Masquerade (From "The Phantom of the Opera") - The Musical Starlight Ensemble, Andrew Lloyd Webber

FIRMIN

Monsiuer Andre!

ANDRE

Monsiuer Firmin!

(laughter)

GENTLEMAN#1

Dear Andre what a splendid party

GENTLEMAN#2

The prologue to a bright new year

GENTLEMAN#1

Quite a night, I’m impressed

ANDRE

Well, one does one’s best

Here’s to us!

The toast of all the city, what a pity that The Phantom can’t be 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,

'Til you’ve drowned

In the light,

In the sound…

But who can name the face?

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!

Andre, Firmin:

What a night!

What a crowd!

Makes you glad!

Makes you proud!

Carlotta:

All the crème de la crème!

Watching us, watching them!

And all our fears

are in the past!

Andre:

Three months…

Of relief!

Of delight!

Andre:

Of Elysian peace!

Giry:

And we can breathe at last!

Carlotta:

No more notes!

Piangi:

No more ghosts!

Giry:

Here’s a health!

Here’s a toast

Managers:

to a prosperous year!

To our friends who are here!

Carlotta/Piangi:

And may our splendour never fade!

All:

What a joy!

What a change!

What a blessed release!

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?

You promised me

CHRISTINE

No Raoul, please don’t,

They’ll see!

RAOUL

Well, then let them see.

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

BOTH

I’ll/You will …

…Understand in time…

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!

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!