Beauty Of Music

Chapter 8

The curtain rose and the Opera began. The opening scene was a false stone staircase in the middle of the stage whilst on either side of the staircase there were false stone pillars standing upright. Some of the chorus men entered from the right side of the stage and walked over to the left and stood together at the bottom of the stairs whilst three others walked down the stairs followed by the women. The men were dressed in cream colour Greek styled robes, they wore Grey wigs and beards, and each held a different prop which was either a staff or a scroll. The women wore long dresses in different shades of Blue, white veils on their heads and each held a bunch of flowers in their arms. As the women began coming down the stairs everyone on stage began to sing.

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Meanwhile backstage, Carlotta now in her wig and dawned in various jewels including a crown, a necklace and around her shoulders she wore a Red velvet cloak with a golden pattern. The cloak was exceedingly long, so it had to be carried at the back by two costumers as Carlotta made her way towards some stairs leading up. Catherine had walked up ahead of her carrying a prop that was in the shape of a Crescent Moon that was Gold in colour. A male costumer walked around in front of Carlotta to help put on some last minute accessories before she had to go on stage but he was taking so long putting on her earrings Carlotta snatched the one he still had to put on her and put it on herself before walking up the steps and waited at the top for her que.

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The singing had stopped but the Orchestra was still playing and all of the actors on stage stood at the side of the steps looking up at the top.

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After making the sign of the cross as a silent prayer for luck, Catherine handed the prop to Carlotta and then she took a deep, calming breath before stepping out on stage. She entered the stage at the top of the false staircase and stood as regal as a Queen and then began to sing. She seemed to be doing well at first until she began to feel an itching sensation under her wig which was causing her to fidget but she maintained her focus and carried on singing. The itching was gradually becoming unbearable, so Carlotta tried to discreetly scratch the back of her neck using the prop she was holding before holding it back in place. Her behaviour didn't go unnoticed by the audience and some began to chuckle. Carlotta tried to stay in character, but the itching became so unbearable that she threw her prop to the floor and began rubbing her head against a staff one of the men was holding which made the audience burst with laughter. Carlotta didn't care because she was too occupied trying to take the wig off and when she finally did the audience was in hysterics and Carlotta fell to the floor holding her head in shame. The other actors on stage tried to carry on with the performance but the damage was done. Monsieur Cholet ordered for the curtains to close then apologised to the audience and asked them politely to leave.

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Later that night in Monsieur Cholet's office, Carlotta was sitting on a sofa drying her hair whilst her husband was attempting to call Inspector Ledoux on the phone when his assistant came into the room.

"We have found Madame's wig maker" he said to Monsieur Cholet who was still winding the handle on the phone.

"I want him killed. And fed to the vermin that were in that wig" sneered Carlotta as she stood up and made her way towards her dressing table.

"It was not his fault" the assistant said in a defensive tone.

"HA-HA-HA Not his fault!?" laughed Carlotta assuming he was joking.

"Someone locked him in the prop room" said the assistant.

"Where is Inspector Ledoux!? Go and find him!" exclaimed Cholet out of frustration since the phone didn't seem to be working.

The assistant left the room and as soon as he closed the door behind him Cholet and Carlotta heard Erik's voice through the walls

"Can't say I didn't warn you" he said in a teasing manner.

"Who is that!?" asked Cholet as he sat very still at his desk with the phone at his ear.

"Who do you think? The sooner you both leave, the sooner your ordeal will be over. Forgive me if I don't stay to chat but I have other matters to attend to now" said Erik and just as quick as his presents was felt he was gone.

"What was that?" said Carlotta in a dumbfounded tone, she then bit her lip nervously.

Cholet said nothing for he was too shocked to speak.

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The Daae sisters were now back in their basement room. Christine was tuning her Violin so she could practice for a bit while Catherine was lighting some candles on a Candelabra.

A secret passageway opened in a nearby wall which allowed Erik to enter without them noticing at first.

"Catherine" he called softly.

Catherine and Christine jumped with surprise but when they turned and saw it was Erik, they breathed a sigh of relief.

"Maestro" Catherine greeted him.

"Are you ready for our next lesson?" Erik asked as he walked towards her and picked up the Candelabra.

"Yes" Catherine said in an eager tone and then she went to pick up her shawl from her bed.

"I'll see you later Cathy" said Christine in farewell.

"See you later Chrissie, try not to practice too hard or you'll have no fingers to play the Violin with" chuckled Catherine as she went to join Erik.

"Maestro did you see what happen to Carlotta?" she asked as she followed behind Erik.

"No what?" he asked.

"Her debut was a disaster" chuckled Catherine as she placed her shawl around her shoulders.

"Oh, that's too bad" said Erik with hidden false sympathy.

The two disappeared through the hidden passageway and made their way towards the music room where they practiced.

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Back in the Cholet's office, Inspector Ledoux had been found and had joined them and they informed them of their frightening experience not too long ago.

"You heard him?" Inspector Ledoux asked them.

"Yes, through the walls!" exclaimed Carlotta in a panicked tone.

Cholet 'shh' her to calm her.

"And he said, 'I am the Phantom'?" Inspector Ledoux asked jokingly.

"No, no, not in so many words!" exclaimed Cholet in frustration as he approached Ledoux who was standing in the threshold that led to another part of the room.

The two gentlemen walked further into the office, out of Carlotta's earshot.

"Monsieur, you are upset, and I do not blame you. These are not good reviews, however let me say as someone who does not know much about Opera" said Inspector Ledoux as he showed Cholet some newspaper clippings.

Before he spoke again, he glanced behind the two to make sure Carlotta couldn't hear.

"I never knew it could be so funny" he mumbled and tried to hold back laughter.

Cholet looked at him with an expression that showed he was not amused which made the Inspector clear his throat to calm his laughter.

"I tell you the Phantom is behind all of this. And it is because he wants to drive us mad!" exclaimed Cholet as he went to join his wife , holding his head as he felt a headache coming on. Whilst the Inspector quietly left the room and left the Opera House.