Overture/Hannibal (Film Version)

LETRA

Overture/Hannibal (Film Version)

[Instrumental interlude]

This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours
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 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

[Maestro Reyer stops the rehearsal]

(spoken)

Gentlemen, gentlemen

[Lefevre walks in with Andre and Firmin]

Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal"

Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing!

Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, 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 were all true 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 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

Vicomte, Gentlemen—Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now. (Brava, brava!)
Signor Ubaldo Piangi

An honor​, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph

(to Reyer)
My apologies, Monsieur

Thank you, Monsieur le Vicomte

(to Piangi)
Once more, if you please, Signor

He love me!

We take a particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, Monsieur

I see why, especially that little blonde angel

My daughter, Meg Giry

And that exceptional beauty? No relation, I trust

Christine Daaé. Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin, very promising

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

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

An orphan, you say!

(sung)

Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests
The elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests
Dido sends Hannibal's friends!

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

(spoken)

All day! All they want is the dancing

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

Oh, ohh. Allora, allora, allora. I hope he is as excited by dancing girls as your new managers. Because I will not be singing! Bye-bye, dancing girls, bye-bye

What do we do?

Grovel. Grovel, grovel

Right

Principessa, Bella Diva

Si. Si si

Goddess of Song

Et bello

Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"?
Perhaps the Signora...

Yes, Monsieur Reyer?

If my diva commands

Yes, I do