Giovanni Abbiati - Overture "Il Muto"/Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh (Act I, Scene 7)

Confidante
They say that this youth
has set my Lady's
heart aflame!

1st Fop
His Lordship, sure,
would die of shock!

2nd Fop
His Lordship is
a laughingstock!

Confidante
Should he suspect her,
God protect her!

All Three
Shame! Shame! Shame!

This faithless lady's
bound for Hades!
Shame! Shame! Shame!

Carlotta as Countess
Serafimo - your disguise is perfect.

(A knock at door)

Who can this be?

Don Attilio
Gentle wife, admit your loving
husband.

My love - I am called to England
on affairs of State, and must
leave you with your new maid.
(Aside)
Though I'd happily take
the maid with me.

Countess aside
The old fool's leaving!

Serafimo away with this pretense!
You cannot speak - but kiss
me in my husbands absense.

Poor fool, he makes me laugh!
Haha,
Haha! etc.
Time again I tried to get a better, better half!

Countess and Chorus
Poor fool, he doesn't know!
Hoho,
Hoho, etc.
If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!

Phantom's Voice
Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?

Meg
(backstage) He's here:
the Phantom of the Opera...

Christine
It's him!

Carlotta
Your part is silent, little toad!

Phantom's Voice
A toad, madame? Perhaphs it is you who are the toad...

Countess
Serafimo, away with this pretence!
You cannot speak, but kiss me in my
croak!

Countess
Poor fool, he makes me laugh -
Hahahahaha!
Croak, croak, croak, croak, etc.
(spoken)
Mother!