Standard (EADGBE)
Intro from drumroll:
FIRMIN
"Mys-tery after gala night,"
it says, "Mys-tery of soprano's flight!"
"Mys-tified all the papers say,
we are mys-tified - we suspect foul play!"
Bad news on so-prano scene -
first Carlotta, now Chris-tine!
Still, at least the seats get sold
gossip's worth its weight in gold . . .
What a way to run a business!
Spare me these unending trials!
Half your cast disap-pears,
but the crowd still cheers!
O-pera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel -
Have a scandal and you'll sure to have a hit!
ANDRE
Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!
FIRMIN
Andre, please don't shout . . .
It's pub-licity! And the take is vast!
Free publicity!
ANDRE
But we have no cast . . .
FIRMIN
But Andre,
have you seen the queue?
(Timing is slightly off, strum softly)
(Spoken)Oh, it seems you've got one too . . .
ANDRE
"Dear... Andre what a charming gala!
Chris-tine was in a word, 'sub-lime'!
We were hardly be-reft when Car-lotta left -
On that note, the diva's a disaster
must you cast her when you see she's past her prime?"
FIRMIN
"Dear Firmin, just a brief re-minder:
(Spoken)my salary has not been paid.
Send it care of the ghost, by re-turn of post.
(Spoken) P.T.O.:
No-one likes a debtor,
so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"
FIRMIN/ANDRE
Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain!
FIRMIN
These are both signed "O.G." . . .
ANDRE
Who the hell is he?
BOTH
Opera ghost!
FIRMIN
It's nothing short of shocking!
ANDRE
He is mocking our position!
FIRMIN
In addition he wants money!
ANDRE
What a funny admiration
BOTH
to expect a large retainer!
Nothing plainer -
he is clearly quite insane!
(Strum loudly and rapidly)
(RAOUL
Where is she?)
ANDRE
You mean Carlotta?
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
Of course not!
FIRMIN
Don't look at us!
RAOUL
She's not with you, then?
FIRMIN
Of course not!
ANDRE
We're in the dark . . .
RAOUL
Monsieur, don't argue -
Isn't this the letter you wrote?
FIRMIN
And what is it, that we're meant to have wrote?
(Realizing his mistake)
(Spoken) Ugh, Written !
ANDRE (Spoken)
(strum once softly and ring)
"Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The Angel of Music has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again."
RAOUL (Spoken)
If you didn't write it, who did?
(Strum loudly and rapidly)
CARLOTTA
Where is he?
(ANDRE
Ah, welcome back!)
CARLOTTA
Your precious patron -
where is he?
RAOUL
What is it now?
CARLOTTA
I have your letter -
a letter which I rather resent!
FIRMIN
And did you send it?
RAOUL
Of course not!
ANDRE (spoken)
As if he would!
CARLOTTA
You didn't send it?
RAOUL
Of course not!
FIRMIN (spoken)
What's going on . . .?
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?
RAOUL(Spoken)
(strum once softly and ring)
"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 Chris-tine!
All we've heard since we came
is Miss Da-ae's name . . .
GIRY
Miss Daae has returned.
FIRMIN
I hope no worse for wear
as far as we're concerned.
ANDRE
Where precisely is she now?
GIRY
I thought it best that she was alone . . .
MEG
She needed rest.
RAOUL
May I see her?
GIRY
No, monsieur, she will see no-one.
CARLOTTA & PIANGI
Will she sing?
Will she sing?
GIRY
Here, I have a note . . .
RAOUL/CARLOTTA/ANDRE
Let me see it!
FIRMIN (Spoken)
Please!
(Opens the letter and reads.
The PHANTOM'S voice gradually takes over)
"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'S VOICE (taking over)
. . . 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 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.
Spoken
I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in
Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should
these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your
imagination will occur.
I remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, O.G."
CARLOTTA
Christine!
ANDRE
Whatever next . . .?
CARLOTTA
It's all a ploy to help Christine!
FIRMIN
This is insane . . .
CARLOTTA
I know who sent this:
The Vicomte - her lover!
RAOUL
Indeed?
Can you believe this?
ANDRE
Sig-nora!
CARLOTTA
O traditori!
FIRMIN
This is a joke!
ANDRE
This changes nothing!
CARLOTTA
O mentitori!
FIRMIN
Signora!
ANDRE
You are our star!
FIRMIN
And always will be!
ANDRE
Sig-nora . . .
FIRMIN
The man is mad!
ANDRE
We don't take orders!
FIRMIN
Miss Daae will be playing the Pageboy-
the silent role . . .
ANDRE/FIRMIN
Car-lotta will be playing the lead!
CARLOTTA
It's useless trying to ap-pease me!
You're only saying this to please me!
CARLOTTA
Signori, e vero?
CARLOTTA& PIANGI
Non, non, non voglio udire !
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
GIRY
Who scorn his word,
be-ware to those . . .
(CARLOTTA
You have reviled me!)
GIRY
The angel sees,
the angel knows . . .
CARLOTTA
You have rebu-u-uked me!
ANDRE/FIRMIN
Signora, pardon us . . .
CARLOTTA
You have re-pla-a-aced me!
ANDRE/FIRMIN
Please, Signora, we beseech you . . .
GIRY
This hour shall see your darkest fears . . .
MEG/RAOUL
I must see her . . .
CARLOTTA
Abbandonata!
Deseredata!
O, sventurata!
GIRY
The angel knows,
the angel hears . . .
RAOUL
Where did she go . . .?
CARLOTTA
Abbandonata!
Disgraziata!
ANDRE/FIRMIN
Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr . . .
RAOUL/GIRY/MEG
What new surprises lie in store . . .?
ANDRE/FIRMIN/CHARLOTTA
Our star . . .!