Read and Review!
Finale, Late April-June 1883
I looked at our opera, Passion's manuscript. I had come such a long way in the year I had been with him. He said to me,
"Passion's getting another run here. The audience is demanding it. To us!"
"Yes, to a successful opera."
On gala night, on June 15th, we enjoyed seeing our opera once again, of course.
As we were released for intermission, a piece of paper fell from above the rafters. It was burned from each side and quite faded. Erik and I were just leaving Box Five and then I saw what was on the paper. In fine writing, I saw the word.
Don
And under that several notes from a sheet of musical score.
Erik's opera-I thought all traces of that incident were gone!
"Erik, I think I found something…. and I think
it's yours."
I handed it to him. He glanced at it and asked
severely,
"Where'd you get this?"
"It
fell from above."
"Don't read it, Erin."
"I've seen
the notes already…. and you know, the opera you wrote was a fine
piece of work, Erik. But it scared people."
"Not you…you are one of the most fearless of
me."
Erik and I went back. We decided that we would write
another opera-in time-but I would not think of it as a second opera,
but just another opera. I don't think I'd ever top Passion.
For that was the opera that brought us together. As partners and
in romance.
Erik went next to me. He and I came to each other and gave our romantic kiss, for the first time in many months. Then, I said,
"Christine showed you have love in your soul. I showed you that you have freed yourself from your prison."
"You alone did that."
"It's just begun, Erik. We will write operas and be remembered."
Erik sang to me
You alone made my song take flight….
Then, I joined in….
It just begun! Our music of the night!
