Overture / Hanibal
The trophy
From our saviors
From our saviors
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 trumpet of carthage resound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark our step on 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
Rehearsals, as you can see
Are underway for a new production on Chalumeau's Hannibal
Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing!
Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry...
Ladies and Gentlemen, 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 are all true
Ah-ha!
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 honored to support all the arts
Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire
Vicomte, gentlemen
Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons
Brava! Brava!
Signor Ubaldo Piangi
An honour signor
I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal
I will be here this evening to share your great triumph
My apologies
Thank you, monsieur le Vicomte!
Once more if you please, signor
We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur
I see why
Especially that little blond 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 7 when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories
An orphan, you say?
Hannibal's Friends!
The trumpeting elephant 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
I hope he is as excited about dancing girls as your new managers
Because I will not be singing!
What do we do?
Grovel
Grovel, grovel
Right
Bella Diva
Goddess of song
Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvellous aria for Elissa in Act. 3 of Hannibal?
Perhaps the signora-
Yes, Monsieur Reyer?
If my diva commands
Yes, I do!