Rehearsals for Hannibal

(scene 1)

We have reached the great choral scene in which HANNIBAL and his army return to save Carthage from the Roman invasion under Scipio. HANNIBAL is Ubaldo Piangi; ELISSA, Queen of Cartage and Hannibal's mistress, is Carlotta Guidicelli. The tow leading SLAVE GIRLS are played by Meg Giry and Christine Daae. Mme. Giry is the ballet mistress. M. Reyer, the repetiteur, is in charge.

We join the opera toward the end of ELISSA's great aria. She is alone, holding a present from HANNIBAL, a bleeding severed head.

PANSY at the end of her cade sings. "This trophy from our saviors, from the enslaving force of Rome!"

A stage hand carries a ladder across the stage. Others are seen constructing parts of the scenery.

The GIRL'S CHORUS sings, "With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration we greet the victorious throng returned to bring salvation!"

The MEN'S CHORUS follows with, "The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!"

EVERYONE sings, "Hear the drums- Hannibal comes!"

Piangi enters as Hannibal.

Ron sings as Piangi, "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp".

Terry who is M. Reyer interrupts him. "Signor…if you please: "Rome". We say "Rome" not "Roma"."

Ron, embarrassed, replies in a mumble, "Si, si, Rome not Roma. Is very hard for me."

He turns away practicing. "Rome…Rome…"

Enter Leferve, the retiring manager of the Opera, with M. Firmin and M. Andre, to whom he has just sold it.

Terry, not noticing them, continues on. "Once again, then, if you please, Signor: "Sad to return…"."

Andrew, as Leferve, says to Andre and Firmin, "This way, gentlemen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal"." Seeing a pause in the rehearsal, Leferve attempts to attract attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already perhaps, have met M. Andre and M. Firmin…"

The new managers are politely bowing, when Reyer interrupts.

"I'm sorry, M. Leferve, we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?"

"My apologies, M. Reyer. Proceed, proceed…"

"Thank you, monsieur, he said turning back to Piangi. ""Sad to return…" Signor…"

Andrew said sotto voce to Andre and Firmin as Reyer went back to rehearsal, "M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I'm afraid."

The rehearsal continues.

Ron sang again, "Sad to return to the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp. Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome. Tonight, rejoice- your army has come home.

The ballet girls begin their dance. Leferve, Andre, and Firmin stand center-stage watching the ballet. They are in the way. The ballet continues under the following dialogue.

Andrew turning to Blaise and Neville indicated Piangi. "Signor Piangi, our principal tenor. He does play so opposite La Carlotta."

Luna, as Madame Giry who is exasperated by their presence, bangs her cane angrily on the stage. "Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?" she hissed.

"My apologies, Mme. Giry," said Andrew bowing his head and leading BlaiseandNeville aside. "Mme. Giry, our ballet mistress. I don't mind confessing, M. Firmin, I shan't be sorry to be rid of the whole business."

Neville asked in a persistent manner, "I keep asking you, monsieur, why exactly are you retiring?"

Andrew, ignoring this, calls his attention to the continuing ballet. "We take particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets."

Meg becomes prominent among the dancers.

Blaise, as he sees Meg asks, "Who is that girl, Leferve?"

Andrew, turns to Blaise and answers. "Her? Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter. Promising dancer, M. Andre, most promising."

Christine becomes prominent. She has absent-mindedly fallen out of step.

Luna, spotting her, bangs her cane again. "You! Christine Daae! Concentrate girl!"

Ginny, as Meg said quietly to Christine. "Christine…what's the matter?"

Neville, confuzzled, says to Leferve, "Daae? Curious name."

Andrew replies dully, "Swedish."

Blaise who was curious asked, "Any relation to the violinist?"

Andrew, growing bored with the subject answered, "His daughter, I believe. Always has her head in the clouds, I'm afraid."

The ballet continues to its climax and ends. THE CHORUS continues.

The chorus sings, "Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests- the elephants of Carthage!

As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!"

An ELEPHANT, a life-sized mechanical replica, enters. Piangi is lifted, in triumph, onto its back.

Pansy sang, "Once more to my welcoming arms

My love returns in splendor!"

Ron answers, "Once more to those welcoming arms

My heart and soul surrender!"

The chorus sings, "The trumpeting elephants sound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to their step on the ground! Hear the drums! Hannibal comes!"

At the end of the chorus Leferve claps his hands for silence. The elephant is led off. Two stage-hands are revealed operating it from within.

Andrew spoke in his most professional manner, "Ladies and gentlemen-Madame Giry, thank you-may I have your attention please? As you know, for some weeks now there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can tell you now that these were all true and its my pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre."

There is polite applause, and some bowing. Carlotta makes her presence felt.

"Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Guidicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now," Andrew introduced.

Blaise, trying to butter up Carlotta said, "Of course, of course. I have experienced all your greatest roles, Signora."

Andrew, continuing with the introductions, says, "And Signor Ubaldo Piangi."

Neville, being polite as possible says, "An honor, Signor."

Blaise, being sweet and charming says to Pansy, "If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of "Hannibal". I wonder, Signora, if, as a personal favor, would you oblige us with a private rendition? Unless, of course, M. Reyer objects…" he finished in a somewhat acerbic tone.

Pansy, said with a thick Italian accent, "My manager commands…M. Reyer?"

Terry answers, "My diva commands. Will two bars be sufficient introduction?"

Neville, rushing to get this over with answers quickly, "Two bars will be quite sufficient."

Terry, ensuring Carlotta is ready, says, "Signora?"

Pansy retorts, "Maestro."

The intro is played on the piano.

"Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while- please promise me you'll try. When you find that, once again, you long

To take your heart…."

As Carlotta sings a backdrop crashes to the floor cutting her off from half the cast.

Ginny, the ballet girls, and some of the chorus sing tauntingly, "He's here: The Phantom of the Opera. He is with us, it's the ghost…."

Ron, looked up furiously spat "You idiots!" as he rushes over to Carlotta. "Cara! Cara! Are you hurt?"

Andrew, acting concerned said, "Signora! Are you alright? Buquet! Where is Buquet?!"

Ron, still furious spoke spraying spit everywhere, "Is no one concerned for our prima donna?"

Andrew, not angry, said, "Get that man down here!" He truns to Andre and Firmin. "Chief of the flies. He's responsible for this."

The drop is raised high enough to reveal upstage an old stagehand, Joseph Buquet, holding a length of rope, which looks almost like a noose.

Andrew spat, "Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there?"

Colin, as Buquet, replies, "Please monsieur don't look at me! As God's my witness, I was not at my post. Please monsieur there's no one there, and if there is, well then, it must be a ghost."

Ginny said, looking up, "He's there; the Phantom of the Opera…"

Blaise, slightly unnerved by this said, "Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy?"

Neville, frustrated spat to Meg and the others, "Mademoiselle, please!"

Blaise, says sweetly to Carlotta, "These things do happen."

Pansy, completely furious hisses, "Si! These things do happen! Well, until you stop these things from happening, this thing does not happen!! Ubaldo! Andiamo!"

Piangi dutifully fetches her furs from the wings.

Ron spat as he passed Neville and Blaise, "Amateurs!" and stomped out with Pansy.

"I don't think there's much more to assist you, gentlemen. Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt," Andrew replied curtly.

He leaves. The COMPANY looks anxiously at the NEW MANGAERS.

Blaise said, "La Carlotta will be back."

Luna turned to him and asked, "You think so messieurs? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost."

The GIRLS twitter and twirl in fear.

Neville said, "God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!"

Luna, reading the note, answered not paying attention. "He merely welcomes you to his opera house and commands you to continue to leave Box Five empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is due."

Neville, bewildered, hissed, "His salary?"

Luna replied calmly, "Monsieur Leferve paid him twenty thousand francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte de Changy as your patron."

Some sort of reaction to this from the ballet girls. Christine takes hold of Meg nervously.

Blaise, slightly angry said to Giry, "Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement myself."

Luna said continuing on with Neville. "Will the Vicomte be at the performance tonight, monsieur?"

Neville replied, "In our box."

Blaise, changing the subject to the present problem, asked, "Madame, who is the understudy for this role?"

Terry spat, "There is no understudy, monsieur- the production is new."

Ginny, said shyly, "Christine Daae could sing it, sir."

Neville asked, "The chorus girl?"

Ginny said to Firmin, "She's been taking lessons a great teacher."

Blaise, curious, asked, "From whom?"

Hermione, as Christine answered uneasily, "I don't know, sir…"

Neville said exasperated, "Oh, not you as well!" He turns to Andre, fuming. " A full house- and we'll have to cancel!"

Luna said back, "Let her sing for you monsieur. She has been well taught."

Terry said after a pause, "From the beginning of the aria then, mam'selle."

Hermione nodded, and came in where she needed to. "Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while- promise me you'll try."

Neville said under his breath, "Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves."

Blaise, giving a reassuring smile to Hermione, said back, "Don't fret, Firmin."

Hermione continued, "When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart back and be free- If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."

There is a transformation to the Gala. Christine is revealed in full costume.

Hermione sang on, "We never said our love was evergreen or as unchanging as the sea- But if you can still remember stop and think of me. Think of all the things we've shared and seen- Don't think about the things which might have been. Think of me,

think of me waking , silent and resigned. Imagine me, trying too hard to out you from my mind. Recall those days; look back on all those times, think of the things we'll never do- There will never be a day, when I won't think of you…"

There is applause and bravos. Prominent among the bravos are those of the young Rauol in the Managers' box.

Harry, as Raoul, sang "Can it be? Can it be Christine?" He raises his opera glasses. "What a change! You're really not a bit the gawkish girl that once you were," He lowers his opera glasses. "She may not remember me, but I remember her…"

Hermione sang finishing her aria. "We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea- But please promise me that sometimes you will think

o-o-o-…of me!"