The Phantom of the Opera1986

Madame Giry:
We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, monsieur.

Andre:
I see why. [looking at Meg Giry] Especially that little blonde angel!

Madame Giry:
My daughter, Meg Giry.

Firmin:
[looking at Christine] And that exceptional beauty? No relation, I trust?

Madame Giry:
Christine Daaé. Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, very promising.

Andre:
Daaé, did you say? N-n-no relation to the famous Swedish violinist?

Madame Giry:
His only child. Orphaned at seven, when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories.

Andre:
An orphan, you say?

Madame Giry:
I think of her as a daughter, also. Gentlemen, if you would kindly stand to one side...

[Andre and Firmin continue to watch the ballerinas dance, while Carlotta sings as loudly as she can to try to get their attention. The number ends.]

Carlotta:
All they want is dancing!

Lefevre:
The Vitcomte seemed excited for tonight's gala!

Carlotta:
I hope he as excited by dancing girls as your new managers, because I WILL NOT BE SINGING! Andiamo, tutti. No, es finito. Get my doggy, bring my doggy! Bye-bye! Bye-bye, dancing girls!

Andre:
[as Carlotta storms out] What do we do?

Lefevre:
Grovel. Grovel, grovel!

Andre:
Right.

Firmin:
Signora!

Carlotta:
I'm going now! It is finished!

Firmin:
You great beauty!

Andre:
Principessa, Bella Diva!

Carlotta:
Si, si!

Firmin:
Goddess of song!

Andre:
Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of 'Hannibal'?

Carlotta:
Yes, yes, yes, yes, ma no! Because I have not my costume for Act 3 because somebody not finish it! And... I HATE MY HAT!

Reyer:
Perhaps the signora could consider it a personal favor to oblige us with a private rendition? Unless, of course, Monsieur Reyer objects.

[Reyer splutters nervously]

Carlotta:
[appearing satisfied] If my managers command. Monsieur Reyer?

Reyer:
If my Diva commands.

Carlotta:
[smugly] Yes, I do. Everybody very quiet!

Andre:
[to Lefevre] Excuse me, sir, why exactly are you retiring?

Lefevre:
My health.

Carlotta:
PSH! You as well! [Piano starts to play; Carlotta sings as everyone winces] Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try. Then you'll find that once again you long to take your heart ba-

[A backdrop falls on Carlotta as people scream; a shadowy figure is barely seen moving away. A letter flutters down and Madame Giry picks it up]

Meg Giry:
He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!

Lefevre:
Signora, are you alright? Buquet! For God's sake man, what's going on up there?!

Joseph Buquet:
Please, monsieur, don't look at me! As God's my judge, I wasn't at my post. Please, monsieur, there's no one there! Or if there is... Well, then, it must be a ghost! [laughs]

Andre:
Signora, these things do happen.

Carlotta:
[seething] For the past three years, these things do happen, [To LeFevre] and did you stop them from happening? No! [To Firmin and Andre] And you two - you're as bad as him! "These things do happen"? Ma! Until you stop these things from happening, this thing [gestures at herself] does not happen! Ubaldo! Andiamo! Bring my doggy and my boxy!

[Carlotta storms out with her maid, seamstress, and hairdresser]

Piangi:
[to Firmin and Andre] Amateurs!

Carlotta:
Bye-bye and ciao! Now you see. Bye-bye, I'm really leaving!

Lefevre:
Gentlemen, good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Australia. [turns and walks out]

Andre:
[to Reyer] Signora Giudicelli, she will be coming back, won't she? [Reyer shrugs]

Madame Giry:
[holding letter] You think so, monsieur? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost.

Firmin:
Oh, God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!

Madame Giry:
He welcomes you to his opera house...

Firmin:
[exclaims] HIS opera house?

Madame Giry:
...and commands that you continue to leave box 5 empty for his use. And reminds you that his salary is due. [gives note to Andre]

Firmin:
His salary?!

Madame Giry:
Well, Monsieur Lefevre used to give him 20,000 francs a month.

Firmin:
[grabs note from Andre] 20,000 francs!?

Madame Giry:
Perhaps you can afford more? With the Vicomte as your patron?

Firmin:
Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us for the gala. But obviously we shall now have to cancel, as it appears we have lost our star! A full house, Andre. We shall have to refund a full house!

Madame Giry:
Christine Daaé could sing it, sir.

Andre:
What, a chorus girl? Don't be silly.

Madame Giry:
She has been taking lessons from a great teacher.

Andre:
Who?

Christine:
I don't know his name, Monsieur.

Madame Giry:
Let her sing for you, monsieur; she has been well taught.

Andre:
All right. Come on.

[Christine is reluctant; Madame Giry pulls her up front]

Reyer:
From the beginning of the aria, then. Please, mademoiselle.

Firmin:
Andre, this is doing nothing for my nerves.

Andre:
Oh, but she's very pretty.

Christine:
[nervously but sings beautifully as Andre and Firmin begin to gawk] Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye, Remember me, once in a while please promise me you'll try, Then you'll find, that once again you long to take your heart back and be free. If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me.

[Switches to scene of Christine singing in front of a full opera house]

Christine:
We never said our love was evergreen or as unchanging as the sea, But if you can still remember stop and think of me. Think of all the things we've shared and seen, Don't think about the way things might have been. Think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned. Imagine me, trying too hard to put you from my mind. Recall those days, look back on all those times, think of the things we'll never do - there will never be a day when I won't think of you.

[Crowd applauds]

Raoul:
[to himself] Can it be... can it be Christine? [out loud] Bravo! [sings] Long ago, it seems so long ago. How young and innocent we were! She may not remember me, but I remember her.

Christine:
[sung] Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade; they have their season, so do we, But please promise me that sometimes, you will think...(cadenza) of me!

[Crowd cheers]