The Point of No Return – Phantom of the Opera

Prologue-The Stage of the Paris Opera, 1911

AUCTIONEER:

Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you.
• Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen:
  a poster for this house’s production of “Hannibal” by Chalumeau.

PORTER:

Showing here.

AUCTIONEER:

Do I have ten francs? Five then. Five I am bid.
• Six, seven. Against you, sir, seven.
  Eight. Eight once. Selling twice.
  Sold, to Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.

  Lot 664: a wooden pistol and three human skulls
  from the 1831 production of “Robert le Diable” by Meyerbeer.
  T
  en francs for this. Ten, thank you.
  Ten francs still.
  Fifteen, thank you, sir Fifteen I am bid.
  Going at fifteen.
  Your number, sir?

  665, ladies and gentlemen:
  a papier-mache musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ.
  Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals.
  This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order.

PORTER:

Showing here.

AUCTIONEER:

May I start at twenty francs? Fifteen, then?
• Fifteen I am bid. Sold, for thirty francs to the Vicomte de Chagny.
  Thank you, sir.

RAOUL:

A collector’s piece indeed . . . every detail exactly as she said . . .
• She often spoke of you, my friend ….Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead…
  Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?

AUCTIONEER:

Lot 666, then: a chandelier in
pieces.
• Some of you may recall the
  strange affair of the Phantom of
  the Opera:
  a mystery never fully
  explained.
  We are told, ladies and
  gentlemen,
  that this is the very
  chandelier which figures in the
  famous disaster.
  Our workshops
  have repaired it and wired parts
  of it for the new electric light,
  so
  that we may get a hint of how it
  may look when reassembled.
  Perhaps we may frighten away the
  ghost of so many years ago
  with a
  little illumination, gentlemen?

Hannibal

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:

Signor . . . if you please: “Rome”.
• We say “Rome’ not “Roma”

PIANGI:

Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me.

LEFEVRE:

This way, gentlemen, this way.
• Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau’s “Hannibal”.
  Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met M. Andre and M. Firmin …

REYER:

I’m sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing.
• If you wouldn’t mind waiting a moment?

LEFEVRE:

My apologies, M. Reyer. Proceed, proceed …

REYER:

Thank you, monsieur.
• “Sad to return…” Signor …

LEFEVRE:

M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I’m afraid.

PIANGI:

Sad to return to find the land we love
• threatened once more by Rome’s far-reaching grasp.
  Tomorrow, we shall break the
  chains of Rome.
  Tonight,
  rejoice – your army has come
  home.

LEFEVRE:

Signor Piangi, our principal tenor.
• He does play so opposite La Carlotta.

GIRY:

Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?

LEFEVRE:

My apologies, Mme. Giry.
• Mme. Giry, our ballet mistress.
  I don’t mind confessing, M. Firmin, I shan’t be sorry to be rid of the whole blessed business.

FIRMIN:

I keep asking you, monsieur, why exactly are you retiring?

LEFEVRE:

We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets.

ANDRE:

Who’s that girl, Lefevre?

LEFEVRE:

Her? Meg Giry, Madame Giry’s daughter.
• Promising dancer, M. Andre, most promising.

GIRY:

You! Christine Daaé! Concentrate, girl!

MEG:

Christine . . . What’s the matter?

FIRMIN:

Daaé? Curious name

LEFEVRE:

Swedish.

ANDRE:

Any relation to the violinist?

LEFEVRE;

His daughter, I believe.
• Always has her head in the clouds, I’m afraid.

CHORUS:

Bid welcome to Hannibal’s guests -the elephants of Carthage!
• As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal’s friends!

CARLOTTA:

Once more to my welcoming arms
my love returns
in splendour!

PIANGI:

Once more to those
sweetest of charms
my heart and soul
surrender!

CHORUS:

The trumpeting elephants sound —
hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground —
hear the drums!
Hannibal drums!

LEFEVRE:

Ladies and gentlemen – Madame Giry, thank you – may I have your attention, please?
• 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 to you
  the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.
  Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now.

ANDRE:

Of course, of course. I have experienced all your greatest roles, Signora.

LEFEVRE:

And Signor Ubaldo Piangi.

FIRMIN:

An honour, Signor.

ANDRE:

If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of “Hannibal”.
• I wonder, Signora, if, as a personal favour, you would oblige us with a private rendition?
  Unless, of course, M. Reyer objects . . .

CARLOTTA:

My manager commands . . . M. Reyer?

REYER:

My diva commands. Will two bars be sufficient introduction?

FIRMIN:

Two bars will be quite sufficient

REYER:

Signora?

CARLOTTA:

Maestro.

CARLOTTA:

Think of me,
think of me fondly
• when we’ve said goodbye …
  Remember me,
  Every so often,
  Please promise me
  you’ll try …

  On that day,
  that not so
  distant day,
  when you are far away
  and free,
  if you ever find
  a moment,
  spare a thought
  for me …

  Think of me, think of me…

CHORUS:

The Phantom of the Opera!
He’s with us, he’s a ghost …
• He’s here!
  The Phantom of the Opera!

LEFEVRE:

Signora! Are you all right? Buquet! Where is Buquet? Get that man down here!

Chief of the flies. He’s responsible for this.

Buquet! For God’s sake, man, what’s going on up there?

BUQUET:

Please monsieur don’t look at me:
• as God’s my witness,I was not at my post.
  Please monsieur, there’s no one there:
  and if there is, well then, it must be a ghost . . .

MEG:

He’s there; the Phantom of the Opera …

ANDRE:

Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy?

FIRMIN:

Mademoiselle, please …

ANDRE:

These things do happen!

CARLOTTA:

Si! These things do happen!
Well, until you stop these
things happening,
this thing does not happen!
• Ubaldo! Andiamo!

PIANGI:

Amateurs!

LEFEVRE:

I don’t think there’s much more to assist you, gentlemen. Good luck.
• If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt .

ANDRE:

La Carlotta will be back.

GIRY:

You think so, messieurs? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost.

FIRMIN:

God in Heaven, you’re all obsessed!

GIRY:

He merely welcomes you to his opera house
• and commands you to continue to leave Box Five empty for his use
  and reminds you that his salary is due.

FIRMIN:

His salary?

GIRY:

Monsieur Lefevre paid him twenty thousand francs a month.
• Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte de Chagny as your patron.

ANDRE:

Madame, I had hoped to have made that announcement myself.

GIRY:

Will the Vicomte be at the performance tonight, monsieur?

FIRMIN:

Yes, in our box.

ANDRE:

Madame, who is the understudy for this role?

REYER:

There is no understudy, monsieur – the production is new.

MEG:

Christine Daae could sing it, sir.

FIRMIN:

The chorus girl?

MEG:

She’s been taking lessons from a great teacher

ANDRE:

From whom?

CHRISTINE:

I don’t know, sir . . .

FIRMIN:

Oh, not you as well! Can you believe it?
• A full house – and we have to cancel!

GIRY:

Let her sing for you monsieur.
She has been well taught!

REYER:

From the beginning of the aria then, mam’selle.

Think of Me

CHRISTINE:

Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we’ve said
goodbye.
Remember me
every so often —
promise me
you’ll try.

FIRMIN:

Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves.

ANDRE:

Don’t fret, Firmin.

CHRISTINE:

On that day,
that not so
distant day,
when you are far away
and free,
if you ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me …

• And though it’s clear,
  though it was
  always clear
  that this was never meant
  to be,
  if you happen to
  remember,
  stop and think
  of me ….

  Think of August
  when the trees
  were green –
  don’t think about
  the ways things
  might have been …

  Think of me,
  think of me waking,
  silent and
  resigned.
  Imagine me,
  trying too hard to
  put you from
  my mind.
  Think of me,
  please say you’ll
  think of me,
  whatever else you choose
  to do —
  There will never be
  a day when
  I won’t think
  of you …

RAOUL:

Can it be?
Can it be Christine?
Brava! … Brava!

• Long ago …
  It seems so
  long ago …
  How young and innocent
  we were …
  She may not remember me,
  but I remember her …

CHRISTINE:

Flowers fade,
the fruits of
Summer fade —
they have their season,
so do we …
But please promise me
that sometimes,
you will think …
… of me!

GIRY:

Yes, you did well. He will be pleased.
• (to the DANCERS) And you! You were a disgrace tonight!
  Such ronds de jambe! Such temps de cuisse! Come, we rehearse. Now!

Angel of Music

PHANTOM:

Brava, brava, bravissima …

MEG:

Where in the world
have you been hiding?
• Really, you were
  perfect!

  I only wish
  I knew your secret!
  Who is this new
  tutor?

CHRISTINE:

Father once spoke
of an angel …
• I used to dream he’d
  appear …

  Now as I sing
  I can sense him …
  And I know
  he’s here …

  Here in this room
  he calls me softly …
  somewhere inside …
  hiding …

  Somehow I know
  he’s always with me …
  he – the unseen
  genius …

MEG:

I watched your face from the shadows
• Distant through all the applause
  I hear your voice in the darkness,
  but the words aren’t yours

CHRISTINE:

Angel of Music!
Guide
and guardian!
• Grant to me your
  glory!

MEG:

Who is this angel?
This …

BOTH:

Angel of Music!
Hide
no longer!
• Secret and strange
  angel …

CHRISTINE:

He’s with me,
even now …

MEG:

Your hands are cold …

CHRISTINE:

All around me …

MEG:

Your face, Christine,
it’s white …

CHRISTINE:

It frightens me…

MEG:

Don’t be frightened …

GIRY:

Meg Giry. Are you a dancer?
• Then come and practice.
  My dear, I was asked to give you this.

CHRISTINE:

A red scarf … the attic … Little Lotte …

ANDRE:

A tour de force! No other way to describe it!

FIRMIN:

What a relief! Not a single refund!

MME. FIRMIN:

Greedy.

ANDRE:

Richard, I think we’ve made quite a discovery in Miss Daaé!

FIRMIN:

Here we are, Monsieur le Vicomte.

RAOUL:

Gentlemen if you wouldn’t mind.
• This is one visit I should prefer to make unaccompanied.

ANDRE:

As you wish, monsieur.

FIRMIN:

They appear to have met before …

Little Lotte

RAOUL:

Christine Daae, where is your scarf?

CHRISTINE:

Monsieur?

RAOUL:

You can’t have lost it. Not after all the trouble I took.
• I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin …

CHRISTINE:

Because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf.
• Oh, Raoul. So it is you!

RAOUL:

Christine.

• Little lotte
  Let your mind wander …

CHRISTINE:

Remember that, too … ?

RAOUL:

Little lotte thought:
Am I fonder of dolls,

BOTH:

Or of goblins or shoes

CHRISTINE:

Or of riddles or frocks …

RAOUL:

Those picnics in the attic?
• or of chocolates

CHRISTINE:

Father playing the violin …

RAOUL:

As we read to each other dark stories of the North …

CHRISTINE:

No, what I love best, Lotte said, is when I’m asleep in my bed,
• and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!”

BOTH:

the Angel of Music sings song in my head!

CHRISTINE:

Father said, “When I’m in heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you”.
• Well, father is dead, Raoul, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music.

RAOUL:

There’s no doubt of that. But now, we’ll go to supper!

CHRISTINE:

No, Raoul, the Angel of Music is very strict.

RAOUL:

I shan’t keep you up late!

CHRISTINE:

No, Raoul …

RAOUL:

You must change. I must get my hat. Two minutes Little Lotte.

CHRISTINE:

Raoul!
• Things have changed, Raoul.

The Mirror

PHANTOM:

Insolent boy!
• This slave of fashion,
  basking in your glory!

  Ignorant fool!
  This brave young suitor,
  sharing in my triumph!

CHRISTINE:

Angel! I hear you!
• Speak – I listen …
  stay by my side, guide me!

  Angel, my soul was weak –
  forgive me …
  enter at last, Master!

PHANTOM:

Flattering child,
• you shall know me,
  see why in shadow I hide!

  Look at your face in the mirror –
  I am there inside!

CHRISTINE:

Angel of Music!
• Guide and guardian!
  Grant to me your glory!

  Angel of Music!
  Hide no longer!
  Come to me, strange angel …

The Phantom of the Opera

CHRISTINE:

In sleep he sang to me,
• in dreams he came …
  that voice which calls to me
  and speaks my name …

  And do I dream again?
  For now I find
  the Phantom of the Opera is there –
  inside my mind …

PHANTOM:

Sing once again with me
• our strange duet …
  My power over you
  grows stronger yet …

  And though you turn from me,
  to glance behind,
  the Phantom of the Opera is there –
  inside your mind …

CHRISTINE:

Those who have seen your face
• draw back in fear …
  I am the mask you wear …

PHANTOM:

It’s me they hear …

BOTH:

Your/my spirit and your/my voice
• in one combined:
  the Phantom of the Opera is there –
  inside your/my mind …

CHORUS:

He’s there,
• the Phantom of the Opera …
  Beware, the Phantom of the Opera …

PHANTOM:

In all your fantasies,
• you always knew
  that man and mystery …

CHRISTINE:

… were both in you …

BOTH:

And in this labyrinth,
• where night is blind,
  the Phantom of the Opera is there/here
  inside your/my mind …

PHANTOM:

Sing, my Angel of Music!

CHRISTINE:

He’s there, the Phantom of the Opera …

PHANTOM:

Sing for me … sing.
• Sing my Angel … sing.
  Sing for me.

PHANTOM:

I have brought you
to the seat of
sweet music’s throne …
• To this kingdom
  where all must pay
  homage to music …
  Music …

  You have come here
  for one purpose and
  one alone …
  Since the moment I
  first heard you sing,
  I have needed you with me
  to serve me,
  to sing
  for my music …
  my music …

The Music of the Night

PHANTOM:

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation …
• Darkness stirs andwakes imagination …
  Silently the senses abandon their defenses …

  Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour …
  Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender …
  Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
  turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light
  and listen to the music of the night …

  Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
  Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
  Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
  And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before …

  Softly, deftly, music shall caress you …
  Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.
  Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
  in this darkness which you know you cannot fight —
  the darkness of the music of the night …

  Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
  Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
  Let your soul take you where you long to be!
  Only then can you belongto me …

  Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
  Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation!
  Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
  to the power of the music that I write —
  the power of the music of the night …

  You alone can make my song take flight –
  help me make the music of the night …

I Remember / Stranger than you Dreamt it

CHRISTINE:

I remember,
there was mist …
• Swirling mist
  upon a vast glossy lake …
  There were candles all around
  And on the lake there was a boat …
  And in the boat
  there was a man …

  Who was that shape in the shadows?
  Whose is the face in the mask?

PHANTOM:

Damn you!
You little prying Pandora!
• You little demon!
  Is this what you wanted to see?

  Curse you!
  You little lying Delilah!
  You little viper!
  Now you cannot ever be free!

  Damn you!
  Curse you!

  Stranger than you dreamt it
  Can you even dare to look?
  Or bear to think of me?
  This loathsome gargoyle
  who burns in hell,
  but secretly,
  yearns for heaven,
  secretly, secretly …

  But, Christine,
  fear can turn to love
  You’ll learn to see,
  to find the man behind the monster,
  this repulsive carcass …
  who seems a beast,
  but secretly,
  dreams of beauty,
  Secretly, secretly …

  Oh, Christine …

  Come, we must return!
  Those two fools who run
  my theatre will be missing you.

Magical Lasso

BUQUET:

Like yellow parchment
is his skin …
• A great black hole
  serves as the nose that
  never grew …
  You must be always
  on your guard …
  Or he will catch you
  with his magical lasso … !

GIRY:

Those who speak of what they know,
find too late that prudent silence
is wise …
• Joseph Buquet, hold your tongue
  He will burn you with the heat
  of his eyes … !

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