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!

ANDRE
Makes you glad!

FIRMIN
Makes you proud!
All the creme
de la creme!

CARLOTTA
Watching us watching them!

MEG/GlRY
And all our fears
are in the past!

ANDRE
Six months

PIANGI
Of relief!

CARLOTTA
Of delight!

ANDRE/FIRMIN
Of Elysian peace!

MEG/GIRY
And we can breathe at last!

CARLOTTA
No more notes!

PIANGI
No more ghost!

GIRY
Here's a health!

ANDRE
Here's a toast:
to a prosperous year!
FIRMIN
To the new chandelier!

PIANGI/CARLOTTA
And may its
splendour never fade!

FIRMIN
Six months!

GIRY
What a joy!

MEG
What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDRE
What a blessed release!

ANDRE
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!