CHORUS

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!

Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .

Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .

Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . .

RAOUL/CHRISTINE
But who can name the face . . .?

ALL
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .
Masquerade!
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!

Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!

GIRY
What a night

MEG
What a crowd!

ANDRE
Makes you glad!

FIRMIN
Makes you proud!
All the creme
de la creme!

CARLOTTA
Watching us watching them!

MEG/GlRY
And all our fears
are in the past!

ANDRE
Six months...

PIANGI
Of relief!

CARLOTTA
Of delight!

ANDRE/FIRMIN
Of Elysian peace!

MEG/GIRY
And we can breathe at last!

CARLOTTA
No more notes!

PIANGI
No more ghost!

GIRY
Here's a health!

ANDRE
To a prosperous year
FIRMAN
To our friends who are here

PIANGI/CARLOTTA
And may its
splendour never fade!

FIRMIN
Six months!

GIRY
What a joy!

MEG
What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDRE
What a blessed release!

ANDRE
And what a masquerade!

CHRISTINE
Think of it!
A secret engagement!
Look - your future bride!
Just think of it!

RAOUL
But why is it secret?
What have we to hide?

CHRISTINE
Please, let's not fight . . .

RAOUL
Christine, you're free!

CHRISTINE
Wait till the time is right . . .

RAOUL
When will that be?
It's an engagement,
not a crime!
Christine,
What are you
afraid of?

CHRISTINE
Let's not argue . . .

RAOUL
Let's not argue . . .

CHRISTINE
Please pretend . . .

RAOUL
I can only hope I'll . . .

CHRISTINE
You will . . .

BOTH
. . . understand
in time . . .

ALL
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!
Masquerade!
Look around -
There's another
mask behind you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!

PHANTOM
Why so silent, good messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good messieurs?
To think that I was gone, what a pity...

Fondest greetings, to you all
I have writen you an opera!
Here I bring the finished score:
Don Juan Triumphant!

A little note just before rehearsal starts:
Carlotta must be taught to act,
Not her usual trick of strutting around the stage,
Our Don Juan must loose weight,
It's not healthy for a man of Piangi's age!
And my managers must learn,
That their place is in an office,
Not the arts.

And as for our star,
Christine Daae,
No doubt she'll do her best,
It's true she's good
But if she wish to excel
Then let her pride return to me
Her teacher, her teacher.

Your chains are still mine!
You belong to me!