Act III, Scene 2 — The Mad Ballerina

[Intro] [staccato harpsichord melody, rhythmic piano chords] [Mother - angry, commanding] You will rise higher, you will spin faster! The world has never seen a star like my daughter! Years I poured in your bones and your blood, Audition is days away — deliver the flood! [Daughter - young fragile voice, desperate] Mother please… my legs are screaming, my mind is gone, I dance in my sleep, I wake up at dawn… No friends, no life, no voice that is mine, Just mirrors and pain from morning till night… [Mother - yelling, harsh] Silence! Your pain is the price of the crown! I saved you from nothing, now give me renown! That masterpiece waits for your heavenly feet, Create something greater, something elite! [Daughter - youthful voice cracking] But how can I birth what has never been born? I’m only a girl who was never a child… My body is breaking, my spirit is torn, I don’t know how to give more! [Mother - furious and powerful] You will give more! You will give everything! Twist like a flame, dance like a god! Faster than lightning, more graceful than kings, Or regret every breath that you draw! [Daughter - young desperate voice breaking] I am not your machine! Not your gold mine! I bleed on the floor for your fortune and fame! Every pirouette cuts through my spine, I’m drowning in ballet… losing my name! [Both - overlapping intense clash] [Mother - strong mature voice] You owe me this life! You owe me the stage! [Daughter - young fragile voice] I owe you my childhood! I owe you my soul! [Both] The riches, the glory, the lights and the rage! [Daughter - young voice turning manic] I’ll dance till I shatter! I’ll dance till I die! A mad ballerina with fire in her eye! [Outro]