Luyện nghe bài hát Masquerade

Dear Andre what a party!

The to a bright new year!

a night! I'm impressed!

Well, one does one's . . .

(raising glasses) Here's to us!

I say, all the same, that it's a shame that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!

(The gauze lifts fully to reveal the staircase of the opera house. The ball begins. Among the

are four carrying strange instruments: a monkey with cymbals, a toy soldier with a drum, a triangle, bells. Together they play weirdly throughout)

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

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

Flash of . . .
Splash of . . .
and king . . .
Ghoul and . . .
Green and . . .
Queen and . . .
of rouge . . .
Face of . . .

. . .
Take your turn, take a ride on the . . .
in an race . . .

Eye of . . .
Thigh of . . .
True is . . .
Who is who . . .? of lip . . .
of gown . . .
Ace of . . .
Face of . . .

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

But who can name the . . .?

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

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

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

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

(The ENSEMBLE activity becomes background, as ANDRE, FIRMIN, MEG, GIRY, PIANGI and come to the fore, glasses in hand)

What a

a crowd!

you glad!

Makes you proud! All the de la creme!

Watching us them!

And all our are in the past!

Six months...

Of relief!

Of delight!

Of peace!

And we can at last!

No notes!

No ghost!

a health!

Here's a to a prosperous year!

To the new chandelier!

And may its never fade!

Six months!

a joy!

a change!

What a release!

And a masquerade!

(They clink and move off RAOUL and

emerge. She is admiring a new acquisition: an engagement ring from RAOUL, she has attached to a gold chain around her neck.)

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

But why is it What have we to hide?

Please, let's not . . .

Christine, free!

Wait till the time is . . .

When will that be? an engagement, not a crime!

Christine, are you afraid of?

Let's not . . .

Let's not . . .

Please . . .

I can hope I'll . . .

You . . .

. . . understand in . . .

(Dance section, in which CHRISTINE, almost coquettish almost jittery, goes from man to man. But too many of her partners seem to be replicas of the PHANTOM, and each spins her with increasing force. Eventually RAOUL rescues her and holds her tightly. He whirls her back the dance, as the music heads towards its climax.)

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will find you!

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

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

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

(At the height of the activity a grotesque figure suddenly appears at the lop of the staircase. Dressed all in crimson, with a head visible inside the hood of his robe, the PHANTOM has come to the party. With dreadful wooden steps he descends the stairs and takes the centre of the stage)