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Single / Track
Prima Donna (from The Phantom of The Opera)
Lyrics
"Mystery after gala night"
It says, "Mystery of sopranos 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 hit
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?
Ah, it seems you've got one, too
"Dear André, what a charming gala
Christine was in a word sublime
We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left
On that note: The diva's 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
P.t.o. 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 is nothing short of shocking
He is mocking our position
In addition, he wants money
What a funny apparition
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
Isn't this the letter you wrote?
And what is it that we're meant to have wrote? Written
"Do not fear for Miss Daae
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?
A letter which I rather resent
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 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
I hope no worse for wear as far as we're concerned
Where precisely is she now?
I thought it best she was alone
No monsieur, she will see no one
Will she sing? Will she sing?
"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 seat in Box 5
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
It's all a ploy to help Christine
I know who sent this, The Vicomte, her lover
Indeed? Can you believe this?
Miss Daaé will be playing the pageboy
Carlotta will be playing the lead
It's useless trying to appease me
You're only saying this to please me
Non, non, non voglio udire
The angel sees, the angel knows
Please, signora, we beseech you
This hour shall see your darkest fears (I must see her) (Abbandonata!)
The angel sees, the angel hears
(Where did she go?) (Deseredata, o, sventurata, disgraziata)
Signora, sing for us, don't be a martyr
What new surprises lie in store?
Could you please give this to Miss Daaé?
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
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
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 you liken you to an angel
Think of their cry of undying support
Follow where the limelight leads you
Leading ladies are a trial
Prima donna, your song shall never die (When she sings we see heaven)
You'll sing again, and to unending ovation
Orders, warnings, lunatic
Lunatic demands are regular occurrences
Think how you'll shine in that final encore
(André & FIRMIN, CARLOTTA)
Surely there'll be further scenes worse than this (Sing, prima donna, once more)
I must see these demands are rejected
(André & FIRMIN, CARLOTTA, MEG & MADAME GIRY)
Who'd believe, a diva happy to relieve a chorus girl
Whose gone and slept with the patron? (O, fortunata)
Raoul and the soubrette entwined in love's duet
Although he may demur, he must have been with her (Non ancor abbandonata)
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