Overture (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)

This trophy

From our saviours

From our saviours

From the enslaving force of Rome

With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration

We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation

The trumpets of Carthage resound

Hear, Romans, now and tremble

Hark to our step on the ground

Hear the drums

Hannibal comes

Sad to return to find that the land we love

Threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp

No, no, no, no, signor, if you please, "Rome"

We say "Rome" not "Roma"

Rome, Rome is very hard for me

It's very, very hard, I am from Italy

Just get it right, please

Rome, Signor...

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 ha-ha-has come home

Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests

The elephants of Carthage

As guides on our conquering quests

Dido sends

Hannibal's friends

Once more to my welcoming arms

My love returns in splendour

Once more to the sweetest of charms

My heart and soul surrender

The trumpeting elephants sound

Hear Romans now and tremble

Hark to their step on the ground

Hear the drums

Hannibal comes

Hey! Hey! We're doing that all again

Thank you very much

You were very good

This song is very marvelous, thank you

This way, gentlemen, this way

Uh, girls

Rehearsals, as you see, are underway for a new production of Chalumeau's Hannibal

Ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen, please

Ladies and

Madame Giry

Thank you

May I have your attention, please?

As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors about my imminent retirement

I can now tell you, these were all true

And it is now my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire

Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Giles André

Oh, no, please, there's no need

Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli

Our leading soprano for nineteen seasons now

Of course, of course, I have experienced all your greatest roles, signora

And Signor Ubaldo Piangi

An honor, signor

If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of Hannibal

I wonder, signora, if, as a personal favour

You would oblige us with a private rendition?

Unless, of course, Monsieur Reyer objects

No, my manager commands, Monsieur Reyer

My diva commands

Would two bars be sufficient introduction?

Two bars will be quite sufficient

Signora