overture
London Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours!
From the enslaving force of Rome!
GIRL'S CHORUS:
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, we greet
MEN'S CHORUS:
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark
to our step on the ground!
ALL:
Hear the drums -- Hannibal comes!
PIANGI:
Sad to return to find the land
we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp,
REYER:
Signor . . . if you please: "Rome".
We say "Rome' not "Roma"
PIANGI:
Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me.
LEFEVRE:
This way, gentlemen, this way.
Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of
Chalumeau's "Hannibal".
Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met M.
Andre and M. Firmin ...
REYER:
I'm sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing.
If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?
LEFEVRE:
My apologies, M. Reyer. Proceed, proceed ...
REYER:
Thank you, monsieur.
"Sad to return..." Signor ...
LEFEVRE:
M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I'm afraid.
PIANGI:
Sad to return to find the land we love
threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp.
Tomorrow, we shall break the chains of Rome.
Tonight, rejoice - your army has come home.
By Nehemoth
The Overture from the London Cast's production of Phantom of the Opera sets the stage for the grandeur and drama that will unfold throughout the musical. The opening lines are sung by Carlotta, who rejoices in a trophy that represents her country's victory over the enslaving force of Rome. The girl's chorus adds to the celebratory atmosphere by promising feasting, dancing, and singing in honor of the victorious army that has returned to save them all from Roman oppression. The men's chorus ramps up the excitement even further by declaring that the trumpets of Carthage resound, calling on the Romans to tremble at their power. The drums beat louder and louder, announcing the arrival of Hannibal and his army.
However, amidst all the revelry, Piangi, one of the main characters, expresses his sadness at returning to a nation that is once again threatened by Rome's far-reaching grasp. He struggles with the pronunciation of "Roma" versus "Rome," which makes for a small moment of humor. The interruption caused by the arrival of Lefevre, the theater manager, underscores the tensions and anxieties that lie beneath the surface of the performances. The chief repetiteur, Reyer, has a reputation for being a tyrant, which hints at the high stakes involved in the production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal."
Overall, the Overture of Phantom of the Opera is a masterful piece of music that sets the tone for the rest of the musical. It reveals the themes of triumph over oppression and the struggle between opposing forces, as well as the tensions that exist behind the scenes of any performance.
Line by Line Meaning
This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours! From the enslaving force of Rome!
Carlotta announces the arrival of a trophy signifying deliverance from Rome's tyranny.
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
The girl's chorus welcomes the army back home with revelry and joy for their victory and salvation they bring.
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!
The men's chorus warns and intimidates Rome with their triumphant music and march.
Hear the drums -- Hannibal comes!
The arrival of Hannibal is announced with the beat of the drums.
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp,
Piangi expresses disappointment upon returning home to find Rome still threatening their land.
Signor . . . if you please: "Rome". We say "Rome' not "Roma"
Reyer corrects Piangi's pronunciation and insists to use the word 'Rome' instead of 'Roma'.
This way, gentlemen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal". Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met M. Andre and M. Firmin ...
Lefevre guides the visitors to the ongoing rehearsals of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal' and introduces Andre and Firmin.
I'm sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?
Reyer politely requests Lefevre to wait since the rehearsals are still in progress.
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp. Tomorrow, we shall break the chains of Rome. Tonight, rejoice - your army has come home.
Piangi reiterates his disappointment in Rome but consoles with the idea of breaking its chains tomorrow and rejoices with the homecoming army tonight.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind