Overture Lyrics

by Andrew Lloyd Webber

This trophy from our saviours,
From our saviours
From the enslaving force of Rome!

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricenter.com/e18825-andrew_lloyd_webber~overture_lyrics.html ]
With feasting and dancing and singing,
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 see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'.

M. Lefevre, I am rehearsing.

M. Reyer, Mme. Giry, ladies and gentlemen, please, if I can 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 to you
the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, M. Richard Firmin and M. Gilles Andre.

And we're deeply honored to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte de Chagny

My parents and I are honored to support all the arts
Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire

Gentlemen, Signora Carlitta Guidicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now.
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, M. Le Vicomte, once more, if you please, Signor

He love me
We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets, monsieur
I see why, especially the little blonde angel
My daughter, Meg Giry
And that exceptional beauty, no relation I trust
Christine Daae, promising talent, M. Firmin, very promising
Daae, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?
His only child, an orphan at seven when she came to live and train in the Ballet Dormitory.
An orphan, you said?

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

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

Ah Daae, all that they want is your dancing
Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala
He's excited by dancing girls as your new managers
Because I will not be singing
Bye bye, dancing girl, bye bye
What do we do?
Grovel, grovel, grovel
Principessa. Bella diva
Si si
Goddess of song
Mr. Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elisa in Act Three of 'Hannibal'?
M. Reyer?
If My diva commands?
Yes, I do