Author's note- Two updates in a week! Consider it an apology for the long delay between chapters 5 and 6.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything and I'm not making any money off of this story.
Chapter 7
Twenty year old Christine Daae sighed as she moved through her warm-up for rehearsal. It was promising to be a very long day. First, choreography class at the university that morning, then a last rehearsal this afternoon and finally opening night for the run of Gounod's Faust. Of course, the resident leading lady, Carlotta Guidicelli, wasn't making things any easier. Everyone backstage could hear Carlotta's ranting. Of course, since the Diva frequently lapsed into her native Italian not everyone could understand what she was complaining about. Knowing Carlotta, it could be anything from not liking her costume to her thinking that a chorus member had been too cheeky.
Hearing a string of Italian that certainly didn't sound polite Christine rolled her eyes and moved into her next set of warm-up exercises. For what seemed like the thousandth time since Carlotta had joined the company five years ago Christine wondered how someone with such a nasty personality could have such a fantastic voice. Even those people who detested Carlotta admitted that her voice was something special. With her perfect coloratura voice and amazing range Carlotta was every opera house's dream, aside from the fact that she threw a tantrum at least twice a week. At least this current one seemed to be dying down. Christine wondered what Msr. Reyer, the conductor, was promising her to get her to calm down enough to do rehearsal.
Whatever it was it apparently worked. Less than ten minutes later Christine heard Msr. Reyer calling for the start of the rehearsal. Since the performance was that night rehearsal wasn't going to be long or involved. It was mainly to work on a few issues that had arisen at the dress run the day before and to incorporate some costumes that had been finished overnight. Christine made her way backstage with the rest of the dancers to wait for the entrance for Ainsi que la brise légère.
As the scene went on Christine noticed that the rehearsal was being watched by the owner of the opera house, Msr. Leferve as well as three other men. Two of the men were older, Christine guessed probably in their late forties or earlier fifties. They were dressed in what were obviously very expensive suits but the suits didn't seem to fit them. It was like they were an assistant dressing up in the boss's power suit. They were talking animatedly to a younger man with golden hair. He was dressed comfortably in a pair of chocolate brown trousers and a dark red button down shirt. As he turned to address a comment by Msr. Leferve Christine got a glimpse of his face.
"Raoul?" Christine wondered in shock. As she tried to get a better view she heard her Aunt Antoinette cry out.
"Christine Daae! Focus girl!" Inwardly berating herself for such a rookie mistake Christine forced herself to forget about the visitors and focus on the dance. As the scene ended and she moved off stage Christine tried to locate the visitors but was grabbed by Meg.
"Christine is everything okay? It's not like you to lose focus like that." Meg queried anxiously.
"I promise I'm fine Meg," Christine reassured her friend. As she tried to explain about the visitors she was interrupted by Msr. Leferve.
"Excuse me Msr. Reyer," Leferve called. "But I would like to address the company for a very important announcement." He waited impatiently for everyone to file back onstage. When everyone stood waiting he continued, "As many of you know I've owned this opera house for nearly twenty years. While I have enjoyed those years immensely I've decided that it is time to retire. As such I would like to introduce Msrs. Firmin and Andre. You've probably heard of them as the car salesmen who were winners of the record lottery jackpot a few years ago." At this, Msr. Leferve stepped back and allowed the new owners to step forward and address the company. Everyone clapped politely while a few started whispering to each other about what this change would mean for the opera house. The taller of the two men, apparently Msr. Firmin, cleared his throat.
"Thank you all for your warm welcome." Firmin said sounding a bit awkward. "My business partner and I would like express our delight at being able to be a part of this company. We would also like to introduce Msr. le Vicomte de Changy. He and his parents have graciously consented to become our largest sponsor. This will enable us to continue to make the Opera Populaire one of the leading opera houses in the world". At this Msr. Firmin motioned for the Vicomte to step forward.
Christine stared at Raoul and grabbed Meg's arm. "It is him Meg! It's Raoul!" Christine whispered excitedly. "Do you remember him? He knew Papa and me from when we went on vacation at Perros-Guirrec. He loved Papa's stories as much as I did. He even called me Little Lotte."
"That's the Raoul you were always talking about?" Meg asked. "Wow! He's turned into a hottie. Do you think he remembers you?" As Meg finished speaking she and Christine noticed that they had missed Raoul's remarks and that he was now being ushered out of the area by Firmin, Andre and Leferve. He passed within a few feet of Christine and she felt her heart rise in her throat as she tried to see if Raoul would recognize her. But his attention was consumed by the other men and he barely looked at the other people in the area.
Christine tried to pass off her hurt. "He wouldn't have recognized me. It's been over ten years after all."
"If he had seen you he would have known who you are. After all, from all your stories it seems like you were basically childhood sweethearts. How could he not know his childhood sweetheart?" Meg tried to reassure her friend.
Christine shrugged, "Maybe." Everyone had started chatting among themselves as Msr. Reyer tried in vain to get everyone's attention so that they could finish rehearsal. He had just started to make headway when Msrs. Leferve, Firmin and Andre returned. Msr. Leferve immediately started introducing the new owners to the rest of the company.
"This is Msr. Reyer our musical director and our ballet mistress Mme. Giry." Leferve quickly pointed out each person. And then noticing Carlotta's face he quickly ushered the new owners towards her. "And of course you know our Prima Donna for the last five seasons, the fantastic La Carlotta." The managers murmured their assent uttered bland compliments about Carlotta's voice and beauty.
Then Firmin made what a comment that guaranteed Carlotta's goodwill. "Signora Guidicelli, I know that tonight we open with a performance of Faust. I would be honored if you would provide us with a rendition of Marguerite's Jewel Song because I know that you are well known for the excellence of your performance".
Christine heard Meg snort in amusement at the absurd flattery and mutter "Excellence my foot. Carlotta's only excellence is in sounding like it's a computer in her throat rather than vocal chords." Inwardly, Christine agreed. While Carlotta probably had one of the best technical voices around, Christine was wanted more heart from a performance. From her own music lessons Christine had come to believe that while technique was important it was emotion that gave music its power. Christine tried to zone out as Carlotta took center stage and started to sing.
Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! je ris de me voir . . .
In the middle of the second line Christine was jolted back to reality by Meg grabbing her arm and dragging her accompanied by the sound of squealing pulleys. She heard a crash and looked to see Carlotta sprawled on the floor just narrowly having avoided being hit by a falling screen that was used for scenery. Carlotta's lover and the opera house's leading tenor, Piangi rushed over to her and helped her to stand. Leferve, Firmin and Andre all tried frantically to ensure Carlotta's well-being and apologize. Christine saw that Carlotta's eyes were shooting daggers at the excuses.
"For the past three years these accidents have been happening!" she screamed. "Three years! Well, mai ancora! Never again! Until you can guarantee my safety I will not sing here again!" Carlotta stormed off with Piangi and her entourage in tow. Msrs. Firmin and Andre looked questioningly at Msr. Leferve.
"What, what do we do" asked Andre completely stunned. Leferve shrugged.
"There isn't much you can do. When La Carlotta is like this all you can do is wait for her to cool off and then flatter her enough for her to come back. And since there is nothing else that I can do, I will take my leave." With that, Leferve left without looking back. Andre and Firmin were to shocked to even go after him.
"What do we do?" Firmin questioned despairingly. "How can we perform without the two leads?" As if on cue the two new owners looked towards Msr. Reyer.
"Well, we have an understudy for Piangi but Carlotta always refuses one. We had to promise her never to assign an understudy to get her to perform once a couple years ago because she thought her understudy was sounding better than her."
"Oh God," Firmin moaned. "It's our first night and we're already going to have to issue refunds for the entire house. We'll be bankrupt in a week."
"Christine Daae could sing it," Antoinette interjected.
"Who?" Andre asked.
"Christine Daae. My ward and a member of the corps de ballet." Antoinette answered calmly gesturing towards Christine. Christine of course was pale and still from the shock of her guardian suggesting that she take over the lead role.
"A dancer?" Firmin cried incredulously. "You want us to let a dancer sing, and not just any role but Marguerite?"
"She can do it Msr. Firmin. I promised you." Antoinette replied with absolute conviction.
Firmin sighed. "All right, all right. You, girl, what's your name? Start from the beginning of the Jewel Song please." Christine didn't move. "Come on, come on we don't have all day."
Andre went over to Christine and gently guided her to center stage. "It's all right. Just do your best." he said patting her arm. Christine nodded dumbly at him. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She could do this. Her teacher had made sure she knew the role and after hearing Carlotta sing it during rehearsals the entire opera was in her memory. She could do this.
Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! je ris de me voir . . .
As she sang Christine felt herself forgetting that she was ballet girl singing and started becoming the character. She didn't realize that more than one member of the opera house company was staring at her in shock. No one could believe that she had a voice like that. Even the managers were impressed. Finally Christine finished the last line of the aria with a flourish.
Ah! je ris de me voir si belle dans ce miroir!
As Christine finished she became aware that everyone around her was clapping enthusiastically. She blushed and gave a small bow in appreciation. The new owners came rushing up to her.
"Do you think you can perform the role tonight?" Firmin demanded.
"Because that was absolutely stunning," Andre added.
Christine hesitated until she noticed Antoinette nodding her head. "Yes I think I can do it."
"Wonderful. Make sure the costumes fit and be ready to go on." Firmin instructed. With that he turned and strode from the stage. Andre tailed behind.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting ready. Christine had to endure costume fittings. Luckily Carlotta was not much larger than her so simple alterations allowed the costumes to work. Christine also had to make sure she knew the blocking and to run through a few of the duets with Piangi's understudy. But all too quickly the it was time for the performance. As she made her first entrance Christine made a quick prayer that all of the lessons she had recieved from her Angel would allow her do well tonight. And then she through herself into the performance.
She captivated every member of the audience. Not only was her voice beautiful but her performance was excellent. She almost literally became the character in front of everyone's eyes. But no audience member was more captivated that Raoul de Changy. He had been late arriving to the performance because he had needed to finish a business call. As a result he had missed the annoucement of Christine replacing Carlotta. But the minute he saw her, he thought she looked like his old childhood friend. And when she sang he knew it had to be Christine. She had sung with that much emotion and energy as a child singing along with her father. He knew that he would make sure to see Christine once the performance was over.
As Christine gave her curtain call she knew she had never felt happier. She had recieved a standing ovation from the audience and she knew that she had made her father, her Aunt Antoinette and hopefully her Angel proud of her performance. And she had finally found the joy in music that she had missed since her father passed on. And so once she was able to break away from the rest of the cast, she snuck back to the chapel to remember her father and see if her Angel approved of her performance.