Part Three: Guardian Angel
XXI
The scrape of Antoinette's cane across the stage floor and the music filled the auditorium as rehearsal took place. It was the fifth day of rehearsals for the new production of Les Huguenots. Rehearsals would continue for two more weeks before the performance.
"One two, three, keep count in your head!" Antoinette called.
The music ended and the dancers made there way off stage. Christine and Meg both sat down to watch until they had to go on again. It was to be there first performance.
"I'm so tired," Meg panted.
"I know," Christine moaned, "this is harder then it looks."
"Girls," Antoinette called.
Groaning they got back up and got into their lines. Two more weeks of this seemed like pure torture after only hour-long lessons. Still, it would be worth it in the end, at least that was they kept telling each other.
"Very good," Antoinette said at last, "stretch and then you may go rest."
She smiled as they all breathed thank yous and hurried off. This would be the first performance for many of the girls and the rehearsals were taking their toll. Many had sore muscles and blisters from the daily event. Still, they persevered. Those who could not handle it would drop out and leave the ballet. It was one of the ways that she chose the dancers that would continue their careers.
"They're doing very well," Monsieur Reyer commented.
"Merci Monsieur, I am quite proud."
"Especially your daughter and young Miss Daae. Those two have talent."
"They practise very hard Monsieur and enjoy dancing. They will go far in the theatre."
"Promising talent," Monsieur Reyer said, "that is something we need at the moment. Have you heard that the new soprano arrives tomorrow?"
"Ah yes, Carlotta Giudicelli, correct?"
"Yes, she is supposedly quite talented."
"We can only hope Monsieur Reyer, otherwise we may be in for some hard times."
"Yes well…I believe that Piangi will be pleased. She is Italian, or so I have been told."
"Two Italian lead singers?" Antoinette asked.
"Hmm, I must be going, I'm afraid that the third clarinet has been having some trouble."
Antoinette nodded as he strode off to find the man in question. A new lead singer and a new clarinet, she could only hope that this would not cause too much disruption to the performance.
Erik fiddled with the rope in his hand, wrapping it around itself and slipping the end through the small loop, pulling it tight. With a flick of his wrist he caught a candelabra in the noose and pulled it tight, causing the entire thing to clatter to the floor. With a sigh he dropped the rope and wandered over to the gondola.
Christine was once again late for the lesson, but he did not say anything. The poor girl was always exhausted after rehearsals; it didn't seem fair to scold her for doing her job. Besides, she still tried her best when she came and had improved considerably over the years. It was hard to believe now that it had been four years since he had started teaching her.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she panted.
"Do not apologise to me Christine, I know that you are very busy."
"I'm already warmed up," she said eagerly, "Meg and I were singing with the chorus."
"Were you now?"
"Just scales," she said nervously, "nothing more then that."
"Very well then. We will start with…" he trailed off thoughtfully, "why don't you choose today Christine?"
"Oh, umm, alright."
When the lesson was over Erik could see that the poor girl was completely exhausted. It would be unfair to her to have her come every night, besides she had come far enough that he felt he did not have to remind her to practice everyday.
"From now on we will have lessons twice a week, Mondays and Fridays."
"Oh, alright…why?"
"Because I said so my child. Remember though, do your scales everyday, you do not need me for that."
"Of course Angel…and thank you."
"Good night child."
Christine left the chapel and went to the dormitory, collapsing on the bed. Meg smiled at her from her own bed, "Tired?"
"Just a little," Christine smiled, "you?"
"Exhausted…two more weeks!"
"Then we get to rest?"
"Only if we do badly and don't get into the other performances…oh, I can't wait!"
She gave a small squeal of excitement and flopped back on her bed. Meg had been nearly bubbling since they had been put in the line and the hard work didn't seem to deter her.
"Neither can I," Christine agreed, "but right now, I can't wait to sleep."
The next day rehearsals were interrupted by the entrance of the new prima donna. The woman came in with a small entourage, and dressed extravagantly in furs. She was talking rapidly to Monsieur Lefevre, who looked quite lost.
"Pardon us," Monsieur Lefevre said, "but I would like to introduce our new prima donna, La Carlotta."
"Thank you, thank you," she said as a few people on stage applauded.
"Miss," Monsieur Lefevre continued, "Our conductor, Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, our ballet mistress and our lead tenor, Piangi."
"Yes, yes, a pleasure," she replied haughtily.
"Well, I should leave you to your rehearsal," Monsieur Lefevre said, glancing at Antoinette, "Miss, if you'll follow me please."
Just as they turned to leave a note fluttered onto the stage. Monsieur Lefevre visibly winced as he picked it up and handed it to Antoinette, he never read the things himself.
"The Opera Ghost welcomes our new soprano to the opera house and requests that she sing for him. He says he is listening and that she is to do so immediately."
"Who is this, this ghost?" she asked, "I do nota sing for ghosts. Tell your ghost that!"
"Mademoiselle, I think it would be best if you did," Monsieur Lefevre said, then added, "it would show your immense talent to everyone here at the theatre."
"You are just saying that so your ghost cana hear me sing…well fine, I will sing for him. La la la la la la la!" she shouted, "there I sing for you ghost, what do you think hmm? La la la la la la la!"
"I think that you could stand to learn a little respect," Erik hissed to himself and turned away from the scene.
"There, is your ghost happy?"
"Why don't I show you to your dressing room?" Monsieur Lefevre asked nervously, "This way please."
The day of the performance came faster then any of the young dancers imagined. The final rehearsal was taking place even as sets were being finished. For Christine the time had passed in a whirl of rehearsals, costume fittings and lessons from her Angel.
"Are you nervous?" Simonette asked, "Because I am."
"A little," Christine admitted, "but not overly much."
"I'm nervous," Meg said, "and excited…oh our first performance. How wonderful!"
"Wonderful indeed," Antoinette agreed, "now why don't you get in your lines hmm?"
"Yes Madame.
"Yes maman."
The rehearsal finished with a fight between Monsieur Reyer and Monsieur Lefevre and Christine hurried to the chapel to visit her Angel. First she lit the candle for her father and said a quick prayer.
"Angel?""Yes?"
"Oh good, I thought that you might not be here."
"Why would you think that Christine?"
"I don't know…it's my first performance tonight, I'm terribly nervous. Everyone will be watching, what if I make a mistake?"
"You won't," he replied simply, "you are very talented, and I will be there to watch over you. Don't be nervous child."
His words filled her with a strange warmth and confidence, "Thank you Angel…I have to go. Madame will be looking for me."
"I will be watching tonight," he repeated.
"Good bye Angel."
"Good bye Christine."
Erik watched the performance from Box Five with an increased interest in the ballet. Christine and Meg Giry proved to be quite impressive dancers. He made a mental note to inform the manager. Unfortunately La Carlotta, though quite the soprano, had been rather poorly trained. He found that actually understanding the opera was quite challenging, yet another thing to inform the managers of. Still, she did have some talent and hopefully would improve as she went on.
