It was midwinter when Monsieur Lefevre sold the Opera Populaire to two men; Monsieur Giles Andre and Monsieur Richard Firmin. Not that it mattered to Christine. As long as she was able to continue living at the theatre, an apparition could run it for all she cared. She had found her purpose at the Opera Populaire, and she found her Angel of Music. The theatre was her home, after all.
As the cast rehearsed for the showing of the opera Hannibal, Christine noticed the two new owners strutted around with Madame Giry as they toured their newest investment. Christine could hear a few comments, but she wasn't too concerned about what they were saying. After the tour, they would return to the offices to work, just like Monsieur Lefevre did before he retired. The former owner didn't enjoy staying in the opera house, as there were rumors of a frightening entity that wandered the opera house at his leisure.
Of course, Christine didn't put much thought into the rumors. She hadn't seen anything scarier than Carlotta's dramatic tantrums in the theatre. She did her part to learn the ballet of each opera and the chorus pieces that she needed to know, and generally kept to herself. She was close with Meg, Madame Giry's daughter, but she kept her head down most of the time. It was nice to be able to blend in instead of being recognized as the famous Swedish Violinist's only surviving daughter.
A high pitched shouting caused Christine to stop her dancing when she saw Carlotta shouting at the new managers. Apparently, Carlotta was about to go on another tantrum, and Christine decided to stretch and ignore the diva yet again. She could hear the two men groveling after her as Carlotta let them praise and thank her. Soon, she was back to normal, and had decided to sing her aria solo. Christine walked to the side of the stage and stood next to Meg as Carlotta started her song. They watched as Carlotta sang, and then be enveloped by a background that had fallen from the ceiling.
"Another accident?" one of the dancers whispered as Christine exchanged a glance with Meg. Meg shrugged as people rushed to the diva's side. It wasn't long before Carlotta stormed off in a rage, leaving the theatre. Before Christine could remark, Madame Giry had grabbed her arm and brought her before the new owners.
"Christine Daae can sing the part. She has been taught by a great teacher," Madame Giry insisted as the two men doubted her. Madame Giry turned to Christine and let go of her arm. "Go on, show them."
With a deep breath, Christine started to sing the aria that Carlotta had started to showcase a few moments earlier. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she hit every note correctly and beautifully. She had practiced it with the Angel of Music that her father had sent her, and it paid off. As she finished the aria, she turned to Madame Giry and the two managers. Andre and Firmin smiled at each other before turning to Christine.
"You are a marvel," Monsieur Andre remarked as he rushed to her side.
"A miracle, my dear," Monsieur Firmin agreed wholeheartedly as he flanked her as well. Christine smiled, elated and surprised.
"Madame Giry, please help her get ready for tonight. We'll have a full house!" Monsieur Andre declared as Madame Giry took Christine's hand.
"Right away, Monsieurs," Madame Giry answered before guiding Christine off the stage and into a dressing room.
"Are you sure about this?" Christine asked as she sat down in front of the mirror. Giry smiled and nodded.
"I've been told that you have been working very hard, and now it all pays off," Giry answered as she helped Christine out of the choir girl's costume. Christine was surprised to hear that from the Madame, but she didn't say anything about it.
Just as Madame Giry finished the last costume modification, Meg knocked on the door. Madame Giry told her to come in quickly, and Meg gasped when she saw Christine in the huge white dress for the last act in the opera.
"You look marvelous," Meg commented with a huge grin. Christine thanked her just as Madame Giry started to take off the dress.
"Meg, I need you to help me get her into the first costume. The seamstresses can handle the rest during the opera," Madame Giry informed her daughter, who did as she was asked. Christine helped when she could, but the Carlotta's costumes were vastly different from the ones she generally wore.
"That should just about do it," Meg whispered before guiding Christine to the edge of the room. Christine turned around and looked into the mirror. She thought she saw a man standing behind her but as she blinked, the figure vanished. She blinked a little more before smiling, admiring her new costume.
"Hurry, we can't be late," Madame Giry informed. She pushed the two girls out of the dressing room. Meg bade her friend good luck before running to her post. Madame Giry guided Christine to her place just as the opera began.
Panicked, Christine looked back at her mentor, who told her where to stand and what to do between songs. It seemed that Madame Giry knew every move and every interaction that the soprano role needed. Christine would have guessed that Madame Giry had been the soprano in the opera in the past.
However, with the guidance and instruction from her mentor, Christine grew her confidence and sang her parts just as she had practiced all those nights in the chapel. As her voice carried, she wondered if the Angel of Music could hear her. She wished that her Angel could be in the audience, watching her perform what he had taught her.
The aria solo was her favorite part of the whole opera, and she sang her heart out. It could be the only chance she got to sing in front of the audience at such a prestigious theatre. The energy surrounding Christine was pure magic as she looked over her captive audience. She even stole a glance toward the managers' booth, and saw that they were enchanted as well.
As the opera came to a close, Christine had never seen such a positive reaction after a performance, and she was delighted. She took her bows and was quickly ushered off stage by Madame Giry. Christine couldn't help but feel like she was being removed for a reason, but allowed to be dragged away from the limelight.
"Many of the theatre patrons will want to come congratulate you, my dear. I need to return to the stage to help reset," Madame Giry informed as she opened the dressing room door.
"Thank you," Christine smiled. Her mentor bowed her head before closing the door after Christine. Unsure of what to do in her now empty room, she sat down at the vanity, waiting for a knock at the door.
Nearly an hour passed as people of importance congratulated her on a fantastic performance and told her that they were excited to see her progress in the field. Christine thanked each of them for their kind words and wonderful flowers. Even the new managers of the Opera Populaire came in to tell her that she was their miracle singer. However, they left quickly, as they had been invited to a salon of sorts. Christine was left by herself once again as she looked into the vanity. She was grateful for the night, and she guessed that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, as the opera house didn't need more that one lead soprano.
As time passed, Christine started to hear a familiar tune. She froze and listened, hearing her Angel's voice permeate through the room. Smiling, she let the intoxicating sound rush over her and she gave into the voice.
"Bravi, bravi. Bravissimi," the voice sang.
"Thank you, Angel, I hear you. Speak, I listen. Please enter at last, Master," Christine replied in tune. There was a pause, but the voice replied relieved, almost joyous.
"Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside," the voice cooed as Christine turned to look at the large mirror in the corner. There was indeed a man inside, beckoning her to come to him. Without a second thought, she stood and reached out for him. Just as she believed that she was about to touch the glass, her fingers touched nothing until the Angel's hand. The man sang beautifully as she ventured farther into the mirror.