substantial overlapping of different voices)


ANDR?
M'sieur Firmin?

FIRMIN
M'sieur Andr??

FIRMIN
Dear Andr?,
what a splendid party!

ANDR?
The prologue
to a bright new year!

FIRMIN
Quite a night!
I'm impressed!

ANDR?
Well, one does
one's best...

ANDR?/FIRMIN
Here's to us!

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

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!

GIRY
What a night!

MEG
What a crowd!

ANDR?
Makes you glad!

FIRMIN
Makes you proud!
All the cr?me
de la cr?me!



*CARLOTTA
*Watching us watching them!
*
*MEG/GIRY
*And all our fears
*are in the past!
*
*ANDR?
*Six months...

PIANGI
Of relief!

CARLOTTA
Of delight!

ANDR?/FIRMIN
Of Elysian peace!

*MEG/GIRY
*And we can breathe at last!
*
*CARLOTTA
*No more notes!

PIANGI
No more ghosts!

GIRY
Here's a health!

ANDR?
Here's a toast:
to a prosperous year!

FIRMIN
To the new chandelier!

*PIANGI/CHARLOTTA
*And may its
*splendour never fade!
*
*FIRMIN
*Six months!
*
*GIRY
*What a joy!

MEG
What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDR?
What a blessed release!

ANDR?
And what a masquerade!

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...

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