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