Disclaimer- I don't own The Phantom of the Opera…I wish…Oh, this has both the book, the musical, the movie and my own characters in it…so if you don't think you'll like a sort of Mary-Sue-ish story…don't read this. Now on with the show!
Chapter 1
The crowd outside the Opera Populaire was whispering to each other the rumors they had heard. Mixed in the crowd was some journalist, waiting for the moment when the news conference would begin. Suddenly, the doors flew open and a man stepped outside. He was tall with long gray hair. He looked around at the crowd as they rushed up to him, each asking different questions. The man put his arms up, trying to silence them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please, settle down. There is enough time for me to answer all of your questions." He pointed to a reporter. "Yes, you sir."
"Monsieur Devlin, after 15 years of the Opera Populaire having its doors closed closed, why have you all of a sudden decided to re-open its doors?"
"That is a simple answer; most people found such joy in the Operas performed here as did I when it was open. So, why not give the people back their entertainment?"
"But, sir, are you not afraid of the infamous Phantom?" another man asked. A couple of people laughed while others just remained silent.
"Oh please Monsieur, you don't believe that he is still alive, do you? To answer your question, no I am not afraid and neither are any of my employees." He smiled and nodded to another person. "Mademoiselle..."
"Monsieur Devlin, what is to be your opening opera? Will you be doing something from the past or something new perhaps?"
"Oh my dear lady, you have read my mind, for I was just about to announce that later in the week. But, since you asked I will have to tell. Since everyone is so obsessed and concerned with the Phantom, we have decided to make that the new opera. Our writer and conductor, Monsieur Manroe, has written a beautiful opera containing the story of the young, talented and gorgeous Christine Daae and her love and hero, le Vicomte de Chagny. Let's not forget one of our most important roles, the crazed, deformed Phantom of the opera, who kidnaps Christine and forces her to love him."
"Monsieur, what is the name of this triumphant opera?"
"The Phantom's Opera." The crowd began to talk to each other but he quieted them again. "The opera will run for about a month, maybe longer, it depends on how the public likes it. The opera opens on December 3rd. Any other questions?"
"Yes, Monsieur, where is your cast?"
"My cast should be arriving soon to take a look at the opera house to get a feel for it. The workers have already begun making repairs on it. Most of them wanted to see it before it was finished anyway."
"Who is your cast? Any prima donnas like the famous La Carlotta?"
"Actually, no, there aren't. They are all fresh new faces and they are all extremely talented individuals, especially our new prized star, the girl who plays Christine Daae. In my opinion, her voice is many times greater than that of Miss Daae herself. She makes the angels turn away in embarrassment." Suddenly, a couple carriages pulled up to the opera house. "Here we go, ladies and gentlemen, our terrific cast is arriving."
From the first carriage came many giggling girls, who looked to be ballet dancers. They curtsied to the crowd and then quickly went inside. Out of the next carriage came with a very tall man with slicked back brown hair. Even thought he seemed intimidating, he had a warm smile on his face and inviting blue eyes.
"This is our Phantom, Monsieur Henry Belmont." He bowed towards the crowd.
"Sing something…" somebody said and the crowd agreed. Henry looked at Devlin and he smiled, nodding his head. Henry cleared his throat and began to sing.
"Le jour est fait et la nuit est près de
De dormir maintenant
Venir, les rêves
Fatigué vous devez être avec la pièce
Maintenant c'est le temps pour vous dormer
Venir, les rêves."
The crowd stood entranced by his voice. It was soft yet had an underlying roughness to its tone. The crowd applauded and he bowed, and then turned, walking into the opera house. A man with light brown hair stepped out from the last carriage and looked at the opera house, not seeming to notice the crowd of people. He glanced back inside the carriage and held out his hand. A green gloved hand took it and stepped out of the carriage. It was a young woman wearing a dark green cloak with the hood up covering her hair. She stared at the building, a small smile forming on her face.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, our Raoul and Christine have arrived at last."
The crowd rushed over towards them asking questions and someone snapped a photo. The man seemed fine with it, holding on tightly to the woman, who turned pale and looked ready to faint.
"Please, you are scaring her." He said. They pushed their way over to Devlin and stood next to him. The girl swallowed hard and bowed her head to the crowd.
"Calm down please, you are going to make our Christine faint. I'm sure they are delighted to answer a few questions." He again nodded to one of the people.
"What is your name madame?" The girl's face had returned some of its color and her cheeks turned a rosy red. She smiled politely and turned her attention to him.
"My name is Emmeline Hallett." She took down her hood as her golden blonde locks tumbled to her shoulders.
"Miss Hallett, where do you come from?" She chuckled at the question and smiled warmly.
"Well, monsieur, if you must know I shall tell you. My mother, Marguerite, was from Spain and my father, Oliver Hallett, was born in London. They met here at this opera house because my mother was a dancer and my father worked backstage and later became a dancer."
"Who is this man next to you?"
"This young man is my co-star and friend, Monsieur James Rutherford; we have known each other since we were small children."
"Could this be another love story?" James and Emmeline looked at each other and laughed.
"I don't think that is possible, monsieur." The man looked confused and Emmeline held up his hand.
"For he is engaged to be married to another woman, a well known artist actually, Clarisse McDermott.
"Will you both please sing for us?" They nodded and James sang first.
"My Wild Irish Rose,
The sweetest flow'r that grows,
You may search ev'rywhere,
But none can compare
With My Wild Irish Rose.
My Wild Irish Rose,
The dearest flow'r that grows,
And some day for my sake,
She may let me take
The bloom from My Wild Irish Rose."
His voice was relaxing and gentle. He had talent but his voice did not compare to Henry's intoxicating voice. The crowd clapped and Emmeline stepped forward. She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.
"I'm dreaming now of Lotte,
Sweet Lotte, sweet Lotte,
For the tho't of her is one that never dies;
She's sleeping in the valley,
And the mockingbird is singing where she lies.
Still singing where the weeping willows wave
Ah! well I yet remember,
And the mockingbird is singing where she lies
Listen to the mockingbird."
Her voice was absolutely stunning. She hit every high note nicely. She had a warming feeling to her voice. It felt like the words wrapped around you and caressed your being. She opened her eyes and curtsied as the crowd clapped loudly. She noticed that people had come from walking on the streets to stop and listen to her sing.
"Did I not tell you that her voice is angelic?"
"Better than angelic…it puts the lord above to shame…he would even bow down to your voice." The crowd talked amongst themselves as she stood there blushing.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for our tour of the opera house. Come back in December to see Miss Hallett perform in The Phantom's Opera." He headed into the building with Emmeline and James behind him.