[Firmin]
Dear Andre, what a splendid party!
[Andre]
The prologue to a bright new year!
[Firmin]
Quite a night! I'm impressed!
Well, one does one's best . . .
[Andre/Firmin] (making a toast)
Here's to us!
[Firmin]
I must say, all the same, that
it's a shame that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!
(The guests are arriving to join the party.
Some of them bring some musical instruments -
a monkey music box, a triangle, a drum, etc.)
[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
Thigh of blue
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
(Andre, Firmin, Meg Giry, Piangi, and Carlotta come to the fore)
[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/Giry]
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]
Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!
[Firmin]
To the new chandelier!
[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 and Raoul join them.
Christine is proud of her engagement ring from
Raoul that is attached on her necklace)
[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
(It is dance time now. In her panicky situation,
Christine sees Phantom's face in every male she dances with.
Raoul at last catches her.)
[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!