Notes? / Prima Donna (Medley)

Mystery after gala night

It says, "Mystery of soprano's flight"

"Mystified," all the papers 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

Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hint

Damnable

Will they all walk out?

This is damnable

André, please don't shout

It's publicity

And the take is vast

Free publicity

But we have no cast

André, have you seen the queue?

Oh, it seems you've got one too

Dear André, what a charming gala

Christine was in the world's sublime

We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left

On that note the diva is a disaster

Must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime

Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder

My salary has not been paid

Send it care of the ghost

By return of post, PTO

No one likes a debtor

So it's better if my orders are obeyed

Who would have the gall to send this?

Someone with a puerile brain

These are both signed "O. G."

Who the hell is he?

Opera Ghost!

It's nothing short of shocking

He's mucking our position

In addition he wants money

What a funny aberration to expect a large retainer

Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane

Where is she? (You mean Carlotta?)

I mean Miss Daaé, where is she?

Well, how should we know? (I want an answer)

I take it that you sent me this note

What's all this nonsense?

Of course not (don't look at us)

She's not with you, then?

Of course not (we're in the dark)

Monsieur, don't argue, isn't this the letter you wrote?

And what is it that we're meant to have wrote?

Written

Do not fear for Miss Daaé

The Angel of Music has her under his wing

Make no attempt to see her again

If you didn't write it, then who did?

Where is he? (Oh, welcome back)

Your precious patron

Where is he? (What is it now?)

I have your letter

A letter which I rather resent

And did you send it?

Of course not (as if he would)

You didn't send it?

Of course not (what's going on?)

You dare to tell me, that this is nos the letter you sent?

And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?

Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered

Christine Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight

Be prepared for a great misfortune

Should you attempt to take her place

Far too many notes for my taste

And most of them about Christine

All we've heard since we came is Miss Daaé's name

Miss Daaé has returned

I hope no words for as far as we're concerned

Where precisely is she now?

I thought it best that she was alone

She needed rest

May I see her?

No, monsieur, she will see no one

Will she sing? Will she sing?

Here, I have a note

Let me see it

Please

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

Christine Daaé 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 Daaé in the role of Countess

The role which Miss Daaé 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 normal set in Box Five

Which will be kept empty for me

Should these commands be ignored

A disaster beyond your imagination will occur

I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, O. G.

Christine! (Whatever next?)

It's all about a ploy to help Christine

(This is insane) I know who sent this

The Vicomte, her lover (Indeed?)

(Can you believe this?)

Signora! (O traditori)

This is a joke, this changes nothing (o mentitori)

Signora!

You are our star and always will be

Signora!

The man is mad! We don't take orders

Miss Daaé will be playing the Pageboy

The silent role

Carlotta will be playing the lead

It's useless trying to appease me

You're only saying this to please me

Signor, è vero?

Non, non, non voglio udire

Lasciatemi morire

O padre mio, Dio

Who scorn his word, beware to those (you have reviled me!)

The angel sees, the angel knows

You have rebuked me (signora, pardon us?)

You have replaced me (please, signora, we beseech you)

This hour shall see your darkest fears

The angel knows, the angel hears

Signora, sing for us, don't be a martyr

What new surprises lie in store?

Would you please give this to Miss Daaé?

Miss Daaé!

Your public needs you

We need you too

Wouldn't you rather have your precious little ingénue?

Signora, no! The world wants you

Prima Donna, first lady of the stage

Your devotees are on their knees to implore you

Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?

Think of how they all adore you

Prima Donna, enchant us once again

Think of your must and of the queues 'round the theatre!

Can you deny us the triumph in store?

Sing, Prima Donna, once more (Christine spoke of an angel)

Prima Donna, your song shall live again

(Think of your public) you took a snub

But there's a public who needs you

Those who hear your voice liken you to an angel

Think of the cry of undying support (we get our opera)

Follow where the limelight leads you (she gets her limelight)

Leading ladies are a trial

Prima Donna, your song shall never die

You'll sing again (orders, warning)

(Lunatic demands are regular occurrences)

Think how you'll shine in that final encore (surely there'll be further scenes)

Sing, Prima Donna, once more (worse than this)

(I must see these demands are rejected!)

Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve

A chorus girl whose gone and slept with the patron?

Raoul and the soubrette entwined in love's duet

Although he may demur he must have been with her

You'd never get away with all this in a play

But if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue

It's just the sort of story, audiences adore

In fact, a perfect opera (for if his curse is on this opera)

Prima Donna, the world is at your feet

A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!

Light up the stage with that age-old rapport

Sing, Prima Donna

Once more!