Overture
The Original London Cast Lyrics
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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 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Phantom of the Opera is a masterful composition that sets the tone for the entire musical. The lyrics of the Overture are spoken and sung by various characters, making it a unique overture. Carlotta starts with the lines, "This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours! From the enslaving force of Rome!" She speaks of Rome's enslaving force and how they've been saved from it. The girls' chorus then joins in, expressing joy and excitement with feasting, dancing, and song, to celebrate the victorious throng that returned to bring salvation.
The men's chorus picks up the pace, trumpeting the resounding victory of Carthage, and warning the Romans to tremble at their step. Finally, all voices come together, announcing the arrival of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, accompanied by the sound of the drums. The Overture sets the mood of the story that follows, with its powerful imagery of conflict and victory over a dominating force.
Overall, the lyrics of the Overture provide an insight into the themes of the Phantom of the Opera, with references to love, betrayal, jealousy, and the struggle for power. Through these lines, the audience is prepared for the unfolding of the story and the journey of the characters involved.
Line by Line Meaning
This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours! From the enslaving force of Rome!
We celebrate a victory over the Romans, who have tried to enslave us, and thank our saviours for this trophy.
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
We celebrate the return of our victorious soldiers with music, dancing, and feasting, happy to be saved from the clutches of the enemy.
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!
We sound our trumpets to celebrate our triumph and make the Romans tremble in fear, with heavy footsteps marking our arrival in power.
Hear the drums -- Hannibal comes!
The sound of the drums announces the arrival of Hannibal, our great leader.
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp,
It is unfortunate to return home and find that the Romans are still trying to take over our beloved land.
Signor . . . if you please: "Rome". We say "Rome' not "Roma"
Please use the correct pronunciation of "Rome" instead of "Roma".
Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me.
Yes, I understand it is difficult to pronounce 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 ...
Please follow me, gentlemen, for rehearsals of a new production of "Hannibal" by Chalumeau. You may have already met M. Andre and M. Firmin, our producers.
I'm sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?
I apologize, M. Lefevre, but we are currently rehearsing. Could you please wait a moment?
Thank you, monsieur. "Sad to return..." Signor ...
Thank you, sir. Signor, please continue with the next line of the script, "Sad to return..."
M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I'm afraid.
This is M. Reyer, our lead rehearsal director, who can be quite strict and intimidating.
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.
It is unfortunate to see our land threatened again by the Roman Empire, but tomorrow we will rise up against them. For now, rejoice in the safe return of our army.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, FREDERICK LOEWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind