Luyện nghe bài hát Masquerade

Dear Andre what a party!

The prologue to a new year!

a night! I'm impressed!

Well, one does best . . .

(raising glasses) Here's to us!

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

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

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

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

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

of mauve . . .
Splash of . . .
Fool and . . .
Ghoul and . . .
Green and . . .
and priest . . .
Trace of . . .
Face of . . .

. . .
Take your turn, a ride on the merry-go-round . . .
in an race . . .

Eye of . . .
of blue . . .
True is . . .
Who is who . . .? of lip . . .
Swirl of . . .
Ace of . . .
Face of . . .

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

But who can name the . . .?

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

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

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

Masquerade! satyrs, peering eyes . . .
Masquerade! Run and hide - but a face will 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 toast: to a year!

To the new chandelier!

And may its splendour fade!

Six months!

a joy!

a change!

What a release!

And a masquerade!

(They glasses and move off RAOUL and

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

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

But why is it secret? have we to hide?

Please, not fight . . .

Christine, free!

Wait till the is right . . .

When that be? It's an engagement, not a crime!

Christine, What are you of?

Let's not . . .

Let's not . . .

Please . . .

I can only hope . . .

You . . .

. . . understand in . . .

(Dance section, in which CHRISTINE, almost coquettish 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 into the dance, as the music heads towards its climax.)

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

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

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

Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning . . .
Masquerade! Take 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 death's head visible inside the hood of his robe, the PHANTOM has come to the party. With dreadful steps he descends the stairs and takes the centre of the stage)