Overture / Hannibal Andrew Lloyd Webber & Victor Mcguire

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