Lyrics Andrew Lloyd Webber - 03 - Think Of Me - OST The Phantom of the Opera

(We have reached the great choral scene in which HANNIBAL
and his army return to save Carthage from the Roman incasion under Scipio.
HANNIBAL is UBALDO PIANGI; ELISSA, Queen
of Carthage (his mistress) is CARLOTTA GIUDICELLI. The two leading
SLAVE GIRLS are played
by MEG GIRY and CHRISTINE DAAE. MME GIRY is the ballet mistress. M.
REYER, the repetiteur,
is in charge, We join the opera towards the end of ELISSA's
(CARLOTTA's)
great aria. She is alone, holding a present from the approaching HANNIBAL,
a bleeding severed head)

This trophy 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.

Signor ... If you please; 'Rome'. We say 'Rome', not 'Roma'.

Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me. (practicing) Rome... Rome ...)

Once again, then if you please, Signor: 'Sad to return ...'
This way, gentlemen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are under way,
for a new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'.

Ladies and geltlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met M.
Andre and M. FIRMIN ...

I'm sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing.
If you wouldn't mind waiting for a moment?

My apologies. M. REYER, Proceed, proceed ...

Thank you, monsieur. (turning back to PIANGI). 'Sad to return ...',
Signor ...

M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur, Rather a ttyrant, I'm afraid.

Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp.
Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome.
Tonight, rejoice - your army has come home.

Signor Piangi, our pricipal tenor. He does play so well opposite La Carlotta.

Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?

My apologies, Mme. Giry.
Madame Giry, our ballet mistress. I don't mind confessing, M.
FIRMIN, I shan't be sorry to be rid of the whole blessed business.

I keep asking you, monsieur, why exactly are you retiring?

We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets.

Who's that girl, Lefevre?

Her? Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter.
Promising dancer. M. Andre, most promising.

You! Christine Daae! Concentrate, girl!
Christine ... What's the matter?
Daae? Curious name. Swedish.
Any relation to the violinist?
His daughter, I believe. Always has her head in the clouds, I'm afraid.

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

Once more to my welcoming arms
my love returns in splendour!

Once more to those sweetest of charms
my heart and soul surrender!

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

Ladies and gentlemen - Madame Giry,
thank you - may I have your attention please?
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
to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M.
Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.

Gentlemen, Signora Carlitta Guidicelli,
our leading soprano for five seasons now.

Of course, of course.
I have experienced all your greatest roles, Signora.

And Signor Ubaldo Piangi.
An honour, Signor.

If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of 'Hannibal'.
I wonder, Signora, if, as a per