FIRMIN: "Mystery after gala night," It says, "Mystery of soprano's 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!
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: But Andre, have you seen the queue? Oh, it seems you've got one too...
ANDRE: “Dear Andre, 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 see she's past her prime"
FIRMIN: “Dear Firmin, just a quick 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!”
BOTH: Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain!
FIRMIN: These are both signed"O.G."
ANDRE: Who the hell is he?
BOTH: "Opera ghost!"
FIRMIN: It's nothing sort of shocking!
ANDRE: He is mocking our position!
FIRMIN: In addition he wants money!
ANDRE: What a funny apparition
BOTH: ... to expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane!
RAOUL: Where is she?
ANDRE: You mean Carlotta?
RAOUL: I mean, Miss Daaй, 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? Written!
ANDRE: "Do not fear for Miss Daaй. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again."
RAOUL: If you didn't write it, who did?
CARLOTTA: Where is he?
ANDRE: Ah, welcome back!
CARLOTTA: Your precious patron
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: Where is he?
RAOUL: What is it now?
CARLOTTA: I have your letter, a letter which I rather resent!
FIRMIN: And did you send it?
RAOUL: Of course not!
ANDRE: As if he would!
CARLOTTA/PIANGI: You didn't send it?
RAOUL: Of course not!
FIRMIN: What's going on?
CARLOTTA: 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? "Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Christine Daaй will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take her place."
ANDRE/FIRMIN: Far too many notes for my taste and most of them about Christine! All we've heard since we came, is Miss Daaй's name...
GIRY: Miss Daaй has returned.
FIRMIN: I hope no worse for wear as far as we're concerned.