GIRY: I thought it best
that she went home ...
MEG:
RAOUL:
GIRY: No, monsieur,
she will see no one.
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: Will she sing?
Will she sing?
GIRY:
RAOUL/CARLOTTA/ANDRE:
FIRMIN: Please!
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you
several notes
of the most amiable nature,
detailing how
my theatre is to be run.
You have
not followed my
instructions.
I shall give you one
last chance ... "
PHANTOM: ... shall give you one last chance ...
Christine Daae has returned
to you,
and I am anxious her career
should progress.
In the new production of
"Il Muto", you will therefore cast
Carlotta as the Pageboy,
and put Miss Daae
in the role of the Countess.
The role which Miss Daae plays
calls for charm and appeal.
The role of the Pageboy is silent --
which makes my casting,
in a word, ideal.
I shall watch the performance
from my normal seat in Box Five,
which will be kept open for me.
Should these commands
be ignored,
a disaster beyond your
imagination will occur ...
FIRMIN: "... I remain, gentlemen, your
obedient servant, O.G."
MEG:
CARLOTTA:
ANDRE:
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: It's all a ploy to
help Christine!
FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA: I know who sent this
The Vicomte -- her lover!
RAOUL: Indeed? Can you believe this?
ANDRE:
PIANGI:
CARLOTTA:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
CARLOTTA:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN: Miss Daae will be playing
the Pageboy -- the silent role ...
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Carlotta will be playing
the lead!
PIANGI:
CARLOTTA: It's useless trying to appease me!
PIANGI:
CARLOTTA: You're only saying this
to please me!
PIANGI:
CARLOTTA: I will not listen!
You thus insult the honour
of your prima donna?
CARLOTTA/PIANGI:
GIRY: Who scorn his word,
beware to those ...
CARLOTTA:
GIRY: The angel sees,
the angel knows ...
RAOUL: Why did Christine
fly from my arms ... ?
MEG:
CARLOTTA:
ANDRE/FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA:
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Please, Signora
we beseech you ...
GIRY: This hour shall see
your darkest fears ...
MEG/RAOUL:
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: This is uncalled-for for!
This is unfounded!
This is unheard of!
GIRY: The angel knows,
the angel hears ...
RAOUL:
CARLOTTA: You are unthinking!
You are unfeeling!
PIANGI: They are unthinking.
They are unfeeling.
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr ...
RAOUL/GIRY/MEG: What new surprises
lie in store ... ?
ANDRE/FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA/PIANGI:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA: Would you not
rather have your
precious little
ingenue?
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Signora, no!
the world wants you!
Prima donna,
first lady of the stage!
Your devotees
are on their knees
to implore you!
ANDRE: Can you bow out
when they're shouting
your name?
FIRMIN: Think of how they all
adore you!
BOTH: Prima donna,
enchant us once again!
ANDRE:
FIRMIN: And of the queues
of the theatre!
BOTH: Can you deny
us the triumph
in store?
Sing, prima donna,
once more!
RAOUL: Christine spoke of an angel ...
CARLOTTA: You took a snub
but there's a public
who need you!
GIRY: She has heard the voice
of the angel of music ...
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Those who hear your voice
liken you to an angel!
CARLOTTA: Think of their cry
of undying
support!
RAOUL: Is this her angel of music ... ?
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
CARLOTTA: Follow where the limelight
leads you!
PIANGI: The limelight once again
shall shine upon her.
MEG: Is this ghost
an angel or madman ... ?
RAOUL:
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Leading ladies are a trial!
CARLOTTA: Prima donna,
your song shall never die!
PIANGI: When she sings we see heaven
MEG: Voice of hell, or of heaven ... ?
GIRY: Heaven help you,
those who doubt ...
CARLOTTA: You'll sing again,
and to an unending
ovation!
RAOUL: Order! Warnings!
Lunatic demands!
GIRY: This miscasting
will invite damnation ...
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Tears ... oaths ...
lunatic demands
are regular occurrences!
PIANGI: Unending ovation
now and always ...
MEG: Bliss or damnation?
Which has claimed her?
CARLOTTA: Think how you'll shine
in that final
encore!
Sing, prima donna,
once more!
GIRY: Oh fools,
to have flouted his warnings!
RAOUL:
PIANGI: Surely heads will roll ...
MEG: Surely he'll strike back ...
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Surely there'll be further scenes -
worse than this!
GIRY: Think, before
those demands are rejected!
RAOUL: ... I must see
these demands are rejected!
PIANGI: If his threats and
demands are rejected.
MEG: ... if his threats
and demands are rejected!
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Who'd believe a diva
happy to relieve a
chorus girl,
who's gone
and slept with her patron?
Raoul and his soubrette,
entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
he must have been with her!
MEG/RAOUL: Christine must be protected!
PIANGI/GIRY: Honour must be protected!
CARLOTTA: Deposed! Rejected!
Reappraised
and re-elected?
ANDRE/FIRMIN: You'd never get away
with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung
and in a foreign tongue,
it's just the sort of story
audiences adore, in
fact, a perfect opera!
RAOUL:
PIANGI:
GIRY: This is a game
you cannot hope to win!
RAOUL: And in Box Five
a new game will begin ...
GIRY: For, if his curse
is on this opera ...
MEG: But if his curse
is on this opera ...
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Prima donna,
the world is at your feet!
A nation waits,
and how it hates
to be cheated!
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: The stress that falls upon a
famous prima donna!
Terrible diseases,
coughs and colds and sneezes!
Still, the dryest throat
will reach the highest note,
in search of a perfect opera!
MEG/GIRY: ... then I fear the outcome ...
RAOUL: Christine plays the Pageboy,
Carlotta plays the Countess ...
GIRY: ... should you dare to ...
MEG: ... when you once again ...
ALL: Light up that stage
with that age-old
rapport!
Sing, prima donna,
once more!
PHANTOM: So, it is to be war between us! If these
demands are not met, a disaster beyond
your imagination will occur!
ALL:
Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh
RAOUL:
Gentlemen, if you would
care to take your seats ...
I shall be sitting in Box Five.
ANDRE: Do you really think that's
wise, monsieur?
RAOUL: My dear Andre,
there would
appear to be no seats available
other than Box Five.
CONFIDANTE:They say that this youth has set my Lady'sheart aflame!
1ST FOP:His Lordship sure would die of shock!
2ND FOP:His Lordship is a laughing-stock!
CONFIDANTE:Should he suspect her, God protect her!
ALL THREE:Shame! Shame! Shame!
This faithless lady's bound for Hades!
Shame! Shame! Shame!
ANDRE: Nothing like the old operas!
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:
ANDRE:
FIRMIN:Hardly a disaster beyond all imagination!
COUNTESS:Serafimo - your disguise is perfect.
Who can this be?
DON ATTILIO:Gentle wife, admit your loving husband.
My love - I am called to England on affairs of State,
and must leave you with your new maid.
(Aside) Though I'd gladly take the maid with me.
COUNTESS: (aside)The old fool's leaving!
DON ATTILI0: (aside)I suspect my young bride is untrue to me.
I shall not leave, but shall hide over there to observe her!
Addio!
COUNTESS:
BOTH:
CARLOTTA: Serafimo!
Away with this pretense!
You cannot speak, but kiss
me in my husband's absence!
Poor fool, he makes me laugh!
Time I tried to get a better
better half!
Poor fool, he doesn't know!
If he knew, the fool, he never
would have gone!
PHANTOM: Did I not instruct that Box Five
was to be kept empty?
MEG:He's here: the Phantom of the Opera ...
CHRISTINE: It's him! I know it, it's him!
CARLOTTA: Your part is silent ... little toad!
PHANTOM: A toad, madame? Perhaps it is you
who are the toad!
CARLOTTA: Serafimo!
Away with this pretense!
You cannot speak, but kiss
me in my ... croak!
Poor fool, he makes me laugh!
Croak! Croak!
PHANTOM: Behold! She is singing to bring
down the chandelier!
ANDRE: Ladies and gentlemen,
the performance will continue
in ten minutes time,
when the
role of the Countess will be
sung by Miss Christine Daae.
In the meantime, ladies and
gentlemen, we shall be giving you
the ballet from Act Three of tonight's
opera.
Maestro, the ballet, NOW!
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE: No, we must go up! To the roof!
ANDRE: Ladies and gentlemen, please! Remain
in your seats! Do not panic! It was an
accident, simply an accident!
Why Have You Brought Me Here?/Raoul, I've been there
RAOUL:
Why have you brought me here?
CHRISTINE: Don't take me back there!
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE: He'll kill me ...
His eyes will find me there!
RAOUL: Christine, don't say that ...
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE: And if he has to kill
a thousand men ...
RAOUL: Forget this waking nightmare ...
CHRISTINE: The Phantom of the Opera
will kill and kill again ...
RAOUL: This Phantom is a fable
Believe me ...
there is no Phantom of the Opera!
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE: I can't escape from him ...
RAOUL: Whose is this voice you hear?
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
BOTH: And in this labyrinth
where night is blind ...
the Phantom of the Opera is here
Inside your/my mind ...
RAOUL: There is no Phantom of the Opera!
CHRISTINE: Raoul, I've been there ...
to his world of unending night ...
to a world where the daylight
dissolves into darkness ...
darkness ...
Raoul, I've seen him ...
Can I ever forget that sight?
Can I ever escape from that face?
So distorted, deformed ...
It was hardly a face,
in that darkness ...
darkness ...
But his voice filled my spirit
with a strange, sweet sound ...
In that night, there was music
in my mind ...
And through music, my soul
began to soar ...
And I heard as I've never
heard before!
RAOUL: What you heard was a dream,
and nothing more!
CHRISTINE: Yet in his eyes,
all the sadness of the world ...
those pleading eyes
that both threatened ...
and adored ...
RAOUL: Christine ... Christine ...
PHANTOM:
CHRISTINE:
All I Ask of You
RAOUL:
No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.
Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you ...
CHRISTINE: Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime ...
Say you need me
with you,
now and always ...
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you ...
RAOUL: Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you -
your fears are
far behind you ...
CHRISTINE: All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night ...
and you,
always beside me,
to hold me
and to hide me ...
RAOUL: Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime ...
let me lead you
from your solitude ...
Say you need me
with you
here, beside you ...
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Christine,
that's all I ask
of you ...
CHRISTINE: Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime ...
say the word
and I will follow you ...
BOTH: Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning ...
CHRISTINE:
RAOUL:
BOTH: Love me -
That's all I ask
of you ...
Anywhere you go
let me go too ...
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you ...
CHRISTINE: I must go!
They'll wonder where I am!
Wait for me, Raoul!
RAOUL:
CHRISTINE: Order your fine horses,
be with them at the door ...
RAOUL: And soon, you'll be beside me ...
CHRISTINE: You'll guard me and you'll guide me ...
I Gave You My Music
PHANTOM:
I gave you my music ...
Made your song take wing ...
and now, how you've
repaid me:
denied me
and betrayed me ...
He was bound to love you
when he heard you sing ...
Christine ...
CHRISTINE/RAOUL: Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime ...
say the word
and I will follow you ...
Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning ...
PHANTOM: You will curse the day
you did not do
all that the Phantom asked
of you ... !
Go!!!
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