Overture/Hannibal
This trophy from our saviours,
From our saviours
From the enslaving force of Rome!
With feasting and dancing and singing,
tonight in celebration,
we greet the victorious throng,
returned to bring salvation!
The trumpets of Carthage resound!
Hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to our step on the 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 see, are under way, for a new production of
Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'.
M. Lefevre, I am rehearsing.
M. Reyer, Mme. Giry, ladies and gentlemen, please, if I can 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 were all true, and it is my
pleasure to introduce to you
the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M. Richard
Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.
And we're deeply honored 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
Gentlemen, Signora Carlitta Guidicelli, our leading soprano for
five seasons now.
Signor Ubaldo Piangi.
An honour, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you for your rehearsal
I will be here this evening to share your great triumph
My apologies, monsieur
Thank you, M. Le Vicomte, once more, if you please, Signor
He love me
We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our
ballets, monsieur
I see why, especially the little blonde angel
My daughter, Meg Giry
And that exceptional beauty, no relation I trust
Christine Daae, promising talent, M. Firmin, very promising
Daae, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?
His only child, an orphan at seven when she came to live and
train in the Ballet Dormitory.
An orphan, you said?
Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests -
the elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests,
Dido sends
Hannibals friends!
The trumpeting elephants sound -
hear, Romans, now and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground -
hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
