Beauty Of Music

Chapter 1

Paris, the city of Romance and where many Artists made their mark on the world. One of the most iconic buildings in this great city is the Opera Garnier, where music and dance is brought to life and people came from all around to see these beautiful renditions of living art. It was also the place where two sisters, Christine and Catherine Daae set out to fulfil their dreams. Christine's dream was to become a Violinist in the Opera Orchestra and Catherine's was to become a great singer. Their journey begins on an early Spring morning when they first arrived in Paris. They had travelled a long way from their home in Equisheim with what little possessions they owned in two fabric bundles and a violin case. Christine who was the oldest at 30 had honey blonde hair that was naturally wavy and reached down to the middle of her back so she always kept it tied up in a messy bun, her skin was a soft almond colour and had faint rosy cheeks and her eyes were a soft hazel colour. The clothes she wore was an old grey blouse, a long brown skirt that was slightly torn around the hem, she also wore an old brown knitted shawl around her shoulders and a pair of old brown boots. Catherine who was 23 also had honey blonde hair except hers was shoulder length with natural ringlets and she always kept it pinned , her skin was also almond colour, only her rosy cheeks were more pronounce, and her eyes were a mixture of blue and green. The clothes she wore was an old light blue dress, a light pink apron with a single pocket and a pair of old brown boots. After a few hours of walking through the streets and alleys the two sisters soon beheld the magnificent sight of the Opera Garnier. The building was an architectural marvel with its tall Roman style pillars along the front of the building and all along the roof were beautiful marble statues depicting men and women in a variety of poses. They walked around the building to commit every detail to memory and all the while they held each other's hand as a gesture of comfort and support and felt butterflies in their stomachs in excitement for what awaited them inside. But what the Daae sisters didn't know was that inside things were starting to change.

XXX

Gerard Carriere, who was man in his early sixties with grey hair and a moustache and wore a white shirt, silver tie, black jacket, and trousers, had managed the Opera House for 30 years and he was well respected by all who knew and worked for him. He had come to the Opera House that morning believing the day would be like any other, until he was approached by a gentleman in his early forties with dark hair and a moustache to match, a cream colour jacket and trousers, a white shirt and a light blue silk tie. He introduced himself as Monsieur Cholet and requested to speak to Monsieur Carriere where they stood, on the middle landing of the Grand Staircase in the main lobby. As the two men conversed a few employees had stopped to listen but couldn't make out what the conversation was about and judging by Monsieur Carriere's expression alone it didn't seem like good news.

"I am sorry that's just how it is. Apparently, you've done a wonderful job" said Monsieur Cholet which promptly ended their conversation.

He watched as Monsieur Carriere walked away with a doleful expression on his face. Whereas he was looking quite smug and was soon joined by a woman in her forties with pale skin, dark red lips, wearing a red dress with black lace trims and a black laced hat with a feather on top.

"Just gave him the news" Monsieur Cholet 'whispered' to the woman which sent her twirling with excitement and gave him a kiss on the lips. The two then walked further up the staircase and out of site.

Monsieur Carriere watched as the two disappeared through a doorway at the bottom of the stairs and was then approached by a female employee.

"Monsieur Carriere what's going on?" she asked.

"I've just been dismissed" said Monsieur Carriere in a sad tone.

Soon every employee in the lobby came up and hugged their dear friend and employer expressing how upset they were to see a good man go after so many years.

XXX

After walking around the building for some time the Daae sister's found a side entrance where all of the horse drawn carriages were parked and they saw a man in his mid-fifties wearing a red uniform and hat instructing a driver to go around to the front of the building.

"Pardon us Monsieur, um we're supposed to see a Monsieur Gerrard Carriere. I-I believe he is the manager here?" said Catherine in a nervous tone.

"The Count de Chaney sent us. He said that Monsieur Carriere could arrange for my sister to have singing lessons and to find a position in the Orchestra for myself" said Christine.

"Monsieur Carriere has just been dismissed" said the man in a croaky voice before walking away from the sisters.

The sisters were shocked and disheartened by the news and didn't know what they were going to do now after travelling so far from home. Meanwhile two young women were standing nearby smoking some cigarettes and had eavesdropped on the conversation.

"Where did he find them?" asked the first woman who was tall with dark brown hair in a bun and wore a dark pink blouse, a dark green shawl around her shoulders, a long white skirt, a white silk belt and black leather boots.

"Hm" shrugged the second woman who was short with dark red hair that was bound up in a green straw hat with a green ribbon. She wore a red blouse with white stripes, a light pink shawl around her shoulders, a long dark green skirt and black leather boots.

The two women were soon joined by two others and made their way towards the Daae sister.

"Monsieur the Count has two new girls this time" said the second women which sent her three companions into a giggle.

As the Daae sisters sat down on the stone steps the four-woman stood around them.

"Dears we're curious, where did the Count De Chaney find you?" asked the first women.

"Um at a Country fair" said Catherine with a friendly smile.

"He's branching out" chuckles the fourth woman who was middle height with dark brown hair, wearing a white blouse, a dark purple and light pink shawl, a long black skirt, and black boots.

"We believe he was on his way to his Chateau" said Christine in a soft voice.

"And thought you had nice legs?" asked the third woman who was short with light brown hair, wearing a white laced blouse, a green feathered shawl around her shoulders, a long dark brown skirt and brown leather boots.

"No, he heard me singing a folk song and my sister playing the Violin" said Catherine nervously.

"Oh, and thought you had a nice voice" asked the second women.

"Yes" said Catherine.

"And asked if you'd like lessons?" asked the first women.

"Are all of you his friends?" asked Christine.

The four ladies responded by giggling and each pulled out a small locket from under their blouses and opened them. And inside was the same picture of the Count de Chaney.

"Was that the first time you met the count?" asked the first women.

"No, I-I mean yes. Yes, it was the first time" replied Christine.

The four women looked at the sisters confusingly but brushed it off and made their way inside through the side entrance.