Prologue
Lloyd Webber/Rice Lyrics
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Your number, sir? Thank you
Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mâché musical box
In the shape of a barrel-organ
Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes, playing the cymbals
This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order
May I start at twenty francs? Fifteen, then?
Fifteen I am bid
Twenty, sir? Thank you
Twenty? Twenty-five? Thank you, madam
Thirty, selling at thirty, then
Thirty once, twice
Sold for thirty francs to the Vicomte de Chagny
Thank you, sir
A collector's piece indeed, every detail exactly as she said
She often spoke of you, my friend
Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead
Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?
Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces
Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera:
A mystery never fully explained
We are told, ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier
Which figures in the famous disaster
Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it
With wiring for the new electric light so that we may get a hint of
What it may look like when reassembled
Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago
With a little illumination, gentlemen?
The Prologue, from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "The Phantom of the Opera", sets up the backstory of the show and introduces the setting, characters, and themes of the story. The scene is set at an auction at the famous Paris Opera House, where a papier-mâché musical box in the shape of a barrel-organ is being auctioned off. This box contains a figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals, and it is said to have been discovered in the vaults of the theatre. The auctioneer starts the bidding at fifteen francs and the price goes up in increments until it is sold to the Vicomte de Chagny for thirty francs. The significance of this item is not immediately clear, but it will become clear as the story unfolds.
The attention then turns to Lot 666, a chandelier in pieces. The auctioneer notes that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster that occurred at the Opera House some years ago. He suggests that by repairing and wiring it for electric light, they may be able to frighten away the ghost of the Phantom of the Opera, whose identity and whereabouts are still unknown. This sets up the central conflict of the story, which is the struggle between the Phantom and the two main characters, Christine and Raoul.
Line by Line Meaning
Sold, your number, sir? Thank you
The auction is about to begin, please show your bidder number to participate.
Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen
An item up for auction that is a papier-mâché musical box in the shape of a barrel-organ.
Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals
The papier-mâché musical box has a monkey figure in Persian robes playing the cymbals.
This item discovered in the vaults of the theatre
The musical box was found in the theatre's vaults.
Still in working order, ladies and gentlemen
The musical box is still in working condition.
May I commence at fifteen francs? Fifteen, thank you
The starting bid is 15 Francs.
Yes, twenty from you, sir, thank you very much
Someone has placed a bid for 20 Francs.
Madam Chagny, twenty five? Thank you, madam
Another bidder has placed a bid for 25 Francs.
Twenty five, I am bid if I get thirty
The auctioneer is asking for a bid of 30 Francs.
Thirty, and thirty five
Someone has placed a bid for 30 Francs and another for 35 Francs.
Selling at thirty francs, then, thirty once, thirty twice?
The auctioneer repeats the current highest bid of 30 Francs and asks if anyone else wishes to bid.
Sold, for thirty francs to the Vicomte de Chagny, thank you, sir
The auctioneer announces that the item has been sold for 30 Francs to the Vicomte de Chagny.
A collector's piece indeed
The musical box is a valuable collector's item.
Every detail exactly as she said
The details of the musical box match the description given by someone.
Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?
Will the music of the box continue to be heard long after everyone currently present is gone?
Lot 666, then, a chandelier in pieces
The auctioneer announces the next item for auction, which is a chandelier in pieces.
Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera
The auctioneer brings up the famous story of the Phantom of the Opera to add excitement to the next item for auction.
A mystery never fully explained
The mystery surrounding the Phantom of the Opera is still unsolved.
We are told, ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier
The chandelier up for auction is rumored to be the same one involved in the mysterious Phantom of the Opera incident.
Which figures in the famous disaster
The chandelier was a key part of the dramatic disaster.
Our workshops have repaired it and wired parts of it for the new electric light
The chandelier has been repaired and updated with electric lighting.
Perhaps we can frighten away the ghost of so many years ago
The auctioneer jokes that perhaps the ghost of the Phantom of the Opera will be scared away by the updated chandelier.
With a little illumination, gentlemen?
With the addition of electric lights in the repaired chandelier, will we finally be able to dispel the mystery and illuminate the truth?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind