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Notes/Prima Donna
Andrew Lloyd Webber
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'Mystery after gala night,'
It says, 'Mystery of soprano's flight!'
'Mystified,' baffled Sรปretรฉ 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!
Damnable! Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!
Andrรฉ, please don't shout
It's publicity! And the take is vast!
Free publicity!
But we have no cast
But Andrรฉ, have you seen the queue?
Oh, it seems you've got one too
'Dear Andrรฉ, 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!'
'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!'
ย
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 really not amusing!
He's abusing our position!
In addition he wants money!
He's a funny sort of spectre
...to expect a large retainer!
Nothing plainer -He is clearly quite insane!
Where is she? You mean Carlotta?
I mean Miss Daaรฉ - 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 Daaรฉ
The Angel of Music has her under his wing
Make no attempt to see her again.'
If you didn't write it, who did?
Where is he? Ah, 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 not the letter you sent?!
And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?
'Your days at the Opรฉra Populaire are numbered
Christine Daaรฉ 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 Daaรฉ's name
ย
Miss Daaรฉ has returned
I trust her midnight oil is well and truly burned
Where precisely is she now?
I thought it best that she went home. 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 Daaรฉ 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 Daaรฉ in the role of Countess
The role which Miss Daaรฉ 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 seat 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 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 Daaรฉ will be playing The Pageboy - the silent rรดle
Carlotta will be playing the lead!
It's useless trying to appease me!
You're only saying this to please me!
Signori, รจ vero?
Non, non, non voglio udire!
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
Dio!
Who scorn his word
Beware to those
The angel sees
The angel knows
Why did Christine fly from my arms...?
You have rebuked me!
Signora, pardon us
You have replaced me!
Please, Signora, we beseech you
I must see her... Abbandonata!
Deseredata! O, sventurata!
The angel knows, the angel hears
Where did she go? Abbandonata!
Disgraziata!
Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr
What new surprises lie in store?
Your public need you!
We need you, too!
Would you not rather have your precious little ingรฉnue?
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 muse 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!
She has heard the voice of the Angel of Music
Those who hear your voice
Liken you to an angel!
Think of their cry of undying support!
Is this her Angel of Music...?
We get our opera, she gets her limelight!
Follow where the limelight leads you!
Angel or madman?
Leading ladies are a trial!
Prima donna, your song shall never die!
Voice of hell, or of heaven...?
You'll sing again
Orders! Warnings!
Lunatic demands!
Are regular occurrences!
Think how you'll shine in that final encore!
Sing, prima donna
I must see these demands are rejected!
Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve a chorus girl
Who's 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!
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!
So, it is to be war between us!
If these demands are not met
A disaster beyond your imagination will occur!
Once more!
ย
Gentlemen, if you would care to take your seats?
I shall be sitting in Box Five
Do you really think that's wise, Monsieur?
My dear Andrรฉ, there would appear to be no seats available
Other than Box Five
ย
Serafimo, away with this pretence
You cannot speak
But kiss me in my husband's absence!
ย