The Phantom Ascending |✔| [Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction]

The New Beginnings

A/N: With very special thanks to Juliette_Aurora, for creating this beautiful fanart/cover. <3

Christine

"Christine! I am so glad you have decided to stay in Venice," Giulia greeted me warmly the first time she saw me in January. She was absent for two weeks due to an injury, but has now returned to work at last.

"Tell me, what did I miss? And what is that noise?" she wrinkled her nose.

"Our new soprano practicing. The manager's cousin, or some such thing," I grimaced at her. "Don't worry, Manelli won't let her sing anything but minor roles, at least for now. Mrs. Fiore decided to retire after New Year's day, so we needed another soprano anyway."

"This place," Giulia shook her head, her light-brown hair bobbing around her shoulders.

"Will you come to my dressing room? We can have some peace there," I prompted.

When we settled there and she was out of her heavy coat, I told her how I decided to stay, and shared the news of the new, less ambitious production we were working on. She made me laugh with tales of her family holidays. Our comfortable reunion was then unfortunately interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

And there was Manelli, storming in, nervous as he often was for these past few weeks. I was certain it was due to a promising new opera he had failed to bring to La Fenice. He was accompanied by miss Lavizzi — the new soprano whose earlier vocal efforts Giulia and I had escaped.

"Miss Daae, the conductor sends over the new version of the score for your duet with signora Lavizzi. Would you mind practicing some more today?" he asked, though it was really an order.

I browsed through the papers and summoned my patience. This was the third change in pitch to accommodate Lavizzi's limitations.

The girl was my senior by only two years, but held herself with the confidence of a veteran. Still, she wasn't as rude as she might have been, given her connections, so I felt a little guilty for thinking badly of her.

"Of course. I will join you shortly."

"Good, good," Manelli said, not really listening, and left as abruptly as he entered. Miss Lavizzi tossed me an apologetic smile as she followed him.

"I will wait outside," she said as she was closing the door.

"What's on his mind?" Giulia commented as we rose.

"New Verdi, if rumors are to be trusted. He wanted to bring it here, but..."

"Oh, I've heard of it! Aida, is it not?"

"Yes. Its European premiere was in Milan, and Manelli is unhappy that Verdi took it elsewhere. La Scala made it into something magnificent, though. It's always La Scala..."

"Someday, you will sing there," Giulia hugged me encouragingly, and left to seek the ballet director.

For the next hour, miss Lavizzi and I practiced under the grumpy scrutiny of the conductor, and I had to keep my voice low to accommodate Lavizzi's abilities. Sometimes this felt more difficult than what I practiced at home, where Erik would guide me to sing higher and higher, training my vocal chords for something I had previously thought was beyond my abilities. That was thrilling; this was just dull.

At last, the two of us were free to go home, since we weren't among those who acted in a comedic little piece that was to be the evening's performance.