This is a version of the Phantom of the Opera story, in Christine Daaé's point of view. It is based off of the play, though, so there will be nothing in the book included. Parts from the play will be in this story, but only those parts that include singing from one of their plays such as Don Juan Truimphant, Il Muto, and so on. Please be gental with your reviews. This is my first Fanfic writting. :)
p
(NOTE: The prologue will not be in this, because it does not involve Christine.)
Music flew around me as the voices of the male chorus called in the arrival of Hannibal. The chorus voices sang out, that Hannibal had arrived with his army, after a voyage to save Cathage from the Roman invation under Scipio.
Signora Carlotta stepped up to the center of the crowd of singers and dancers to truimph in her lead rolë, as Elissa, the Queen of Carthage. Her voice broke the sudden hush of the male chorus' singing, as she sang out, "This trophy from our saviours, from the enslaving forces of Rome!"
p
The girls chorus started up after Carlotta's ending note. Their melodic voices sounded like the choir of a group of small children singing charols for Christmas time. Everyone chimmed in after the male chorus: "Hear the drums - Hannibal comes!"
p
At this, Signor Piangi, playing the rolë of Hannibal, comes onto the stage, followed by his small group of warriors. He pulled out his mighty dagger, and sang, "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp."
p
Reyer, the director of the production, interrupted Piangi, correcting his mistake.
p
"Signor...if you please: 'Rome.' We say 'Rome, ' not 'Roma." Signor blushed from his mistake. "Si, si...Rome, not Roma. It is very hard for me." He practised to himself for a few seconds, and then signalled to Reyer that he was ready to restart.
p
Meg and I looked at each other, and gave a quiet laugh. Signor Piangi had a heavey accent and had trouble pronouncing most words in every opera production that he starred in. He did have a wonderful voice, however, and I always admirred that most above everything else. I longed to have the voice I once had; the voice that I had when my father was alive. suddenly, my thoughts were broke off.
p
"This way gentelmen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are underway, for the new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'" Lefévre said, as he lead two men in suits across the stage. Meg looked at me, and without a word, and we both exchanged a look of confusion.
p
Lefévre, noticing the uncertin looks of the cast members, explained. "Ladies and Gentalmen. Some of you may already, perhaps, have met Mr. André nd Mr. Firmin..." Both men gave a slight bow, when Reyer broke in.
p
"I'm sorry Mr. Lefévre, but we are reherrsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting for one moment, please?" Lefévre blushed in his embarrisment, saying, "I apologize! Please, go on, go on..."
p
The reherrsal went on as the three managers, former and future, went on talking about the production, and the opera house. I turned to Meg, and asked, "Who are these men?" She silenty shook her head, as Madame Giry, the dance instructor, as well as Meg's mother, stamped her cane on the ground. "Dancers! Reherrsal shall begin now!"
p
All of the dancers, including Meg and I, scattered to the side of the stage. We began to dance melodically to the music playing on the side. Meg's steps were perfectly in rythem to the music. Her gracefully, and beautiful steps flowed perfectly with the other dancers, and the music. Each step she took was perfect. Anyone could admit, that she was a perfect dancer.
p
I, on the other hand, was not anything like Meg. Yes, it was true, I knew steps, and I could learn combinations, but I was nowhere near the level of little Meg. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lefévre, and the two men watching us dance.
p
"Who is that girl?" Mr. André asked, looking in Meg's direction. "Oh yes, that is Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter. She is a wonderful dancer! She will do wonders for you two gentlemen in the future!" Lefévre answered.
p
I heard the two going on about Meg, and became distracted in my own thoughts. Someday, I will be a great singer again. Just like I was when I was a child. If only I could... "Christine Daaé! Consentrate!" Madame Giry broke my thoughts. Meg looked over sadly at me, and asked, "Christine...is everything alright?" The attention of the new managers were brought to me, with Madame Giry's remark.
p
"Daaé? Strange name..." Firmin remarked.
p
"It is Swedish," answered Lefévre
p
Hearing this, André asked, "Is she in any relation to the violinist?"
p
Lefévre answered, "I beleive she is his daughter. I do believe he died not to long ago. Poor dear - always has her head stuck in the clouds, I'm afraid." I shuddered at this statement. Do they suspect anything? Do they know?
p
The chorus went on, singing their notes perfectly matched. At this, Piangi was lifted on to the back of a life-like elephant. He tried to hold his balance the best he could, but slightly fell forward. He caught himself, however, and held his dagger up once more. The chorus started one last time, and finally, the scene's reherrsal was finished.
p
Lefévre clapped his hands for attention, as the fake elephant was lead off the stage. Once again, Lefévre clapped his hands, and began to announce something important.
p
"Attention please! Thank you ladies; gentlemen. For weeks now, there have been rumors going around about my leaving the theatre. I would like to tell you all now, that those rumors are true. I will be retireing from the business. So I am now pleased to introduce your two new managers, Mr. André and Mr. Firmin."
p
Carlotta, being the woman she is, stepped forward to introduce herself to the new managers.
p
"I am Carlotta Giudicelli, leading saprano for five season's now."
p
"Of course!" Firmin answered. "We have been waiting to have the pleasure, Signora."
p
"Signora, I heard that 'Elissa' has a fine aria in Act Three of this production...may I ask that you oblige us with a rendition of it, please?" Mr. André asked.
p
"I shall only do two bars...I shouldn't spoil all of it..." Carlotta answered. "Mistro?"
p
The music began, and I watched as she poised herself in the bright lights. She cleared her throat, and began...
p
"Think of me, Think of my fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while - please promise me you'll try. When we find, that, once again you long, to take your heart..."
p
Before Carlotta could finish the next line of the song, Scene Five's backdrop crashed to the ground. Panic came over the stage floor, as a murmer went across the entire cast. Some remarked, "It's him! It's him!" Others said, "He is with us, it's the ghost..." but next to me, Meg looked up terrified, and said, "He's here: the Phantom of the Opera!"
p
I did not beleive in the Phantom of the Opera. Although strange happenings did occur in the Opéra Populaire Opera House, they could all easily be explained.
p
Lefévre rushed to Carlotta, who stood steaming on the side now. "Signora! Are you alright? Buquet! Where is Buquet!?" Almost instantly, Joseph Buquet was lead onto the stage, with a terrified look in his eyes.
p
"Buquet! What is heaven's sake is going on up there?" Lefévre demanded. Buquet struggled for breath. "Please Monsieur, don't look at me. As God's my witness, I was not at my post. If there was anyone there; well then, it must have been a ghost!" Meg, once again, looked up, and said, "He's here! the Phantom of the Opera!"
p
André, hearing Meg's remark, became very upset. Apparently, he too, did not belive these ghost stories around the opera house. "Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy? Signora! these things do happen...I apologize."
p
Carlotta looked up, with a devilish gleam in her eye. She looked as if she was going to blow, but she held in her anger quite well. " Si! These things do happen...Well until you stop these things happening, this thing, will not happen!" Turning away from the new managment, and to Piangi, she said, "Ubaldo! Andiamo!"
p
At that, Carlotta and Piangi left the Opera House.
p
Lefévre, with a terrified look, still in his face, from the thought that the Opera Ghost could still be in their presents, finally spoke up. "I don't think there is anything more I will need to assist you two gentlemen in. Good luck! I'm off to Frankfort!"
p
André, trying to cheer up the cast, said, "Carlotta will be back." Madame Giry stepped in. "You think so, Messiuers? Oh, and I have a message, sir. It's from the Opera Ghost. He only welcomes you to his opera house, and asks you to continue to leave Box 5 empty for his use, and reminds you that his salary is due."
p
Firmin chimmed in, "God in heaven! You are all obsessed, aren't you?" André, almost interrupting Firmin, asked, "His Salary?"
p
Giry explained, "Monsieur Lefévre paid him twenty francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more. We have Vicomte De Chagny as your parton." I looked at Meg longly, hearing the name of Raoul Chagny. The handsom Vicomte that attendened most preformances.
p
André made a face at having to pay a salary to an "opera ghost." Then he looked back at Giry, and asked, "Madame, who is the understudy for this role?"
p
Reyer came in. "There is no understudy. This is a new production."
p
At this, Meg's eyes lit up. "Christine Daaé could sing it, sir!" Firmin made a face. "The chorus girl?" Meg nodded. "She has been taking lessons from a great teacher!" I looked at her, wide eyed, and shook my head, trying to get her to stop. No one could know. Not even she knew the truth. But she would not stop.
p
André asked with interest, "From whom?" He looked at me. I choked over my words as I answered, "I...I don't know sir..." Firmin threw his hands up, "Oh, not you too! Can you beleive it André? A full house - and we have to cancel!"
p
Madame Giry stepped in saying, "Let her sing for you Monsieur. She has been well taught."
p
My eyes felt heavey. I felt the room spinning. I couldn't belive what had been happening; I was going to sing in front of the whole cast when I wasn't ready. I suddenly felt myself step forward, and almost uncontrolably, I started to sing Carlotta's song.
p
That night, as I sang on a real stage, with a real audience for the first time ever. I looked up to our new manager's box, and saw the Vicomte De Chagny. His eyes were full of wonder, as were mine. I sang almost effertly...almost like there was someone singing for me.
p
-
p
I had done it. I had reached the end of my first night on stage as a saprano. I sang the last notes more estravegent then ever. "But please promise me that sometime, you will think of me!"
p
(NOTE: The prologue will not be in this, because it does not involve Christine.)
Music flew around me as the voices of the male chorus called in the arrival of Hannibal. The chorus voices sang out, that Hannibal had arrived with his army, after a voyage to save Cathage from the Roman invation under Scipio.
Signora Carlotta stepped up to the center of the crowd of singers and dancers to truimph in her lead rolë, as Elissa, the Queen of Carthage. Her voice broke the sudden hush of the male chorus' singing, as she sang out, "This trophy from our saviours, from the enslaving forces of Rome!"
p
The girls chorus started up after Carlotta's ending note. Their melodic voices sounded like the choir of a group of small children singing charols for Christmas time. Everyone chimmed in after the male chorus: "Hear the drums - Hannibal comes!"
p
At this, Signor Piangi, playing the rolë of Hannibal, comes onto the stage, followed by his small group of warriors. He pulled out his mighty dagger, and sang, "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp."
p
Reyer, the director of the production, interrupted Piangi, correcting his mistake.
p
"Signor...if you please: 'Rome.' We say 'Rome, ' not 'Roma." Signor blushed from his mistake. "Si, si...Rome, not Roma. It is very hard for me." He practised to himself for a few seconds, and then signalled to Reyer that he was ready to restart.
p
Meg and I looked at each other, and gave a quiet laugh. Signor Piangi had a heavey accent and had trouble pronouncing most words in every opera production that he starred in. He did have a wonderful voice, however, and I always admirred that most above everything else. I longed to have the voice I once had; the voice that I had when my father was alive. suddenly, my thoughts were broke off.
p
"This way gentelmen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are underway, for the new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'" Lefévre said, as he lead two men in suits across the stage. Meg looked at me, and without a word, and we both exchanged a look of confusion.
p
Lefévre, noticing the uncertin looks of the cast members, explained. "Ladies and Gentalmen. Some of you may already, perhaps, have met Mr. André nd Mr. Firmin..." Both men gave a slight bow, when Reyer broke in.
p
"I'm sorry Mr. Lefévre, but we are reherrsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting for one moment, please?" Lefévre blushed in his embarrisment, saying, "I apologize! Please, go on, go on..."
p
The reherrsal went on as the three managers, former and future, went on talking about the production, and the opera house. I turned to Meg, and asked, "Who are these men?" She silenty shook her head, as Madame Giry, the dance instructor, as well as Meg's mother, stamped her cane on the ground. "Dancers! Reherrsal shall begin now!"
p
All of the dancers, including Meg and I, scattered to the side of the stage. We began to dance melodically to the music playing on the side. Meg's steps were perfectly in rythem to the music. Her gracefully, and beautiful steps flowed perfectly with the other dancers, and the music. Each step she took was perfect. Anyone could admit, that she was a perfect dancer.
p
I, on the other hand, was not anything like Meg. Yes, it was true, I knew steps, and I could learn combinations, but I was nowhere near the level of little Meg. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lefévre, and the two men watching us dance.
p
"Who is that girl?" Mr. André asked, looking in Meg's direction. "Oh yes, that is Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter. She is a wonderful dancer! She will do wonders for you two gentlemen in the future!" Lefévre answered.
p
I heard the two going on about Meg, and became distracted in my own thoughts. Someday, I will be a great singer again. Just like I was when I was a child. If only I could... "Christine Daaé! Consentrate!" Madame Giry broke my thoughts. Meg looked over sadly at me, and asked, "Christine...is everything alright?" The attention of the new managers were brought to me, with Madame Giry's remark.
p
"Daaé? Strange name..." Firmin remarked.
p
"It is Swedish," answered Lefévre
p
Hearing this, André asked, "Is she in any relation to the violinist?"
p
Lefévre answered, "I beleive she is his daughter. I do believe he died not to long ago. Poor dear - always has her head stuck in the clouds, I'm afraid." I shuddered at this statement. Do they suspect anything? Do they know?
p
The chorus went on, singing their notes perfectly matched. At this, Piangi was lifted on to the back of a life-like elephant. He tried to hold his balance the best he could, but slightly fell forward. He caught himself, however, and held his dagger up once more. The chorus started one last time, and finally, the scene's reherrsal was finished.
p
Lefévre clapped his hands for attention, as the fake elephant was lead off the stage. Once again, Lefévre clapped his hands, and began to announce something important.
p
"Attention please! Thank you ladies; gentlemen. For weeks now, there have been rumors going around about my leaving the theatre. I would like to tell you all now, that those rumors are true. I will be retireing from the business. So I am now pleased to introduce your two new managers, Mr. André and Mr. Firmin."
p
Carlotta, being the woman she is, stepped forward to introduce herself to the new managers.
p
"I am Carlotta Giudicelli, leading saprano for five season's now."
p
"Of course!" Firmin answered. "We have been waiting to have the pleasure, Signora."
p
"Signora, I heard that 'Elissa' has a fine aria in Act Three of this production...may I ask that you oblige us with a rendition of it, please?" Mr. André asked.
p
"I shall only do two bars...I shouldn't spoil all of it..." Carlotta answered. "Mistro?"
p
The music began, and I watched as she poised herself in the bright lights. She cleared her throat, and began...
p
"Think of me, Think of my fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while - please promise me you'll try. When we find, that, once again you long, to take your heart..."
p
Before Carlotta could finish the next line of the song, Scene Five's backdrop crashed to the ground. Panic came over the stage floor, as a murmer went across the entire cast. Some remarked, "It's him! It's him!" Others said, "He is with us, it's the ghost..." but next to me, Meg looked up terrified, and said, "He's here: the Phantom of the Opera!"
p
I did not beleive in the Phantom of the Opera. Although strange happenings did occur in the Opéra Populaire Opera House, they could all easily be explained.
p
Lefévre rushed to Carlotta, who stood steaming on the side now. "Signora! Are you alright? Buquet! Where is Buquet!?" Almost instantly, Joseph Buquet was lead onto the stage, with a terrified look in his eyes.
p
"Buquet! What is heaven's sake is going on up there?" Lefévre demanded. Buquet struggled for breath. "Please Monsieur, don't look at me. As God's my witness, I was not at my post. If there was anyone there; well then, it must have been a ghost!" Meg, once again, looked up, and said, "He's here! the Phantom of the Opera!"
p
André, hearing Meg's remark, became very upset. Apparently, he too, did not belive these ghost stories around the opera house. "Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy? Signora! these things do happen...I apologize."
p
Carlotta looked up, with a devilish gleam in her eye. She looked as if she was going to blow, but she held in her anger quite well. " Si! These things do happen...Well until you stop these things happening, this thing, will not happen!" Turning away from the new managment, and to Piangi, she said, "Ubaldo! Andiamo!"
p
At that, Carlotta and Piangi left the Opera House.
p
Lefévre, with a terrified look, still in his face, from the thought that the Opera Ghost could still be in their presents, finally spoke up. "I don't think there is anything more I will need to assist you two gentlemen in. Good luck! I'm off to Frankfort!"
p
André, trying to cheer up the cast, said, "Carlotta will be back." Madame Giry stepped in. "You think so, Messiuers? Oh, and I have a message, sir. It's from the Opera Ghost. He only welcomes you to his opera house, and asks you to continue to leave Box 5 empty for his use, and reminds you that his salary is due."
p
Firmin chimmed in, "God in heaven! You are all obsessed, aren't you?" André, almost interrupting Firmin, asked, "His Salary?"
p
Giry explained, "Monsieur Lefévre paid him twenty francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more. We have Vicomte De Chagny as your parton." I looked at Meg longly, hearing the name of Raoul Chagny. The handsom Vicomte that attendened most preformances.
p
André made a face at having to pay a salary to an "opera ghost." Then he looked back at Giry, and asked, "Madame, who is the understudy for this role?"
p
Reyer came in. "There is no understudy. This is a new production."
p
At this, Meg's eyes lit up. "Christine Daaé could sing it, sir!" Firmin made a face. "The chorus girl?" Meg nodded. "She has been taking lessons from a great teacher!" I looked at her, wide eyed, and shook my head, trying to get her to stop. No one could know. Not even she knew the truth. But she would not stop.
p
André asked with interest, "From whom?" He looked at me. I choked over my words as I answered, "I...I don't know sir..." Firmin threw his hands up, "Oh, not you too! Can you beleive it André? A full house - and we have to cancel!"
p
Madame Giry stepped in saying, "Let her sing for you Monsieur. She has been well taught."
p
My eyes felt heavey. I felt the room spinning. I couldn't belive what had been happening; I was going to sing in front of the whole cast when I wasn't ready. I suddenly felt myself step forward, and almost uncontrolably, I started to sing Carlotta's song.
p
That night, as I sang on a real stage, with a real audience for the first time ever. I looked up to our new manager's box, and saw the Vicomte De Chagny. His eyes were full of wonder, as were mine. I sang almost effertly...almost like there was someone singing for me.
p
-
p
I had done it. I had reached the end of my first night on stage as a saprano. I sang the last notes more estravegent then ever. "But please promise me that sometime, you will think of me!"