The Phantom of the Opera
Chapter 6
(That same morning, Firmin is reading the paper in the office.)
Firmin:
"Mystery after gala night," it says, "mystery of sopranos flight".
"Mystified," all the papers say, "We are mystified. We suspect foul play!"
(lowers newspaper)
Bad news on soprano scene
First Carlotta, now Christine.
Still at least the seats get sold,
Gossip's worth its weight in gold.
What a way to run a business
Spare me these unending trials
Half your cast disappears
But the crowd still cheers
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel
Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!
(Andre enters.)
Andre:
Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!
Firmin:
Andre please don't shout!
It's publicity and the take is vast
Free publicity
Andre:
But we have no cast!
Firmin:
Andre have you seen the queue
(Sees two notes. Hands on to Andre.) Ah, it seems you've got one too
(They open them and read them to one another.)
Andre:
"Dear Andre
what a charming gala!
Christine enjoyed a great success!
We were hardly bereft
when Carlotta left -
otherwise
the chorus was entrancing,
but the dancing was a lamentable mess!"
Firmin:
"Dear Firmin just a brief reminder;
My salary has not been paid
Send it care of the ghost
By return of post
P.T.O!
No one likes a debter so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"
Both:
Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain
Firmin:
These are both signed O.G
Andre:
Who the hell is he?
Both:
Opera Ghost!
Firmin:
It's really not amusing
Andre:
He's abusing our position
Firmin:
In addition he wants money
Andre:
What a funny apparition
Both:
To expect a large retainer
Nothing plainer
He is clearly quite-
(Raoul walks in.)
Raoul:
Where is she?
Andre:
You mean Carlotta?
Raoul
I mean Miss Daae.
Where is she?
Firmin
Well, how should we know?
Raoul
I want an answer!
I take it that you sent me this note.
Andre
(Look up.)What all this nonsense?
Of course not!
Firmin
Don't look at us
Raoul
She's not with you then?
Firmin
Of course not
Andre
We're in the dark
Raoul
Monsieur don't argue!
Isn't this the letter you wrote?
Firmin
And what is that we're meant to have wrote?
(Clears Throat) Uh-Written!
Andre
(He takes the note and reads it.)
"Do not fear for Miss Daae
The Angel of Music has her under his wing
Make no attempt to see her again."
Raoul
If you didn't write it then who did?
(Carlotta and Piangi enter.)
Carlotta
Where is he?
Andre
Ah, welcome back!
Carlotta:
Your precious patron
Carlotta and Piangi
Where is he?
Raoul
What is it now?
Carlotta
I have your letter
A letter that which I rather resent
Firmin
And did you send it?
Raoul
Of course not!
Andre
As if he would
Carlotta & Piangi
You didn't send it?
Raoul
Of course not!
Firmin
What going on?
Carlotta
You dare to tell me
That this is not the letter you sent
Raoul
And what is it that I'm meant to have sent? (Grabs the note and reads it.)
"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered.
Christine Daae will be singing on your behalf tonight.
Be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take her place."
(They look at each other.)
Andre & Firmin
Far too many notes for my taste
And most of them about Christine
All we've heard since we came
Is Miss Daae's name . . .
(Madame Giry and Meg enter.)
Giry
Miss Daae has returned
Firmin
Well, it looks like our meeting is adjured
Andre
Where precisely is she now?
Giry
I thought it best she was alone
Meg
She needed rest
Raoul
May I see her?
Giry
No monsieur she will see no one
Carlotta & Piangi
Will she sing?
Will she sing?
Giry
Here I have a note
All (except Madame Giry and Meg)
Let me see it!
Firmin
Please. (She hands him the note and he sits down at his desk to read.)
"Gentlemen, I- (Notices everyone around him.) Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature detailing how my Opera House is to be run
(Erik's voice fades in) You have not followed my instructions ...
(Moves the Phantom's lair.)
Erik:
...I shall give you one last chance
Christine Daae has returned to you
And I am anxious her career should progress
In the new production of Il Muto
You will therefore cast Carlotta as the page boy
And put Miss Daae in the role of Countess
The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal
The role of the page boy is silent which makes my casting in a word, ideal
(Finishes the letter and seals it in a envelop.) I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in box 5 which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored a disaster beyond your imagination will occur
I remain, gentlemen,
(Back to the Office.)
Firmin:
Your obedient servant
O.G
Carlotta:
Christine!
Andre
What ever next?
Carlotta & Piangi
It's all a ploy to help Christine
Firmin
This is insane
Carlotta
I know who sent this
The Viscount, her lover
Raoul
Indeed, can you belive this?
Firmin
Signora
Carlotta
O tradori!
Andre
This is a joke
Firmin
This changes nothing
Carlotta
O mentitori
Firmin
Signora!
Andre
You are our star
Firmin
And always will be
Andre
Signora
Firmin
The man is made
Andre
We don't take orders
Firmin
Miss Daae will be playing the page boy
The silent role
Andre & Firmin
Carlotta will be playing the lead
Charlotta
It's useless trying to appease me
Piangi
Appease her!
Carlotta
You're only saying this to please me
Piangi
Please her!
Carlotta & Piangi
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
Dio!
Madame Giry
Who scorn his word beware to those
The angel sees, the angel knows
Carlotta
You have reviled me!
Carlotta
You have rebuked me!
Andre & Firmin
Sinora, pardon us
Carlotta
You have replaced me
Aandre & Firmin
Please Signora we beseech you
Madame Giry
This hour shall see your darkest fears
(Carlotta: Abbandonata! Deseredata! O, sventurata!)
The angel sees, the angel hears
Carlotta
Abbandonata!
Andre & Firmin
Senora sing for us
Don't be a matyr
All
What new surprises lie in store
(They are all in the entry way of the building. Andre gets down on one knee.)
Andre:
Your public needs you. (Nudges Firmin to kneel.)
Firmin:
We need you too
Carlotta
Wouldn't you rather have your precious little ingenue?
(Moment of silence. The two men look at each other.)
Andre & Firmin
Signora . . . No.
The World wants you
Prima Donna first lady of the stage
Your devotees are on their knees to implore you
Andre
Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?
Firmin
Think of how they all adore you
Andre & Firmin
Prima donna enchant us once again
Andre
Think of your muse
Firmin
And all your queues 'round the theatre!
Andre & Firmin
Can you deny us the triumph in store?
Andre, Firmin & Piangi
Sing Prima Donna once more
Raoul
Christine spoke of an angel
(During the song, Carlotta is getting ready for the gala.)
Carlotta
Prima Donna your song shall live again
Andre & Firmin
Think of your public
Carlotta
You took a snub but there's a public who needs you
Madame Giry
She has heard the voice of the Angel of Music
Andre & Firmin
Those who hear you liken you to an angel
Carlotta
Think of the cry of undying support
Andre
We get her Opera
Firmin
She gets her limelight
Carlotta
Follow where the lime light leads you
Andre & Firmin
Leading ladies are a trial
Carlotta
Prima Donna your song shall never die
You'll sing again and to unending ovation
Raoul
Order, warnings lunatic!
Andre & Firmin
This misacting will invite damnation
Lunatic demands are regular occurrences
Carlotta
Think how you'll sing in that final encore
Andre & Firmin
Sing Prima Donna once more
Raoul
I must see these demands are rejected
Andre & Firmin
Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve
A chorus girl whose gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette, entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur, he must have been with her!
Carlotta
Fortunata!
Non ancor abbandonata!
Andre & Firmin
You'd never get away with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue
It's just the sort of story audiences adore, in fact a perfect opera!
Meg:
For if his curse is on this Opera
All
Prima Donna the world is at your feet
A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!
Still, the dryest throat will reach the highest note
Sing Prima Donna once more
Prima Donna
Once . . . More . . .
(Song ends)
(But not everyone was happy. Erik was up in the high listening and he is not happy.)
Erik:
So, its war between us, isn't it?
(He brings his cape around and disappears.)
