Oh dear god in heaven.
Erik took in the sight of the performers rehearsing and shuddered. When he had heard of the great parisian opera house in need of a director, he thought it was the perfect opportunity. Possibly they had gone a month or two without a director. But this gave him the impression of a year, maybe more. The ballet was all a half beat out of step, some basson was out of tune, and that chorus was dreadful. All these thoughts slipped away when he heard her voice.
It ripped through him like a bullet. The notes were all in tune, but every word crafted in staccato style. She rose to high and over dramafied the triumphant battle cry. Actually, from her voice it sounded as though it could be part of the comedic part of Hannibal. Well she would have to go.
"Friends. You may all have heard that our months without a director are over, and that is correct!" the managers said in near unison. "Monsieur Destler will now head the theater and its productions. Be assured he is a genius and will treat you well."
"Hello, I will be making changes to how things will be ran. First off, you must go", he gestured straight to the owner of that hideous instrument.
A silence fell over the crowd.
"You cannot fire La Carlotta!" the manager squealed.
"That is La Carlotta? I thought someone of such high standing in the opera would at least have a passing voice."
"This is an outrage! My voice has been likened to an angel!" said Carlotta.
"Ah of course, I must take the word of the uneducated masses who listen to your screech!" He took a step towards her, but was stopped by the M. Firmin.
"M. Destler, you must excuse our Prima Donna. You must of heard her at a wrong time perhaps you could her another song?"
"I don't wish to hear another sound from her," he seethed.
Ignoring his criticism, M. Andre said, "Madame, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elyssa in Act 3 of Hannibal?"
With a snide look thrown his way, she smiled and replied, "Yes, there is."
"Well then perform it madame." He bit back a distasteful insult.
She gestured to the orchestra, "Start playing you buffoons!"
The opening tune played and she opened her mouth. He expected this. Her voice still made the same errors as before. Nothing changed except that the aria sounded worse. He about called for her to stop but was cut off by the shifting of something above.
Before he could look a backdrop tumbled down striking M. Carlotta down. She wept as the cast members shuffled to remove the scene. Her voice sounded even worse coming out in sobs.
"These things do happen, you understand?" The managers said.
"Oh yes! These things do 'appen! For the past three years these things do 'appen! And did you stop these thing from 'appening? No! So I will be leaving before these things 'appen again!" The terrible woman thankfully left, taking her dreadful accent with her.
"Oh dear she's left again."
"Good, we need to hold auditions soon for her part as Elyssa."
"That's all you have to say? We lost the most sought after soprano in the country!" The idiots must have been deaf. For even a child could discern that her voice was hardly sublime.
"All for the better, she seemed to be aging out of her voice. I would like to speak with the other performers."
"First, monsieur, I have a note." A older woman came forth.
"A note you say?" He took it from her.
Dear Erik Destler,
I see you also share my opinion on that abysmal soprano. I wish you luck to convince my managers of our shared standing. Anyways, I would like to welcome you to my opera house. As long as you follow MY orders your stay her should be quite fruitful.
Sincerely yours,
O.G.
The note was written in a garish shade of red and with the shakiness of a child. Still, he felt chills.
"Who was this from?"
M. Andre said, " Oh the opera ghost, of course! The entire crew is obsessed with the idea of a masked phantom. He is the reason the stagehands are always drunk and the ballet rats late." He sounded exasperated by the end of his spiel.
"Oh of course. A ghost," he replied flatly.
"Anyways monsieur, I'm sure you would to see the rest of the cast."
Sorry if Erik seems a little OOC i'm still trying to grasp his character. This role reversal plot has brewing for some time now. I had originally posted a chapter but decided it needed revamped. Sorry fpr any me this seems cleaner. If anyone notices an error please comment about it. I'm unbetad but if any one has a little free time i need one. I'm a terrible editor.
Anyways, i'm unsure of how to put Raoul in without completely bashing the character. If anyone has an idea i'm open to suggestions. Aaaalso anyone have a title suggestion? If someone comes up with a good one i'd write a short fic of their choosing? Or a fanart. Check my blog out darklordpthlaho please.
Alright that;s enough rambling. I should have the next chapter up soon. See y'all later :D