Hannibal Lyrics
Carlotta
This trophy
From our saviors
From our saviors
From the enslaving force
Of Rome!
Chorus
With feasting and dancing and song
Tonight in celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation
The trumpet of carthage resound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to our step on ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
Piangi/Hannibal
Sad to return
To find the land we love
Threatened once more
By Roma's far-reaching grasp
Monsieur Reyer spoken
Gentlemen, gentlemen--
Monsieur Lefevre
Rehearsals, as you can see, are underway for a new production on Chalumeau's Hannibal
Monsieur Reyer
Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing!
Monsieur Lefevre
Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry…
Ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention, thank you. As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these are all true…
Carlotta interrupting
Ah-Ha!
Lefevre continued
And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre. I'm sure you have read of their recent fortune in the Junk business.
Andre
Scrap metal, actually.
Meg whispering to Christine
They must be rich.
Monsieur Firmin
And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron,
Monsieur Andre
The Vicomte de Chagny
Christine
It's Raoul. Before my father died at the house by the sea…I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me Little Lotte.
Meg
Christine, he's so handsome.
Raoul
My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire.
Monsieur Lefevre
Vicomte, gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons.
Voices/Piangi
Brava! Brava!
Monsieur Lefevre
Signor Ubaldo Piangi
Raoul
An honor signor. I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies, monsieur.
Monsieur Reyer
Thank you, monsieur le Vicomte!
Once more if you please, signor
Carlotta
He love me. He love me. Love me, love me, love me.
Christine
He wouldn't recognize me.
Meg
He didn't see you
Giry
If you please, Monsieur.
The ballet continues
Madame Giry
We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur
Monsieur Andre
I see why.
Especially that little blond angel.
Madame Giry
My daughter, Meg Giry
Monsieur Firmin
And that exceptional beauty
No relation, I trust?
Madame Giry
Christine Daae.
Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin,
Very promising.
Monsieur Andre
Daae, did you say?
No relation to the Famous Swedish Violinist?
Madame Giry
His only child.
Orphaned at 7 when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories.
Monsieur Firmin
An orphan, you say?
Chorus singing
Hannibal's Friends!
The trumpeting elephant sound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to their step on the ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
Carlotta spoken
All day!
All they want is the dancing!
Monsieur Lefevre
Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala.
Carlotta
I hope he is as excited about dancing girls as your new managers,
Because I will not be singing!
Monsieur Andre
What do we do?
Monsieur Lefevre
Grovel
Grovel, grovel.
Monsieur Firmin
Right.
Monsieur Andre
Principessa Bella Diva!
Carlotta
Si! Si! Si!
Monsieur Firmin
Goddess of song!
Monsieur Andre
Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act. 3 of Hannibal?
Monsieur Firmin
Perhaps the signora
Carlotta
Yes, Yes, But, NO!
Coz' I 'ave not my costume for Act. 3,
Coz' (shouting at someone) SOMEONE not finish it!
And I 'ate my hat
No, that's better (laughs)
If my managers command!
Monsieur Reyer?
Monsieur Reyer
If my diva commands?
Carlotta
Yes, I do.