Текст песни Webber Andrew Lloyd - 10-Notes/Prima Donna

THE MANAGERS' OFFICE
(Desk, chairs, papers. FIRMIN is scornfully eyeing a
newspaper article)
FIRMIN
"Mystery
after gala night,"
if says, "Mystery
of soprano's flight!"
"Mystified
baffled Surete say,
we are mystified -
we suspect foul play!"
(He lowers the paper)
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!
(ANDRE bursts in, in a temper)
ANDRE
Damnable!
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!
FIRMIN
Andre, please don't shout . . .
It's publicity!
And the take is vast!
Free publicity!
ANDRE
But we have no cast . . .
FIRMIN (calmly)
But Andre,
have you seen the queue?
(He has been sorting mail on his desk. Finding the two
letters from the PHANTOM):
Oh, it seems
you've got one too . . .
(He hands the letter to ANDRE, who opens it and reads):
ANDRE
"Dear Andre
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!"
FIRMIN (reading his)
"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!"
FIRMIN/ANDRE
Who would have the gall
to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain!
FIRMIN (examining both letters)
These are both signed "O.G." . . .
ANDRE
Who the hell is he?
BOTH (immediately realizing)
Opera ghost!
FIRMIN (unamused)
It's really not amusing!
ANDRE
He's abusing
our position!
FIRMIN
In addition
he wants money!
ANDRE
He's a funny
sort of spectre . . .
BOTH
. . . to expect a
large retainer!
Nothing plainer -
he is clearly quite insane!
(They are interrupted by the arrival of RAOUL, who
brandishes another of the PHANTOM'S notes)
RAOUL
Where is she?
ANDRE
You mean Carlotta?
RAOUL
I mean Miss Daae -
where is she?
FIRMIN
Well, how should we know?
RAOUL
I want an answer -
I take it that you sent me this note?
FIRMIN
What's all this nonsense?
ANDRE
Of course not!
FIRMIN
Don't look at us!
RAOUL
She's not with you, then?
FIRMIN
Of course not!
ANDRE
We're in the dark . . .
RAOUL
Monsieur, don't argue -
Isn't this the
letter you wrote?
FIRMIN
And what is it, that we're
meant to have wrote?
(Realizing his mistake)
Written !
(RAOUL hands the note to ANDRE, who reads it)
ANDRE
"Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The Angel of Music
has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again."
(The MANAGERS look mystified)
RAOUL
If you didn't write it, who did?
(CARLOTTA bursts in. She too has a letter, which has
cheered her no more than the others)
CARLOTTA
Where is he?
ANDRE
Ah, welcome back!
CARLOTTA
Your precious patron -
where is he?
RAOUL
What is it now?
CARLOTTA (to RAOUL)
I have your letter -
a letter which I
rather resent!
FIRMIN (to RAOUL)
And did you send it?
RAOUL
Of course not!
ANDRE
As if he would!
CARLOTTA
You didn't send it?
RAOUL
Of course not!
FIRMIN
What's going on . . .?
CARLOTTA (to RAOUL)
You dare to tell me,
that this is not the
letter you sent ? !
RAOUL
And what is it that I'm
meant to have sent?
(RAOUL takes the letter and reads it)
"Your days
at the Opera Populaire are numbered.
Christine Daae
will be singing on your behalf tonight.
Be prepared
for a great misfortune,
should you attempt