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!