Overture

This trophy from our saviours, from our saviours!
From the enslaving force of Rome!
GIRL’S CHORUS:
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, we greet
the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
MEN’S CHORUS:
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark
to our step on the ground!
ALL:
Hear the drums -- Hannibal comes!
PIANGI:
Sad to return to find the land
we love threatened once more by Roma’s far-reaching grasp,
REYER:
Signor. .. if you please: «Rome».
We say «Rome' not «Roma»
PIANGI:
Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me.
LEFEVRE:
This way, gentlemen, this way.
Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of
Chalumeau’s «Hannibal».
Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met M.
Andre and M. Firmin …
REYER:
I’m sorry, M. Lefevre, we are rehearsing.
If you wouldn’t mind waiting a moment?
LEFEVRE:
My apologies, M. Reyer. Proceed, proceed …
REYER:
Thank you, monsieur.
«Sad to return…"Signor …
LEFEVRE:
M. Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I’m afraid.
PIANGI:
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 has come home.
By Nehemoth