Chapter 1 Music's Love
Abandonment
I watched as she left. She looked back once; her beautiful voice swirled around me. I couldn't stand it; the feeling of hatred and betrayal. With a candle holder in my hand, I broke the last mirror and stepped through. They were coming to search for me I waited for hours in that dark tunnel. A young girl with thick blonde hair picked up my mask. She took it with her when the men called for her tearing apart my home. I collapsed at my organ I played the music of sorrow, hatred and betrayal; I played from my soul.
"Oh Christine," I whispered silently.
Months passed by slowly it seemed. The Opera Populair was not quite as damaged as was thought by the managers. The stage needed new planks, the walls need new paint, the ceiling needed to be fixed, and of course there was a new chandelier to be bought. In three months time the dancers and singers were back rehearsing. There was one who did not return to the grand opera house. Carlotta had also left; she decided to go back to her homeland and sing in the Spanish opera houses after her fiancée Piange was killed. Christine was gone; she had completely disappeared from my lonely life. I had no vague idea of where she was.
The production of Don Juan Triumphant was sure to be a triumph in the new Opera house. There were new and naïve managers; Don Juan was found in the remains of the opera house. They dared to produce the production of my Opera; I laughed.
I curtly wrote a letter to the new managers. I was surprised by how promptly I was delivered my 20,000 Franks. I attended the opening night of the production. Christine's part was played by a charming young girl with hair as yellow as corn stalks in the fall; her voice was like a twisting ribbon of silk.
After the play was over the new managers came out to say a few words about….. The "incident."
"Now; for the Prima Donna of our production! Miss Sarah Schaaf"
They boomed as they pulled the beautiful young girl, who was obviously shy, onto the brightly lit stage; she looked distraught. "German." I thought,"With a name like Schaaf she must be."
That night the girl was in her dressing room, Christine's dressing room. I thought I should get acquainted with my new pupil.