Original subtitles

Miss Maurier? Mr Dallayrac is expecting you.

This trunk at the foot of the stairs.

This one, in the room on the right.

Welcome, Sophie! Not too tired?

It's been a long trip... - I'm all right.

I don't know how to thank you...

Joachim always puts people off balance!

A week ago, I didn't know what he wanted.

I'm getting used to it.

And you came...along with the furniture.

Charles, take the young lady's luggage to her room.

We have three lawsuits on our hands for breach of contract.

Joachim is being summoned? - He doesn't care.

You've read the headlines?

Dallayrac establishes a school for one pupil.

He loves your voice. He'll end up by loving you.

He'll never say so. And quite soon, you'll love him too.

You already admire him. He surprises you. He puzzles you.

Admiration, curiosity, surprise... that amounts to love.

I know... from experience. - Why do you tell me this?

Because I'm 40 and you're 18.

I have the privilege of age; you have its advantage.

There's your room... Excuse me, I have work to do.

Here I am, Estelle.

Aren't you feeling well?

I feel like a sailor abandoning ship

and realizing he sees neither land nor his ship.

Most unpleasant!

Especially since I asked you to jump with me!

You also asked her!

I told her you'll end up loving her.

Let's put some order in all this... - Love?

The scores...

Dear uncle Francois...

You know how eager I was to see Joachim, to speak to him...

Well, dear uncle, let me tell you I haven't seen my teacher...

I admit I'm a little lost.

I feel as if I no longer control my life

since that day, on the boat that took us back from London

when you introduced Joachim to me.

But drama demands this move!

It would be a drama if I sneezed during the aria!

Your movements don't interest me. I sing where there are no draughts!

Sorry, Estelle, you must have heard this ten times already!

My niece heard you sing in London. She told me...

Yes?

No, I didn't say anything. Nothing important.

You thought it was my swan song? Is that it?

It sounded like a cry of agony.

And you felt it.

You're gifted.

My uncle told me that...

...that I was the only one who could teach you to sing... Right?

The Master gives her more and more dffcult aria's.

She's managed a little better today.

I have to leave tomorrow.

Lhomond wants to see me. - What does he want?

It seems he refuses to be the manager of a ghost!

There was a lot of malicious gossip. - Let them talk!

You're putting me in an impossible situation!

The critics... your public, eveyone regrets your departure. And why this?

What a sacrifice for a singing school with one pupil!

Some think you're restraining her.

That's right! I'm restraining her with scales! You can quote me!

At least, give me a plausible answer for your retirement.

You're about to miss your train. Goodbye, my friend.

Stop him! Stop the thief!

Sophie?... Once more.

You're dreaming. There's no progress!

What about it?

Why doesn't Joachim love me?

What do you expect from him? Joachim belongs only to himself.

And that's quite a job already! - And why don't you love me?

Enough! You're here to learn to sing!

What do I have to do to make you love me?

What's going on?

Come in! It's not foribben...

My guest. - What do you mean?

I even have the intention of keeping him.

He sings as well as he steals!

I steal when I'm hungy.

Joachim, you're out of your mind! - I have a singing school, don't I?

You, stay right where you are!

My name is Jean.

You seriously consider keeping him here?

You blamed me for having only one pupil. One too lovely.

You ought to be glad. Here's another one. And perfectly horrible!

Who'll soon leave with the silverware!

I'm answering Francois.

What did his letter say? You didn't tell me.

I was about to. He sent us newspaper cuttings.

Questions about your retirement. Do you want to read them?

Certainly not. I can well imagine.

Some mention your health. - Any excuse for my desertion!

Francois thinks you ought to publish a denial.

Like some politician caught red-handed?

He wants to record your voice.

So he believes the rumours? In that case, why a denial?

Francois has recorded dozens of voices. Nobody has died yet.

Dear Francois...

Tell him no. Tell him gently.

He inquires about Sophie...

You answer him.

I was never able to account for my life. Let alone the lives of others!

Come, I want to hear you sing.

Right away? -This is the perfect moment!

The night is a ruthless orchestra!

You must be insane! - Do as I say!

We'll wake eveyone! - They're used to it!

But I'm sleepy! - I don't give a damn if you're sleepy!

Higher!

The acute more sustained!

Higher!

Higher! - But I can't!

Yes, you can!

Higher!

You see? I can't! - You can't or you won't! Go on.

That's enough! - May I go to bed now?

You have the voice. All you lack is the staying power!

You may go.

Get a move on!

The boy has nothing in his arms!

He'll end up by breaking his new toy!

Faster!

You're losing ground!

That's much better! You're strong.

Soon you'll acquire the stamina you lack. - Unless I die!

If you quit, you'll at least be healthy!

If you stay, you'll be the best tenor in the world!

You said 'baritone'! - You'll be a tenor!

Take a deep breath!

Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen...

...seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.

You'll be a tenor!

You must concentrate to the point that you no longer see me pass!

Nothing exists but your voice and the song!

Once more.

That's better.

The music is invading you...

Let it penetrate you...

Go on.

Nothing... nothing must stop you!

Do you understand? Absolutely nothing!

You must be totally concentrated!

Relax your shoulders!

Relax your chest!

Sing. Go ahead, sing!

Open your eyes.

One also sings with one's eyes! Especially you!

Don't deny yourself that. And don't deny others that!

I know you're watching me. So tell me what you have to say.

Has he a beautiful voice?

Yes. It's even quite remarkable!

He's about the same age as Sophie, more or less.

Precisely. - I warned you.

That I'd fall in love with Sophie?

That's right. That's what happened.

But that's no longer important.

Go on. One, two...

No, the first time, it is aus gr�nem und weissem.

There's a measure for nothing! You haven't learned a thing!

You still make stupid mistakes! It's a shame!

No, two minims... Ja-de.

Let's take it from there.

No, I can't make it! I'm fed up with it!

Jean, come back here.

You know why I stay here? To be able to despise people like him!

But to be able to despise people, you need money! Celebrity...

A reputation...

And talent?

Talent... I'll have that!

It'll take time, but I'll have it!

Such a perseverance!

Maybe I'm also staying for you. - Liar!

Let's do it again.

What do you think?

Not first-rate!

In five years, maybe... - Five years! Me too?

Or more. - But do you realize...?

He messed it up again!

Let's get out of here. He irritates me.

What's the matter?

I like it when you laugh.

That's unusual?

More so than you think.

At times...

No. - Speak up.

At times, it's as if you're playing a part: the tyrannical teacher!

You're too good an actor. - Too good?

As if you were hiding behind a mask. Why?

Why always hide?

Because of you. And because of Jean.

I want you to revolt.

That's when you are at your best.

You must be proud.

On the stage, one is all alone.

I know I feel all alone.

You must learn to love your loneliness as I did.

Is that you speaking, or the teacher?

Guess!

You're so lovely!

As a child, when Mozart was asked to play the harpsichord, he always said:

Say you love me!

Tell me you love me.

No, Sophie...

You'll be leaving soon, or I'll leave.

Soon... it's either too much, or too little.

I'll never leave.

Then I will leave.

But since I want it...

You still have a lot to learn.

And me? You don't care about me?

You only think of what I have to sing.

But one can't sing when ones' not happy, and I'm not happy!

No, I'm not.

Sophie wasn't with you? - No, she preferred to walk back.

In this weather?

You quarrelled? - Not at all.

What did you tell her? - Nothing. She'll come back all right.

Are you... - Let's have dinner.

No, we're not waiting for her.

Why are you crying? - I don't know.

I do.

Indeed, he has a voice!

He's a brute!

Who is? Jean or Joachim?

My dear Francois. I iust received your letter from Amsterdam.

These written conversation with you are my comfort.

The mildness of springtime seems cruel to me,

as if it weren't meant for me.

Joachim is completely absorbed in his work.

As if he wanted Jean and Sophie to be the heralds of his art.

I admit your idea perturbed me, but why not?

It will hurt Joachim, but we know it's inevitable.

My friend, I'm expecting you with the utmost impatience,

and, as you know, I'll welcome you with joy.

Louise, don't you recognize me? - Mister Francois!

Madame, sir...

Francois, you'll find him changed.

Shall we tell him about Scotti? - No, let's wait until tonight.

Well, old fellow, surprised to see me?

Glad to see you back, Francois.

I didn't write. I was afraid you wouldn't let me in!

What about Sophie? - Brilliant!

Perfect? - Not yet perfect, but very soon!

Uncle Francois!

Happy Birthday, Joachim!

Five, ten, twenty...

...thirty, thirty-six...

...forty-three and a dash more!

This, Joachim, is my present.

Listen.

It's distorted, but you'll recognize your own voice.

Want to hear it?

Not really. You see...

I'd feel as if I were my own echo.

No, thanks.

Would you like to keep Jean's voice?

Or Sophie's?

Yes.

Then admit that some people would like to keep yours

and the piano which accompanies it sometimes.

You'll see, Joachim,

the testimony of voice will soon replace that of writing.

Yes, there's one other thing that concerns all of us.

This is for you.

Prince Scotti is honoured to invite you to the song contest

which he is organizing at the Ch�teau on May 1st and 2nd.

We sincerely hope you will participate and that your teacher will be present.

Scotti? Who's he?

We know what you think of him. Nevertheless, it's an opportunity

that neither Jean or Sophie should miss.

Eveyone in the music world will be there.

It may be the start of a career.

Will you refuse this invitation? - They're the ones who are invited.

Who is this Scotti? - A vey wealthy patron of the arts.

Also a great music lover

who finds his pleasure in making and unmaking reputations.

You knew about this?

His song contests are renowned. Many a career started there.

You knew about this.

But he's Joachim's particular enemy! - Enemy?

He sang twenty years ago. - And he no longer sings?

He broke his voice trying to surpass Joachim in a memorable duel.

I thought you weren't coming.

Why did you accept?

He has that much influence? - I fear so.

Yet he wasn't able to destroy your career.

Because you were the best.

No, because he thought he was the best.

How does it feel seeing him after all this time?

I probably won't see him.

We were expecting you, Mr Dallayrac. - Don't bother. I'm not staying.

Charles, we're leaving.

But you can't...

Now, you're in for it and you can't back out.

This is the list of the guests we're still expecting.

The Prince is absent. He has reserved the best rooms for you.

The gentleman's room.

The Prince is sorry he could not welcome you.

You already told me that.

Some fruit, perhaps? - No, thank you.

Please turn out the light.

When did he arrive? - Hardly half an hour ago.

My absence must have annoyed him. - Hardly.

He left directly after bringing his pupils.

Joachim surely talked about me. I'm the Prince...

Prince Scotti.

Pardon me if I am embarrassing you. It's not my intention.

I have the greatest respect for youth and talent.

And a pupil of Mr Dallayrac, unhoped for an art lover as devoted as I...

Devoted and ruthless!

Pity he couldn't stay longer.

We'd have had so many things to talk about.

But we'll have plenty oftime to talk tomorrow.

I talk and talk... when, in fact, I invited you here to listen to you.

I haven't even heard the sound of your voice.

No harm done! - Pardon?

I said: No harm done!

No harm done!

Nothing's ready! The violins are too high and the piano too low.

Say something! - Say what?

Anything. For instance...

Say: No harm done!

No harm done.

Once more. - No harm done.

What's going on? Explain this!

Go on singing.

Remember: I want you to be worthy of my reputation.

Be absolutely perfect!

I can't sleep.

It's this place that... - It's the storm...

It's beautiful here, isn't it?

Have you seen the prince?

Charming. A little odd, but quite different from what Joachim told us.

I hate storms. I find this place eery.

Do you?

I think this place will suit me.

Over there, I felt as if I was just passing through.

I'm frightened.

Do you miss him already?

I too am frightened.

Kiss me.

Take me.

You drove all night long? - We stopped on the way.

And you left them alone? - Yes. You were right. They're ready!

Charles, the luggage!

You're going to rest, Joachim. We are going to rest.

You're dreaming again! A penny for your thoughts!

Do you really think he has the same voice as I?

Yes, exactly the same.

Surprising, isn't it?

Absurd! Two identical voices don't exist!

Anyway, you are the best!

Is this why I spent two years preparing for this contest?

I know how to handle this young man.

As soon as he enters the hall you'll start singing.

Mr Dallayrac's pupils have come to rehearse.

But, sir, Arcas intended to rehearse right now!

He'll have to wait. I promised. - That's unfortunate.

Arcas has almost finished. - Let him finish then.

Do you mind? - Not at all.

Who is this Arcas?

He's been the Prince's pupil for 3 years.

Want to listen to him?

Has he sang already in public?

Quite often. The audience is vey important.

Capturing the attention of an audience...

Did you often sing in public? - Never.

Dallayrac! I'm not surprised!

Well, everyone has his methods!

But... that's your voice!

No one is unique.

No one.

You should reason with him.

Either you control your emotions or you become vulnerable.

I chose you to open the contest.

We would be very disappointed if we couldn't hear you.

You were perfect. He has met his master.

I almost feel sorry for him. It's hard to be beaten.

And I know all about it!

To my mind, we won't see him again.

It was a trap. Let's go! - No.

This proves he's afraid that I might be better than his prot�g�.

I want to leave. It's a trap.

They'll make mincemeat out of us. - We're not leaving!

You're going to sing. - What about you?

I'll wipe the floor with that Arcas!

What's the use? They're too strong! - I have my plan.

You must sing.

I need you. You must sing.

I wish I could sing like her.

A little more there. One also sings with one's eyes.

You mustn't deny the audience that!

He told me that one day. - He told me that often.

These contests bore me. Always the same faces!

Worse: always the same voices!

I feel as if I've been writing the same article for the last ten years.

I didn't think she'd appear.

It's risky opening a contest! - Especially your contest!

You knew how to handle this boy and he trapped us!

This must bring back strange memories to the Prince.

What do you mean? - It's an old story.

Dallayrac's pupils had to be at their best.

That young man is already the talk of the town!

And you're doing nothing! - We can still turn the tables.

It depends only on you.

You'll all have noticed the strange similarity

between the voices of Mr Dallayrac's pupil

and our prot�g�, Arcas.

Yet, two voices are never exactly the same,

especially when singing.

Who's the best, by the way? - You must confront these voices!

A duel? A tempting idea.

If they were masked, we could judge them fairly.

Masks?

Then masks it shall be!

As for me, I accept.

Have contracts prepared for tonight.

With your talent, you have nothing to fear. You were wonderful!

But your hand is cold as ice. Come and sit down.

As for the audience, today they love you, tomorrow they'll kill you.

The audience is the most ungrateful mistress.

She's ignored me for twenty years, and yet, I can't leave her!

I'm prepared to offer you the greatest career.

I have the power to do so.

But on one condition:

I want to know how Joachim taught you to sing.

Why is it that all he touches is incomparable?

I want to know why music submits to him.

I want to know his secret and I know that you hold it.

Think it over. We have plenty of time.

We'll do great things...

...together.