Overture

This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours

From the enslaving force of Rome

With feasting and dancing and song

Tonight, in celebration

We greet the victorious throng

Returned to bring salvation

The trumpets of Carthage resound

Hear, Romans, now and tremble

Hark to our step on the ground

Hear the drums

Hannibal comes!

Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp

Gentlemen, gentlemen[

MONSIEUR LEFÈVRE walks in with ANDRÉ and FIRMIN.

]

Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal"

Monsieur Lefèvre, I am rehearsing!

Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen

Uh, 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, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire

Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles André

And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron

The Vicomte de Chagny

My parents and I are honoured to support all the arts, especially the world renowned Opera Populaire

Vicomte, Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now

Brava, brava![

PIANGI coughs indignantly.

]

Signor Ubaldo Piangi

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, mo nsieur

Thank you, Monsieur Le Vicomte

Ciao! Très bien!

Once more, if you please, signor

He love me

We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, messieurs[FIRMIN, spoken]

I see why

Especially that little blonde angel

My daughter: Meg Giry

And that exceptional beauty, no relation, I trust?

Christine Daaé

Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin

Very promising

Daaé, did you say?

No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?

His only child

Orphaned at seven when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories

An orphan, you say?

Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests

The elephants of Carthage

As guides on our conquering quests

Dido sends Hannibal's friends

The trumpeting elephants sound

Hear, Romans, now and tremble

Hark to their step on the ground

Hear the drums

Hannibal comes

All day! All they want is the dancing!

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

Oh, oh, allora, allora, allora

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

What do we do?

Grovel, grovel, grovel

Right

Principessa, bella diva

Si, si, si

Goddess of song

È vero

Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvellous aria for Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"?

Perhaps the Signora—

Yes, Monsieur Reyer?

If my diva commands

Yes, I do