Chapter 9

"How are you enjoying the show, Angéle?" Erik asked in an attempt to make conversation.

"The show itself or this performance?" Angéle asked, for these were two entirely different matters.

"Both I suppose," he replied.

"I do like the show in and of itself. It has lovely music and a wonderful story."

"And of the performance?" Erik inquired. He had a feeling about where she was going with this and he felt he was going to enjoy it.

After pausing to think for a moment, Angéle said, "The orchestra is good enough. I can hear that there are a few people who are completely off, though. The chorus needs to work on the harmonies, but the voices sound nice enough together. The show is really very good on the whole, except for one thing."

"What would that be mademoiselle?" Erik was smiling, waiting to hear what he knew was coming.

"Carlotta can't sing! She sounds positively awful," Angéle moaned. She could hear Erik chuckling next to her.

"I could not agree more, my dear. That cow, I beg your pardon miss," Erik added upon remembering he was in the presence of a lady, "should have been kicked out of the opera house years ago," he said continuing to chuckle to himself.

"Well, she is an insult to music," Angéle said with a huff.

"Do you sing, mademoiselle?" Erik asked. He thought he may like to tutor this young lady.

"I don't really know," Angéle said, she stared ahead with a very gloomy expression.

"I am not sure I quite understand, my dear," Erik had no idea at all what the girl could possibly mean.

"Well, it is like this," Angéle said turning to face Erik, " I used to sing to myself when I was very young, but my mother forbade it. She said it was improper. I would get into so much trouble for singing that I eventually stopped,

"When I was ten, I asked her if I could have piano lessons. She told me playing instruments was unladylike, and even if that were not the case I could never learn because I was blind,

"So I have made requests to come to the opera for as long as I can remember. I would sit with my parents in box 10. I could never listen in peace though, because my parents would always talk the whole show. My parents see me as a burden and for the past few years they have stopped coming to the opera. I had lost my only connection to music," Angéle sighed heavily, "Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that that banshee was the prima dona. I have waited all this time and now," she sighed again, "And now I have to make myself content with these mediocre performers."

Erik thought for a moment. He felt sorry for the girl. He had a feeling she had talent in her. He imagined she would be a lovely alto if she were just given some guidance. Erik had made his decision.

"Perhaps you would like me to tutor you, mademoiselle?"