Overture / Hanibal

The trophy
From our saviors
From our saviors
From the enslaving force
Of Rome!

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 our step on ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!

Sad to return
To find the land we love
Threatened once more
By Roma's far-reaching grasp

Gentlemen, gentlemen

Rehearsals, as you can see
Are underway for a new production on Chalumeau's Hannibal

Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing!

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 rumours of my imminent retirement
I can now tell you that these are all true

Ah-ha!

And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen
Who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles André

And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron
The Vicomte de Chagny

My parents and I are honored to support all the arts
Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire

Vicomte, gentlemen
Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons

Brava! Brava!

Signor Ubaldo Piangi

An honour signor
I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal
I will be here this evening to share your great triumph
My apologies

Thank you, monsieur le Vicomte!
Once more if you please, signor

We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur

I see why
Especially that little blond angel

My daughter, Meg Giry

And that exceptional beauty
No relation, I trust?

Christine Daaé
Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin
Very promising

Daaé, did you say?
No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?

His only child
Orphaned at 7 when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories

An orphan, you say?

Hannibal's Friends!

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

All day!
All they want is the dancing!

Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala

I hope he is as excited about dancing girls as your new managers
Because I will not be singing!

What do we do?

Grovel
Grovel, grovel

Right

Bella Diva
Goddess of song

Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvellous aria for Elissa in Act. 3 of Hannibal?

Perhaps the signora-

Yes, Monsieur Reyer?

If my diva commands

Yes, I do!