Overture/Hannibal

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

Gentlemen, gentlemen

Rehearsals, as you can see, are under way

For a new production of 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 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 Andre

And we are deeply honoured to introduce our new patron

The Vicomte de Chagny

My parents and I are honoured 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 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, Monsieur le Vicomte

Once more if you please, signor (he loves me)

We take a particular pride

In the excellence of our ballet, monsieur

I see why, especially the little blonde 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-, no-, 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

Bid welcome to Hannibal's guest

The elephants of Carthage

As guides on our conquering guests

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!

All day! All they want is the dancing

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

Oh, o-ho-ho, allora, allora, allora

I hope he is as excited by dancing girls

As your new managers

Because I will not be singing

What do we do? (Bye-bye, dancing girls)

Grovel (bye-bye)

Grovel, grovel (right)

Principessa, bella diva (si, si, si)

Goddess of song (è vero)

Monsieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvellous aria

For Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"? (Perhaps the signora)

Yes, Monsieur Reyer?

If my diva commands

Yes, I do