Notes? / Prima Donna

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 hint
 Damnable
 Will they all walk out?
 This is damnable
 André, please don't shout
 It's publicity
 And the take is vast
 Free publicity
 But we have no cast
 André, have you seen the queue?
 Oh, it seems you've got one too
 Dear André, what a charming gala
 Christine was in the world's sublime
 We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left
 On that note the diva is a disaster
 Must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime
 Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder
 My salary has not been paid
 Send it care of the ghost
 By return of post, PTO
 No one likes a debtor
 So it's better if my orders are obeyed
 Who would have the gall to send this?
 Someone with a puerile brain
 These are both signed "O. G."
 Who the hell is he?
 Opera Ghost!
 It's nothing short of shocking
 He's mucking our position
 In addition he wants money
 What a funny aberration to expect a large retainer
 Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane
 Where is she? (You mean Carlotta?)
 I mean Miss Daaé, where is she?
 Well, how should we know? (I want an answer)
 I take it that you sent me this note
 What's all this nonsense?
 Of course not (don't look at us)
 She's not with you, then?
 Of course not (we're in the dark)
 Monsieur, don't argue, isn't this the letter you wrote?
 And what is it that we're meant to have wrote?
 Written
 Do not fear for Miss Daaé
 The Angel of Music has her under his wing
 Make no attempt to see her again
 If you didn't write it, then who did?
 Where is he? (Oh, welcome back)
 Your precious patron
 Where is he? (What is it now?)
 I have your letter
 A letter which I rather resent
 And did you send it?
 Of course not (as if he would)
 You didn't send it?
 Of course not (what's going on?)
 You dare to tell me, that this is nos the letter you sent?
 And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?
 Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered
 Christine Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight
 Be prepared for a great misfortune
 Should you attempt to take her place
 
 Far too many notes for my taste
 And most of them about Christine
 All we've heard since we came is Miss Daaé's name
 Miss Daaé has returned
 I hope no words for as far as we're concerned
 Where precisely is she now?
 I thought it best that she was alone
 She needed rest
 May I see her?
 No, monsieur, she will see no one
 Will she sing? Will she sing?
 Here, I have a note
 Let me see it
 Please
 Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes
 Of the most amiable nature
 Detailing how my theatre is to be run
 You have not followed my instructions
 I shall give you one last chance
 Christine Daaé has returned to you
 And I am anxious her career should progress
 In the new production of "Il Muto"
 You will therefore cast Carlotta as the Pageboy
 And put Miss Daaé in the role of Countess
 The role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal
 The role of the Pageboy is silent which makes my casting, in a word, ideal
 I shall watch the performance from my normal set in Box Five
 Which will be kept empty for me
 Should these commands be ignored
 A disaster beyond your imagination will occur
 I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, O. G.
 Christine! (Whatever next?)
 It's all about a ploy to help Christine
 (This is insane) I know who sent this
 The Vicomte, her lover (Indeed?)
 (Can you believe this?)
 Signora! (O traditori)
 This is a joke, this changes nothing (o mentitori)
 Signora!
 You are our star and always will be
 Signora!
 The man is mad! We don't take orders
 Miss Daaé will be playing the Pageboy
 The silent role
 Carlotta will be playing the lead
 It's useless trying to appease me
 You're only saying this to please me
 Signor, è vero?
 Non, non, non voglio udire
 Lasciatemi morire
 O padre mio, Dio
 Who scorn his word, beware to those (you have reviled me!)
 The angel sees, the angel knows
 You have rebuked me (signora, pardon us?)
 You have replaced me (please, signora, we beseech you)
 This hour shall see your darkest fears
 The angel knows, the angel hears
 Signora, sing for us, don't be a martyr
 What new surprises lie in store?
 ♪
 Would you please give this to Miss Daaé?
 Miss Daaé!
 Your public needs you
 We need you too
 Wouldn't you rather have your precious little ingénue?
 Signora, no! The world wants you
 
 Prima Donna, first lady of the stage
 Your devotees are on their knees to implore you
 Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?
 Think of how they all adore you
 Prima Donna, enchant us once again
 Think of your must and of the queues 'round the theatre!
 Can you deny us the triumph in store?
 Sing, Prima Donna, once more (Christine spoke of an angel)
 Prima Donna, your song shall live again
 (Think of your public) you took a snub
 But there's a public who needs you
 Those who hear your voice liken you to an angel
 Think of the cry of undying support (we get our opera)
 Follow where the limelight leads you (she gets her limelight)
 Leading ladies are a trial
 Prima Donna, your song shall never die
 You'll sing again (orders, warning)
 (Lunatic demands are regular occurrences)
 Think how you'll shine in that final encore (surely there'll be further scenes)
 Sing, Prima Donna, once more (worse than this)
 (I must see these demands are rejected!)
 Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve
 A chorus girl whose gone and slept with the patron?
 Raoul and the soubrette entwined in love's duet
 Although he may demur he must have been with her
 You'd never get away with all this in a play
 But if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue
 It's just the sort of story, audiences adore
 In fact, a perfect opera (for if his curse is on this opera)
 Prima Donna, the world is at your feet
 A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!
 Light up the stage with that age-old rapport
 Sing, Prima Donna
 Once more!