The Phantom of the Opera (OLC1986)

PHANTOM Down once more to the dungeons Of my black despair! Down we plunge to the prison Of my mind. Down that path into darkness Deep as hell! (He rounds on her, bitterly) Why, you ask, was I bound and chained In this cold and dismal place? Not for any mortal sin But the wickedness of my abhorrent face! (He hears the offstage voices of the pursuing MOB) MOB Track down this murderer! He must be found! PHANTOM (moving off again)- Hounded out by everyone! Met with hatred everywhere! No kind words from anyone! No compassion anywhere! Christine, why? Why? MADAME GIRY Your hand at the level of your eyes. RAOUL At the level of your eyes. MOB At the level of your eyes. MADAME GIRY He lives across the lake,Monsieur. This is as far as I dare go. RAOUL Thank you. MOB- Track down this murderer he must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground! Too long he's preyed on us, but now we know, the phantom of the opera lives down below! CRISTINE Have you gorged yourself at last In your lust for blood? (no reply) Am I now to be prey To your lust for flesh? PHANTOM That fate which condemns me To wallow in blood Has also denied me The joys of the flesh. This face, the infection Which poisons our love. This face which earned A mother's fear and loathing. A mask, My first unfeeling Scrap of clothing. (he places veil on her head) Pity comes too late, Turn around and face your fate. An eternity of THIS Before your eyes! (they are almost touching, she looks coldly into his face) CRISTINE This haunted face Holds no horror for me now. It's in your soul That the true distortion lies. (the phantom senses Raoul's presence, behind the portcullis Raoul comes out of water) PHANTOM Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest. Sir. CRISTINE Raoul! PHANTOM (to Raoul)- This is indeed an unparalleled delight. I had rather hoped that you would come. And now my wish comes true. You have truly made my night. RAOUL (pleading)- Free her! Do what you like only free her! Have you no pity? PHANTOM (to Christine, dryly)- Your lover makes a passionate plea. CRISTINE Please, Raoul, it's useless. RAOUL I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her. Show some compassion. PHANTOM ( snarls furiosly at Raoul) The world showed no compassion to me! RAOUL Christine, Christine, let me see her. PHANTOM Be my guest, sir. Monsieur, I bid you welcome. Did you think that I would harm her? Why would I make her pay For the sins which are yours? Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now Except perhaps Christine. Start a new life with me. Buy his freedom with your love. Refuse me and you send your lover To his death! This is the choice! This is the point of no return! CRISTINE The tears I might have shed For your dark fate Grow cold and turn to tears of Hate! RAOUL Christine, forgive me. Please, forgive me. I did it all for you and all for nothing. CRISTINE Farewell, my fallen idol and false friend. We had such hopes. PHANTOM Too late for turning back. CRISTINE Now those hopes are shattered. PHANTOM Too late for prayers and pity. RAOUL Say you love him PHANTOM All hope of cries for help. RAOUL And my life is over PHANTOM No point in fighting. For either way you choose you cannot win. RAOUL But either way you choose he has to win. PHANTOM So do you end your days with me? Or do you send him to his grave? RAOUL Why make her lie to you to save me? CRISTINE Angel of music. PHANTOM Past the point of no return. RAOUL Christine, say no! CRISTINE Who deserves this? RAOUL Don't throw your life away for my sake. PHANTOM His life is now the prize CRISTINE Why do you trust me? PHANTOM Which you must earn, RAOUL I fought so hard to free you! PHANTOM You've past the point of no return! CRISTINE Angel of music You deceived me. I gave you my mind blindly. PHANTOM You try my patience. Make your choice. CRISTINE Pitiful creature of darkness What kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, You are not alone. MOB Track down this...

PHANTOM (DON JUAN) Past the point of no return - no backward glances: the games we've played till now are at an end . . . Past all thought of "if" or "when" - no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . . What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us . . .? Past the point of no return, the final threshold - what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return . . . CRISTINE (AMINTA) You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence . . . I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why . . . In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenceless and silent - and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided . . . Past the point of no return - no going back now: our passion-play has now, at last, begun . . . Past all thought of right or wrong - one final question: how long should we two wait, before we're one . . .? When will the blood begin to race the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames, at last, consume us . . .? BOTH Past the point of no return the final threshold - the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . . We've passed the point of no return . . . (By now the audience and the POLICE have realised that SIGNOR PIANGI is dead behind the curtain, and it is the PHANTOM who sings in his place. CHRISTINE knows it too. As final confirmation, the PHANTOM sings): PHANTOM Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime . . . Lead me, save me from my solitude . . . (He takes from his finger a ring and holds it out to her. Slowly she takes it and puts it on her finger.) Say you want me with you, here beside you . . . Anywhere you go let me go too - Christine that's all I ask of . . . (We never reach the word 'you', for CHRISTINE quite calmly reveals the PHANTOM'S face to the audience. As the FORCES OF LAW close in on the horrifying skull, the PHANTOM sweeps his cloak around her and vanishes. MEG pulls the curtain upstage, revealing PIANGI'S body garotted, propped against the bed, his head gruesomely tilted to one side. She screams.) TRANSFORMATION TO: REVERSE VIEW OF THE STAGE (POLICE, STAGEHANDS, etc. rush onto the stage in confusion. Also: ANDRE, FIRMIN, RAOUL, GIRY, CARLOTTA and MEG) CARLOTTA What is it? What has happened? Ubaldo! ANDRE Oh, my God . . . my God . . . FIRMIN We're ruined, Andre - ruined! GIRY (to RAOUL) Monsieur le Vicomte! Come with me! CARLOTTA (rushing over to PIANGI's body) Oh, my darling, my darling . . . who has done this ...? (hysterical, attacking ANDRE) You! Why did you let this happen? (She breaks down, as PIANGI's body is carried off on a stretcher) GIRY Monsieur le Vicomte, I know where they are. RAOUL But can I trust you? GIRY You must. But remember: your hand at the level of your eyes! RAOUL But why . . .? GIRY Why? The Punjab lasso, monsieur. First Buquet. Now Piangi. MEG (holding up her hand) Like this, monsieur. I'll come with you. GIRY No, Meg! No, you stay here! (to RAOUL) Come with me, monsieur. Hurry, or we shall be too late

PHANTOM Wandering child So lost, so helpless Yearning for my guidance CHRISTINE Angel or father Friend or phantom Who is it there staring? PHANTOM Have you forgotten your angel CHRISTINE Angel, oh speak What endless longings Echo in this whisper PHANTOM Too long you've wandered in winter Far from my fathering gaze CHRISTINE Wildly my mind beats against you PHANTOM You resist PHANTOM/CHRISTINE Yet your/the soul obeys.... PHANTOM Angel of Music! You denied me Turning from true beauty Angel of Music! Do not shun me Come to your strange Angel... CHRISTINE Angel of Music! I denied you Turning from true beauty Angel of Music! My protector.... Come to me, strange Angel... PHANTOM I am your Angel of Music... Come to me, Angel of Music RAOUL (spoken) No, Christine, wait! Wait! CHRISTINE (spoken) Raoul! RAOUL (spoken) Whatever you believe This man-this thing-is not your father! She turns lo RAOUL who embraces her protectively. The PHANTOM freezes for a moment and then suddenly seizes a pike upon which is impaled a skull. At a movement from him a flash of fire streaks from the gaping mouth of the skull and lands at RAOUL's feet) PHANTOM Bravo, monsieur! Such spirited words! (Another fireball) RAOUL More tricks, monsieur? PHANTOM Let's see, monsieur how far you dare go! (Another fireball) RAOUL More deception? More violence? CHRISTINE (to RAOUL) Raoul, no . . . (RAOUL has begun to walk slowly and resolutely towards the PHANTOM the fireballs always landing just ahead of him) PHANTOM That's right, that's right, monsieur keep walking this way! (Two more fireballs) RAOUL You can't win her love by making her your prisoner. CHRISTINE Raoul, don't . . . RAOUL (to CHRISTINE) Stay back! PHANTOM I'm here, I'm here, monsieur: the angel of death! Come on, come on, monsieur Don't stop, don't stop! (Three more fireballs. RAOUL. is almost at the PHANTOM's feet. A confrontation is imminent when CHRISTINE suddenly rushes across to RAOUL) CHRISTINE Raoul! Come back . . . (She pulls him away) PHANTOM Don't go! (As they are exiting, the PHANTOM declaims in fury): So be it! Now let it be war upon you both! (At a gesture from the PHANTOM, there is a flash of lighting and the stage erupts into flame) BEFORE THE PREMIERE THE OPERA HOUSE ON THE NIGHT OF THE PREMIERE OF "DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT'' (The orchestra is tuning. A whistle soundsQthe CHIEF FIRE OFFICER is reviewing two FIRE MARSHALLS in tin helmets. A worklight on a stand illuminates them. Also present are RAOUL, ANDRE and FIRMIN, supervising the proceedings, and a MARKSMAN, at present hidden in the pit)

You were once my one companion You were all that mattered You were once a friend and father Then my world was shattered Wishing you were somehow here again Wishing you were somehow near Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed Somehow you would be here Wishing I could here your voice again Knowing that I never would Dreaming of you helped me to do All that you dreamed I could Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental Seem for you the wrong companion, you were warm and gentle Too many years Fighting back tears Why can't the past just die! Wishing you were here again Knowing we must say goodbye Try to forgive Teach me to live Give me the strength to try! No more memories No more silent tears No more gazing across the wasted years Help me say goodbye Help me say goodbye!

ANDRE: Ludicrous! Have you seen the score? FIRMIN: Simply ludicrous! ANDRE: It's the final straw! FIRMIN: This is lunacy! Well, you know my views ANDRE: ...Utter lunacy! FIRMIN: But we daren't refuse ... ANDRE: Not another chandelier FIRMIN: ...Look, my friend, what we have here ... ANDRE: "Dear Andre, Re my orchestrations: We need another first bassoon. Get a player with tone - and that third trombone has to go! The man could not be deafer, so please preferably one who plays in tune!" FIRMIN: "Dear Firmin, vis a vis my opera: some chorus-members must be sacked. If you could, find out which has a sense of pitch - wisely, though, I've managed to assign a rather minor role to those who cannot act!" CARLOTTA: Outrage! FIRMIN: What is it now? CARLOTTA: This whole affair is an outrage! ANDRE: Now what's the matter? CARLOTTA: Have you seen the size of my part? ANDRE: Signora, listen ... PIANGI: It's an insult! FIRMIN: Not you as well! PIANGI: Just look at this - it's an insult! FIRMIN: Please, understand ... ANDRE: Signor! Signora! CARLOTTA: The things I have to do for my art! PIANGI: If you can call this gibberish "art" ! CARLOTTA: Ah! Here's our little flower! FIRMIN: Ah Miss Daae, quite the lady of the hour! ANDRE: You have secured the largest role in this "Don Juan". CARLOTTA: Christine Daae? She doesn't have the voice! FIRMIN: Signora, please! RAOUL: Then I take it you're agreeing. CARLOTTA: She's behind this ... ANDRE: It appears we have no choice. CARLOTTA: She's the one behind this! Christine Daae! CHRISTINE: How dare you! CARLOTTA: I'm not a fool! CHRISTINE: You evil woman! How dare you! CARLOTTA: You think I'm blind? CHRISTINE: This isn't my fault! I don't want any part in this plot! FIRMIN: Miss Daae, surely ... ANDRE: But why not? PIANGI: What does she say? FIRMIN: It's your decision But why not? CARLOTTA: She's backing out! ANDRE: You have a duty! CHRISTINE: I cannot sing it, duty or not! RAOUL: Christine ... Christine ... You don't have to ... they can't make you ... GIRY: Please, monsieur: another note. "Fondest greetings to you all ! A few instructions just before rehearsal starts: PHANTOM Carlotta must be taught to act ... ," ... not her normal trick of strutting round the stage. Our Don Juan must lose some weight - it's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age. And my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts. As for Miss Christine Daae ... No doubt she'll do her best - it's true her voice is good. She knows, though, should she wish to excel she has much still to learn, if pride will let her return to me, her teacher, her teacher ... GIRY: Your obedient friend ... "... and Angel ..." RAOUL: We have all been blind - and yet the answer is staring us in the face ... This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend ... ANDRE: We're listening FIRMIN: ...Go on. RAOUL: We shall play his game - perform his work - but remember we hold the ace ... For, if Miss Daae sings, he is certain to attend ... ANDRE: We make certain the doors are barred ... FIRMIN: We make certain our men are there ... RAOUL: We make certain they're armed ... ANDRE/FIRMIN/RAOUL: The curtain falls. His reign will end! GIRY: Madness! ANDRE: I'm not so sure ... FIRMIN: Not if it works ... GIRY: This is madness! ANDRE: The tide will turn! GIRY: Monsieur, believe me - there is no way of turning the tide! FIRMIN: You stick to ballet! RAOUL: Then help us! GIRY: Monsieur, I can't ... RAOUL: Instead of warning us ... RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN: Help us! GIRY: I wish I could ... RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN: Don't make excuses! RAOUL: Or could it be that you're on his side? GIRY: Monsieur, believe me, I intend no ill ... But messieurs, be careful - we have seen him kill ... ANDRE/FIRMIN: We say he'll fall and fall he will! CARLOTTA: She's the one behind this! Christine! This is a ploy to help, Christine! PIANGI: This is the truth! Christine Daae! RAOUL: This is his undoing! ANDRE/FIRMIN: If you succeed you free us all - this so called "angel" has to...

CHORUS Masquerade! Paper faces on parade ... Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade ... Masquerade! Look around - there's another mask behind you! Flash of mauve ... Splash of puce ... Fool and king ... Ghoul and goose ... Green and black ... Queen and priest ... Trace of rouge ... Face of beast ... Faces ... Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round ... in an inhuman race ... Eye of gold ... Thigh of blue ... True is false ... Who is who ...? Curl of lip ... Swirl of gown ... Ace of hearts ... Face of clown ... Faces ... Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light ... in the sound ... But who can name the face ...? Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds ... Masquerade! Take your fill - let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads ... Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies ... Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes ... Masquerade! Run and hide - but a face will still pursue you! CARLOTTA: What a night! FIRMIN What a crowd! ANDRE Makes you glad FIRMIN Makes you proud! All the crème, De la crème MADAME GIRY: (Overlapping) Watching us?. MEG (Overlapping) Watching them CARLOTTA: (Overlapping) All our fears are in the past ANDRE Three months PIANGI Of relief! CARLOTTA Of delight! ANDRE Of Elysian peace! PIANGI And we can breathe at last. CARLOTTA: No more notes PIANGI No more ghost MADAME GIRY Here's a health ANDRE Here's a toast, to a prosperous year FIRMIN To our friends who are here PIANGI AND CARLOTTA And may the splendor never fade! FIRMIN ANDRE What a blessed release! MADAME GIRY And what a masquerade! CRISTINE Think of it (Spoken) A secret engagement. Look, your future bride. Just think of it. RAOUL: (Spoken) But, why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me. CRISTINE: (Spoken) No, Raoul, please don't, they'll see. RAOUL: (Spoken) Well then let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime. (Sung) Christine, what are you afraid of? CRISTINE(and RAOUL in parenthesis): Let's not argue(Let's not argue)/Please pretend (I can only hope)/You will understand in time (I'll understand in time) CHORUS/Crowd: Masquerade! Paper faces on parade Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you Masquerade! Every face a different shade Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you Masquerade! Grinning yellows, Spinning reds Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you. ( Voices fade and turn to gasps as th lights dim and the Phantom appears at the top of th stairways ) PHANTOM Why so silent, good Messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good Messieurs? I have written you an opera. Here, I bring the finished score. Don Juan Triumphant! Fondest greetings to you all A few instructions just before rehearsal starts Carlotta must be taught to act Not her normal trick of strutting round the stage Our Don Juan must lose some weight It's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age And my managers must learn that their place is in an office Not the arts As for our star, Miss Christine Daae... No doubt she'll do her best It's true, her voice is good She knows, though Should she wish to excell She has much still to learn If pride will let her return to me, her teacher Her teacher... Phantom: Your chains are still mine, (spoken) You belong to me!

CARLOTTA Poor fool, he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Time I tried to get a better, better half CARLOTTA & CHORUS Poor fool, he doesn't know, ho ho ho ho ho CHORUS Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho, ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho CARLOTTA Ho ho, ho oh oh oh oh ho ho ho, ho ho, ho oh oh oh oh ho ho ho CARLOTTA & CHORUS If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go PHANTOM Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty? MEG He's here, the Phantom of the Opera! CHRISTINE It's him... CARLOTTA Your part is silent, little toad! PHANTOM A toad, madame? Perhaps it is you who are the toad. CARLOTTA Maestro, da capo, per favore. Serafimo, away with this pretence You cannot speak, but kiss me in my *croak* REYER Gentlemen, please please! CARLOTTA Poor fool, he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha *croak* *croak* *croak* *croak* *croak* *croak* Mother! FIRMIN Bring the curtain in, will you, please, please, bring the curtain - Ladies and gentlemen, the performance will continue in ten minutes time, When the role of the Countess will be played by Miss Daaé. Thank you! ANDRE Meanwhile we'd like to give you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera. RAOUL Are you all right? CHRISTINE Raoul, we're not safe here! FIRMIN Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. Do not panic, it's simply an accident, an accident!

ACTO SEGUNDO Es la noche del baile de Mascaras en la gran escalinata del teatro. Nadie ha tenido noticias del Fantasma por los últimos seis meses. Christine y Raoul están comprometidos, pero lo mantienen en secreto. Christine lleva escondido su anillo de compromiso colgando de un collar. De pronto aparece el Fantasma disfrazado como La Muerte Roja, y entrega a los gerentes la partitura de su ópera, exigiendo que se estrene Don Juan Triunfante. Al principio, los gerentes se niegan a producir esta extraña y perturbadora obra. Luego, con ayuda de Raoul, diseñan un plan para atrapar al fantasma utilizando a Christine como carnada. Se hacen los planes para Don Juan Triunfante… y para la trampa. Abrumada por las circunstancias, Christine visita la tumba de su padre para estar sola, pero allí se encuentra el Fantasma, invitándola a unirse a él. Momentos más tarde, Raoul aparece y la rescata. Llega finalmente la noche del estreno de Don Juan Triunfante. El Teatro esta rodeado de guardias y policías, ansiosos por atrapar al Fantasma. Cerca del final de la ópera, el Fantasma toma secretamente el lugar de Piangi, el protagonista. Confronta en el escenario a Christine durante la función y escapa con ella, una vez mas, a su escondite. En un enfrentamiento final, el Fantasma le ofrece a Christine dos opciones: quedarse con él para siempre, o Raoul muere. La decisión de Christine lleva a la historia de EL FANTASMA DE LA OPERA a su final. En marzo de 2010 ha sido lanzada una secuela del musical original de 1986 llamado Love Never Dies. La obra transcurre en un parque de diversiones en Coney Island (Nueva York) diez años después del desenlace de The Phantom of the Opera y puede verse actualmente en el Adelphi Theatre de Londres.

CRISTINE I must go, they'll wonder where I am come with me Raoul... RAOUL Christine, I love you... (They kiss) CRISTINE Order your fine horses Be with them at the door! RAOUL And soon you'll be beside me... CRISTINE You'll guard me and you'll guide me... PHANTOM (Picks up Christine's rose) I gave you my music Made your song take wing And now, how you've repaid me Denied me and betrayed me He was bound to love you When he heard you sing! [whispered] Christine... (The Phantom begins to cry) CRISTINE AND RAOUL in the distance Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime! Say the word and I will follow you Share each day with me, each night, each morning.. PHANTOM (Climbing the statue) You will curse the day you did not do All that the Phantom asked of you!

RAOUL No more talk of darkness, Forget these wide-eyed fears I'm here, nothing can harm you my words will warm and calm you Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you... CHRISTINE Say you love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime... Say you need me with you now and always... Promise me that all you say is true that's all I ask of you RAOUL Let me be your shelter let me be your light You're safe, No one will find you your fears are far behind you... CHRISTINE All I want is freedom, a world with no more night and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me... RAOUL Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime let me lead you from your solitude Say you need me with you here, beside you... anywhere you go, let me go too Christine, that's all I ask of you... CHRISTINE Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime... say the word and I will follow you... (right) BOTH: Share each day with me, each night, each morning... (right) CHRISTINE Say you love me... RAOUL You know I do... BOTH Love me - that's all I ask of you Anywhere you go let me go too Love me - that's all I ask of you...

RAOUL Why have you brought me here? CHRISTINE Can´t go back there! RAOUL We must return! CHRISTINE He'll kill you! His eyes will find us there! RAOUL Christine, don't say that. CHRISTINE Those eyes that burn! RAOUL Don't even think it CHRISTINE And if he has to kill a thousand men RAOUL Forget this waking nightmare... CHRISTINE The Phantom of the Opera will kill... RAOUL This phantom is a fable Believe me CHRISTINE ...and kill again! RAOUL There is no Phantom of the Opera BOTH My God, who is this man... CHRISTINE ...who hunts to kill? RAOUL ...this mask of death? CHRISTINE I can't escape from him... RAOUL Whose is this voice you hear... CHRISTINE ...I never will! RAOUL ...with every breath? BOTH And in this labyrinth, where night is blind the Phantom of the Opera is here/there inside my/your mind... RAOUL There is no Phantom of the Opera... CHRISTINE Raoul, I've been there to his world of unending night To a world with the daylight dissolves into darkness... darkness... Raoul, I've seen him! Can I ever forget that sight? Can I ever escape from that face? So distorted, deformed, it was hardly a face in that darkness... darkness... But his voice filled my spirit with a strange, sweet sound... In that night there was music in my mind... And through music my soul began to soar! And I heard as I'd never heard before... RAOUL What you heard was a dream and nothing more... CHRISTINE Yet in his eyes all the sadness of the world Those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore RAOUL Christine... Christine... PHANTOM Christine... CHRISTINE (whisper) What was that?

FIRMIN "Mystery after gala night," it says, "Mystery of soprano's flight!" "Mystified baffled Surete say, we are mystified - we suspect foul play!" 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 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 But Andre, have you seen the queue? Oh, it seems you've got one too . . . 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 "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/ANDRE Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain! FIRMIN These are both signed "O.G." . . . ANDRE Who the hell is he? BOTH Opera ghost! FIRMIN 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! 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 ! ANDRE "Do not fear for Miss Daae. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again." RAOUL If you didn't write it, who did? CARLOTTA Where is he? ANDRE Ah, welcome back! CARLOTTA Your precious patron - where is he? RAOUL What is it now? CARLOTTA I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent! FIRMIN 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 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? "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." ANDRE/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 Miss Daae has returned. FIRMIN 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/ANDRE Let me see it! FIRMIN Please! (Opens the letter and reads. The PHANTOM'S voice gradually takes 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...

JOSEPH Like yellow parchment is his skin ... A great black hole served as the nose that never grew ... You must be always on your guard, Or he will catch you with his magical lasso! MADAME GIRY Those who speak of what they know find, Too late, that prudent silence is wise. Joseph Buquet, hold your tongue - Keep your hand at the level of your eyes!

CRISTINE I remember there was mist... Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat And in the boat there was a man Who was that shape in the shadows? Whose is the face in the mask? [She removes his mask. Phantom covers his face] PHANTOM Damn you You little prying Pandora You little demon Is this what you wanted to see? Curse you, you little lying Delilah You little viper Now you cannot ever be free Damn you, curse you... Stranger than you dreamt it Can you even dare to look, or bear to think of me This loathesome gargoyle Who burns in hell, But secretly yearns for heaven Secretly, secretly Oh Christine... Fear can turn to love You'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster This repulsive carcass Who seems a beast but secretly dreams of beauty, Secretly, secretly Oh, Christine... (Christine hands the Phantom his mask) Come, we must return, those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you.

PHANTOM Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation Darkness stirs and wakes imagination Silently the senses abandon their defences ... Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light - and listen to the music of the night ... Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams! Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before! Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar! And you'll live as you've never lived before ... Softly, deftly, music shall surround you ... Feel it, hear it, closing in around you ... Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind, in this darkness which you know you cannot fight - the darkness of the music of the night ... Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world! Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before! Let your soul take you where you long to be ! Only then can you belong to me ... Floating, falling, sweet intoxication! Touch me, trust me savour each sensation! Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write - the power of the music of the night ... You alone can make my song take flight - help me make the music of the night

CHRISTINE In sleep he sang to me In dreams he came That voice which calls to me And speaks my name And do I dream again For now I find The Phantom of the opera is there Inside my mind PHANTOM Sing once again with me Our strange duet My power over you Grows stronger yet And though you turn from me To glance behind The Phantom of the opera is there Inside your mind CHRISTINE Those who have seen your face Draw back in fear I am the mask you wear PHANTOM It's me they hear TOGETHER My/your spirit and your/my voice In one combined The phantom of the opera is there Inside your/my mind He's there the Phantom of the opera Beware the Phantom of the opera PHANTOM In all your phantasies You always knew That man and mystery CHRISTINE Were both in you TOGETHER And in this labyrinth Where night is blind The phantom of the opera is there Inside your/my mind PHANTOM Sing my angel of music CRISTINE He's there The phantom of the opera Christine starts wailing The phantom Sing... PHANTOM Sing for me... Sing, my angel of music! Sing for me!

RAOUL Little Lotte let her mind wander CHRISTINE You remember that, too RAOUL (continuing) Little Lotte thought: Am I fonder of dolls BOTH (CHRISTINE joining in) or of goblins, of shoes CHRISTINE or of riddles. of frocks RAOUL Those picnics in the attic or of chocolates CHRISTINE Father playing the violin RAOUL As we read to each other dark stories of the North CHRISTINE "No what I love best, Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" BOTH the Angel of Music sings song in my head! PHANTOM Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph CRISTINE Angel, I hear you speak, I listen, stay by my side, guide me Angel, my soul was weak forgive me, enter at last, master PHANTOM Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside CRISTINE Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant to me your glory Angel of music, hide no longer, come to me strange Angel

PHANTOM Bravi, bravi, bravissimi MEG Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret Who is this new tutor? CRISTINE Father once spoke of an angel I used to dream he'd appear Now as I sing, I can sense him And I know he's here Here in this room he calls me softly somewhere inside hiding Somehow I know he's always with me he - the unseen genius MEG Christine, you must have been dreaming stories like this can't come true Christine, you're talking in riddles and it's not like you CRISTINE Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory! MEG Who is this angel? This (Both) Angel of Music! Hide no longer! Secret and strange angel... CRISTINE He's with me, even now... MEG Your hands are cold CRISTINE All around me MEG Your face, Christine, it's white CRISTINE It frightens me MEG Don't be frightened

CHRISTINE: Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while - please promise me you'll try. When you 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 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 . . . RAOUL: Can it be? Can it be Christine? Bravo! Long ago, it seems so long ago How young and innocent we were... She may not remember me, but I remember her... CHRISTINE Flowers fades, The fruits of summer fade, They have their seasons, so do we but please promise me, that sometimes you will think of me!

The Phantom of the Opera o El fantasma de la ópera es una obra de teatro musical de Andrew Lloyd Webber, basado en la novela de Gastón Leroux. Lleva el record de ser la obra creativa que ha ganado más dinero con tres mil millones de dólares en ventas. La música de la versión de Webber fue escrita especialmente para la voz de su esposa durante aquella época, la cantante Sarah Brightman. ACTO PRIMERO El teatro esta en medio de un ensayo para la opera “Aníbal”. Monsieur Lefevre, el gerente que se esta retirando, recorre el gran escenario con los nuevos propietarios, Messieurs Firmin y André, en ese momento cae un pesado telón atentado contra la vida de Carlotta, la prima Donna. Se eleva el grito de advertencia, “¡Es el Fantasma de la Opera!”. Ofendida, Carlotta se rehúsa a cantar. Desesperados por encontrar un reemplazo, Meg Giry, la hija de la maestra de ballet (Madame Giry) sugiere para reemplazar a la prima Donna, a su amiga Christine Daeé, ya que ha estado tomando clases con un misterioso nuevo maestro. En la primera función de Christine, Raoul, entonces un joven noble la reconoce como su amiga de la infancia. Deseoso de llevarla a cenar luego de la función, va a camarines a reencontrarse con ella, pero Christine le dice que no puede ya que su maestro, “El Ángel de la Música” es muy estricto. Sin tomar por ciertos los temores de Christine, Raoul sale del camarín para esperarla fuera del teatro. Aparece entonces el Fantasma, y Christine es seducida a las oscuras profundidades del Teatro. Al entrar al escondite subterráneo del fantasma, él le confiesa su amor y Christine es enfrentada con una tenebrosa visión de si misma vistiendo un traje de novia. En estado de shock, ella se desmaya y despierta horas mas tarde. El Fantasma está al piano, componiendo. Christine se acerca a él sigilosa, pudiendo evitar su curiosidad, le arranca la máscara. Decepcionado, el Fantasma lleva a Christine nuevamente a la superficie. Aun queriendo ser aceptado por Christine, el Fantasma envía notas a todos los involucrados en la ópera dando instrucciones de que la joven protagonice la nueva obra, Il Muto. Los gerentes se niegan a acatar las demandas del Fantasma e Il Muto prosigue como había sido planeada. Con Carlotta protagonizando y Christine en un rol secundario, un desastre golpea el teatro: el jefe de tramoya, Joseph Buquet es asesinado, y Carlotta enmudece. En la confusión, Raoul y Christine se escapan a la azotea del teatro. Allí, rodeados por la ciudad de Paris, juran su amor mutuo, pero ignoran que el Fantasma ha escuchado sus votos de amor. Furioso por la traición de Christine, el Fantasma causa el desastre final de la noche, el poderoso candelabro cae estrellándose en el piso.