Lyrics: The Managers' Office

(Desk, chairs, papers. FIRMIN is scornfully eyeing a newspaper article)

FIRMIN

"Mystery after gala night,"
if says, "Mystery of soprano's flight!"

"Mystified baffled Surete say,
we are mystified - we suspect foul play!"

(He lowers the paper)

Bad news on soprano scene -
first Carlotta, now Christine!
Still, at least the seats get sold
gossip's worth its weight in gold . . .

What a way to run a business!
Spare me these unending trials!
Half your cast disappears,
but the crowd still cheers!
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel -
It's a scandal that'll pack 'em in the aisles!

(ANDRE bursts in, in a temper)

ANDRE

Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!

FIRMIN

Andre, please don't shout . . .

It's publicity!
And the take is vast!
Free publicity!

ANDRE

But we have no cast . . .

FIRMIN (calmly)

But Andre, have you seen the queue?

(He has been sorting mail on his desk. Finding the two letters from the PHANTOM)

Oh, it seems you've got one too . . .

(He hands the letter to ANDRE, who opens it and reads):

ANDRE

"Dear Andre what a charming gala!
Christine enjoyed a great success!
We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left -
otherwise the chorus was entrancing,
but the dancing was a lamentable mess!"

FIRMIN (reading his)

"Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder:
my salary has not been paid.
Send it care of the ghost,
by return of post
P.T.O.: No-one likes a debtor,
so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"

FIRMIN AND ANDRE

Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain!

FIRMIN (examining both letters)

These are both signed "O.G." . . .

ANDRE

Who the hell is he?

BOTH (immediately realizing)

Opera ghost!

FIRMIN (unamused)

It's really not amusing!

ANDRE

He's abusing our position!

FIRMIN

In addition he wants money!

ANDRE

He's a funny sort of spectre . . .

BOTH

. . . to expect a large retainer!
Nothing plainer -
he is clearly quite insane!

(They are interrupted by the arrival of RAOUL, who
brandishes another of the PHANTOM'S notes)

RAOUL

Where is she?

ANDRE

You mean Carlotta?

RAOUL

I mean Miss Daae - where is she?

FIRMIN

Well, how should we know?

RAOUL

I want an answer -
I take it that you sent me this note?

FIRMIN

What's all this nonsense?

ANDRE

Of course not!

FIRMIN

Don't look at us!

RAOUL

She's not with you, then?

FIRMIN

Of course not!

ANDRE

We're in the dark . . .

RAOUL

Monsieur, don't argue -
Isn't this the letter you wrote?

FIRMIN

And what is it, that we're meant to have wrote?

(Realizing his mistake)

Written !
(RAOUL hands the note to ANDRE, who reads it)

ANDRE

"Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The Angel of Music has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again."

(The MANAGERS look mystified)

RAOUL

If you didn't write it, who did?

(CARLOTTA bursts in. She too has a letter, which has cheered her no more than the others)

CARLOTTA

Where is he?

ANDRE

Ah, welcome back!

CARLOTTA

Your precious patron - where is he?

RAOUL

What is it now?

CARLOTTA (to RAOUL)

I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent!

FIRMIN (to RAOUL)

And did you send it?

RAOUL

Of course not!

ANDRE

As if he would!

CARLOTTA

You didn't send it?

RAOUL

Of course not!

FIRMIN

What's going on . . .?

CARLOTTA (to RAOUL)

You dare to tell me, that this is not the letter you sent ? !

RAOUL

And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?

(RAOUL takes the letter and reads it)

"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered.
Christine Daae will be singing on your behalf tonight.
Be prepared for a great misfortune,
should you attempt to take her place."

(The MANAGERS are beginning to tire of the intrigue)

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Far too many notes for my taste -
and most of them about Christine!
All we've heard since we came is Miss Daae's name . . .

(GIRY suddenly appears, accompanied by MEG)

GIRY

Miss Daae has returned.

FIRMIN (drily)

I trust her midnight oil is well and truly burned.

ANDRE

Where precisely is she now?

GIRY

I thought it best that she went home . . .

MEG

She needed rest.

RAOUL

May I see her?

GIRY

No, monsieur, she will see no-one.

CARLOTTA

Will she sing?
Will she sing?

GIRY

Here, I have a note . . .

RAOUL, CARLOTTA AND ANDRE

Let me see it!

FIRMIN (snatching it)

Please!

FIRMIN (Opens the letter and reads. The PHANTOM'S voice gradually lakes over)

"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions.
I shall give you one last chance . . ."

PHANTOM'S VOICE (taking over)

Christine Daae has returned to you,
and I am anxious her career should progress.
In the new production of "Il Muto", you will therefore cast Carlotta as the Pageboy, and put Miss Daae in the role of Countess. The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal.
The role of the Pageboy is silent - which makes my casting, in a word ideal.

I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur.

FIRMIN (taking over)

"I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant, O.G."

CARLOTTA

Christine!

ANDRE

Whatever next . . .?

CARLOTTA

It's all a ploy to help Christine!

FIRMIN

This is insane . . .

CARLOTTA

I know who sent this:

(pointing an accusing finger)

The Vicomte - her lover!

RAOUL (ironical)

Indeed?

(To the OTHERS)

Can you believe this?

ANDRE (to CARLOTTA, in protest)

Signora!

CARLOTTA (half to the MANAGERS, half to herself)

O traditori!

FIRMIN (to CARLOTTA)

This is a joke!

ANDRE

This changes nothing!

CARLOTTA

O mentitori!

FIRMIN

Signora!

ANDRE

You are our star!

FIRMIN

And always will be!

ANDRE

Signora . . .

FIRMIN

The man is mad!

ANDRE

We don't take orders!

FIRMIN (announcing it to EVERYONE)

Miss Daae will be playing the Pageboy - the silent role . . .

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Carlotta will be playing the lead!

CARLOTTA (waxing melodramatic)

It's useless trying to appease me!
You're only saying this to please me!
Signori, e vero?
Non, non, non voglio udire !
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
Dio!

GIRY

Who scorn his word, beware to those . . .

CARLOTTA (to MANAGERS)

You have reviled me!

GIRY

The angel sees, the angel knows . . .

RAOUL

Why did Christine fly from my arms . . .?

CARLOTTA

You have rebuked me!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Signora, pardon us . . .

CARLOTTA

You have replaced me!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Please, Signora, we beseech you . . .

GIRY

This hour shall see your darkest fears . . .

MEG AND RAOUL

I must see her . . .

CARLOTTA

Abbandonata!
Deseredata!
0, sventurata!

GIRY

The angel knows, the angel hears . . .

RAOUL

Where did she go . . .?

CARLOTTA

Abbandonata!
Disgraziata!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr . . .

RAOUL, GIRY AND MEG

What new surprises lie in store . . .?

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Our star . . .!

CARLOTTA

Non vo' cantar!

(ALL look at CARLOTTA, as the MANAGERS approach her lovingly)

ANDRE

Your public needs you!

FIRMIN

We need you, too!

CARLOTTA (unassuaged)

Would you not rather have your precious little ingenue?

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Signora, no! the world wants you!

(The MANAGERS adopt their most persuasive attitudes)

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Prima donna, first lady of the stage!
Your devotees are on their knees to implore you !

ANDRE

Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?

FIRMIN

Think of how they all adore you!

BOTH

Prima donna, enchant us once again!

ANDRE

Think of your muse . . .

FIRMIN

And of the queues round the theatre!

BOTH

Can you deny us the triumph in store?
Sing, prima donna, once more!

(CARLOTTA registers her acceptance as the MANAGERS continue to cajole and the OTHERS reflect variously on the situation)

RAOUL

Christine spoke of an angel . . .

CARLOTTA (to herself, in triumph)

Prima donna your song shall live again!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN (to CARLOTTA)

Think of your public!

CARLOTTA

You took a snub but there's a public who needs you!

GIRY (referring to CHRISTINE)

She has heard the voice of the angel of music . . .

ANDRE AND FIRMIN (to CARLOTTA)

Those who hear your voice liken you to an angel!

CARLOTTA

Think of their cry of undying support !

RAOUL

Is this her angel of music . . .?

ANDRE (to FIRMlN)

We get our opera . . .

FIRMIN (to ANDRE)

She gets her limelight!

CARLOTTA

Follow where the limelight leads you!

MEG

Is this ghost an angel or a madman . . .?

RAOUL

Angel or madman . . .?

ANDRE AND FIRMIN (aside)

Leading ladies are a trial!

GIRY

Heaven help you, those who doubt . . .

CARLOTTA

You'll sing again, and to unending ovation!

RAOUL

Orders! Warnings!
Lunatic demands!

GIRY

This miscasting will invite damnation . . .

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Tears . . . oaths . . . lunatic demands are regular occurrences!

MEG

Bliss or damnation?
Which has claimed her . . .?

CARLOTTA

Think how you'll shine in that final encore!
Sing, prima donna, once more!

GIRY

Oh fools, to have flouted his warnings!

RAOUL

Surely, for her sake . . .

MEG

Surely he'll strike back . . .

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Surely there'll be further scenes - worse than this!

GIRY

Think, before these demands are rejected!

RAOUL

. . .I must see these demands are rejected!

MEG

. . . if his threats and demands are rejected!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve a chorus girl,
who's gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette,
entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
he must have been with her!

MEG AND RAOUL

Christine must be protected!

CARLOTTA

0, fortunata!
Non ancor
abbandonata!

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

You'd never get away
with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung
and in a foreign tongue
it's just the sort of story
audiences adore,
in fact a perfect opera!

RAOUL

His game is over!

GIRY

This is a game you cannot hope to win!

RAOUL

And in Box Five a new game will begin . . .

GIRY

For, if his curse is on this opera . . .

MEG

But if his curse is on this opera . . .

ANDRE AND FIRMIN

Prima donna the world is at your feet!
A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!

CARLOTTA

The stress that falls upon a famous prima donna!
Terrible diseases,
coughs and colds and sneezes!
Still, the dryest throat
will reach the highest note,
in search of perfect opera!

MEG AND GIRY

. . . then I fear the outcome . . .

RAOUL

Christine plays the Pageboy,
Carlotta plays the Countess . . .

GIRY

. . . should you dare to . .

MEG

. . . when you once again . . .

ALL

Light up the stage with that age old rapport!
Sing, prima donna, once more!

PHANTOM'S VOICE

So, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not met, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!

ALL

Once more!