It's 1893, and the Opera Populaire has reached its peak in attendance. All of the city marvels at its grandeur...but cringes upon hearing the Prima Donna, Carlotta, sing.

The owners know they need a new main lead to keep their sales, and a certain phantom living under the opera house is curious to see just who they pick.

"She must be perfect," the phantom utters to himself as he listens from the cracks in the walls. "Not...this trash."