The Canary Soars Again
May 14th, 1900
The fateful night had arrived and the theatre was filled to brim with not just local people but with others who even traveled all the way from Paris to not just hear Christine sing again but to hear her daughter make her debut.
All the while backstage, Christine and Marigold were preparing for their opening duet and Frans was preparing to make his speeches to the public. Erik had opted to sit in the box seat, preferably away from the public's eyes. Though he had perfected his 'human face' mask to make him have the appearance of a normal face, years of isolation still made him feel more inclined to stay in the shadows. He sat as the orchestra began tuning their instruments. The selections of the music have been kept a secret from him, as requested by Frans and Christine, so as to keep him from suspicion.
Finally, as the lights were brought to a dim, Frans walked out onto the stage as the audience gave its welcoming applause. "Mesdames et Messieurs, welcome to the Clasir Theatre. It is a pleasure to welcome you hear tonight for our Ambre Gala. This evening, we will have the great pleasure of hearing the sublime performance from one of the most recent prima donnas to have graced the Palais Garnier of Paris, formerly known as Christine Daae, the incomparable Madame Christine Renaud."
The audience applauded at the announcement of Christine's name. Frans raised his hand to speak more. "And it also gives me equal pleasure to announce the debut of another singer here tonight. Making her debut here at the Clasir Theatre will be none other than Madame Christine's daughter, Mademoiselle Marigold Renaud." More applause followed as Erik looked down proudly.
"It is also my great pleasure to announce the after the passing of my grandfather, Henri Lenoir, this theatre was kept in great care of a good man who wishes to remain anonymous. This man had not only assumed temporary responsibility of management to the theatre but who also took me in as ward, until I was ready to assume the responsibility that was bequeathed of my grandfather. Without him, I would not be where I am today and would like to applaud him for his generosity and guidance towards me. He has also graciously agreed to continue as my assistant manager. Therefore, it is an honor for me to announce to you that I am now the new manager of the Clasir Theatre." The audience stood up and applauded once again. Frans looked toward the box where Erik sat and nodded his head to him. Erik smiled and bowed his head as a gesture of thanks.
"And now, it gives me the greatest pleasure of welcoming both Madame Christine Renaud and her daughter, Mademoiselle Marigold Renaud, who will delight you with the Flower Duet aria from the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes."
With the rise of the curtain, Christine emerged from one side of the stage with Marigold emerging from the other side. Christine wore a light turquoise gown with her hair pulled up in a fashionable bun and Marigold wore a coral one with her curly hair pulled halfway up with curls cascading down. Christine gave Marigold's hand an encouraging squeeze as the orchestra began.
Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin
A la rose s'assemble
Sur la rive en fleurs riant au matin
Doucement glissons De son flot charmant
Suivons le courant fuyant
Dans l'onde frémissante
D'une main nonchalante
Viens, gagnons le bord,
Où la source dort et
L'oiseau, l'oiseau chante.
Sous le dôme épais ou le blanc jasmin,
Ah! descendons
Ensemble!
Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin
A la rose s'assemble
Sur la rive en fleurs riant au matin
Viens, descendons ensemble
Doucement glissons de son flot charmant,
Suivons le courant fuyant
Dans l'onde frémissante
D'une main nonchalante
Viens, gagnons le bord
Où la source dort et
L'oiseau, l'oiseau chante
Sous le dôme épais ou le blanc jasmin,
Ah! descendons
Ensemble!
They both sing in a blissful harmony as Marigold sang soprano and Christine sang alto. Both mother and daughter found a kindred joy as they sang together. All throughout the performance, Erik looked proudly down at his wife and daughter. The gorgeous refrain of their song filled him with great love.
The audience stood to applaud them. They both gave a deep bow and exited the stage to the dressing room. Frans announced the next performance, in which the orchestra was to play a selection of waltzes from Strauss while Christine and Marigold prepared for their arias.
Christine had finished putting on an ivory gown adorned with pearls. She had waited for Marigold to finish dressing behind the screen. "Come along, dear. Let me see you."
When she emerged, it was as though Christine was looking in a mirror. Marigold looked every inch like her in the pale buttery yellow gown and feathered bird mask, the very dress she had once worn to the masquerade ball. The only thing different was instead of her hair pulled up with golden bird pins, Marigold wore it long and pulled back with only a yellow rose pinned in the back.
"Oh, my dear. You look lovely. Everyone will be enchanted, especially your father."
"Are you sure he'll be proud of me?"
"I know he will. And so will Frans."
They made their way to the wings as the orchestra ended, Frans stepped out on to the stage. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present Madame Christine Renaud who will be singing the Jewel Aria from the opera Faust."
The audience cheered as Christine emerged, floating around the stage and smiling. Erik looked very perplexed at hearing the choice of aria she was singing. He wondered if she was going to sing the aria he wrote for her later. Whatever the reason, he sat and kept her eyes on her, awaiting to hear her beautiful voice.
As she held up a hand mirror, she playfully admired the jewelry on her before she officially began to sing.
Ah! je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir,
Est-ce toi, Marguerite, est-ce toi?
Réponds-moi, réponds-moi,
Réponds, réponds, réponds vite!
Non! Non! ce n'est plus toi!
Non...non, ce n'est plus ton visage;
C'est la fille d'un roi;
Ce n'est plus toi,
Qu'on salut au passage!
Ah s'il était ici!
S'il me voyait ainsi!
Comme une demoiselle
Il me trouverait belle, Ah!
Comme une demoiselle,
Il me trouverait belle!
Marguerite, Ce n'est plus toi!
Ce n'est plus ton visage;
La, ce n'est plus ton visage;
Qu'on salut au passage!
Christine's ears vibrated with the thunderous applause from the audience. As she took her bows, she looked up to see Erik standing and applauding her proudly. He looked at this beloved wife with the same adoration he had when she first sang in Paris.
As she exited, the orchestra began to play another selection of waltzes just before Marigold's long-awaited performance.