Notre Dame de Paris (Musical)

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Musical dates
Title: Notre Dame de Paris
Original language: French
Music: Riccardo Cocciante
Lyrics: Luc Plamondon
Literary source: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame ( Victor Hugo )
Original direction: Gilles Maheu
Premiere: September 16, 1998
Place of premiere: Paris
Playing time: approx. 2.25 hours
Place and time of the action: Paris, in 1482
Roles / people
  • Esméralda
  • Quasimodo
  • Frollo
  • Gringoire
  • Phœbus de Châteaupers
  • Clopin
  • Fleur-de-Lys

Notre Dame de Paris is a French-Canadian musical . The world premiere was on September 16, 1998 in Paris. It is based on the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo . The music is by Riccardo Cocciante , the text by Luc Plamondon .

The musical has been performed in Canada , France , Belgium , Italy , Spain , China , South Korea , Taiwan and Switzerland . A shorter version in English was performed in Las Vegas in 2000; a full version ran in London for 17 months.

Famous songs of the musical are e.g. B. Belle and Le temps des Cathédrales , which have also been translated into other languages.

occupation

Cast for the premiere in Paris (1998)

This performance at the Palais des congrès de Paris is also available on DVD .

action

first act

The story takes place in Paris in 1482. The poet and minstrel Gringoire, who not only takes an active part in the action but also acts as a commentator, is the first to appear and tells how mankind has shaped its own history through the construction of cathedrals ( Le temps des Cathédrales ).

The homeless and fugitives, under their leader Clopin, flock to the entrance of Notre Dame Cathedral and beg for help and asylum ( Les Sans-Papiers ). Frollo, the cathedral's archdeacon, orders Phœbus, captain of the king's cavalry, to drive away the crowd. Among the refugees, Phœbus suddenly sees the beautiful gypsy Esméralda and is taken with her. Esméralda tells him (and the audience) about herself, her life as a gypsy, her past and her dreams ( Bohémienne ). Phœbus does not arrest her, but leaves her alone.

Clopin, who has been watching over Esméralda since she lost her parents when she was eight, tells her that she is no longer a child and that she has reached the age at which one experiences love. ( Esméralda, Tu Sais ). He advises her to be very careful because not every man can be trusted.

The next song introduces Fleur-de-Lys, a noble, beautiful, fourteen-year-old girl. She is engaged to Phœbus. Both tell of their passionate love and the sacrifices they would make for it ( Ces Diamants-Là ).

Then the wild and happy "fools festival" begins. The director and leader of this festival is Gringoire ( La Fête des Fous ). The highlight of the festival is the election of a "fool pope"; this must be the ugliest of the passers-by. The Pope is crowned by Esméralda. A monstrous figure now emerges from the shadows into the light: the hunchbacked, one-eyed and hobbling hunchback of Notre Dame - Quasimodo. He is immediately crowned Pope of Fools. Although he holds all powers for a day, he cannot impress Esméralda. She doesn't even notice him ( Le pape des Fous ).

Frollo interrupts the festivities and orders Quasimodo to kidnap Esméralda and bring her to him so that he can lock her up and expose her - as a stranger, gypsy, witch and troublemaker ( la sorcière ). Quasimodo obeys Frollo, who raised him when he was abandoned as a baby and taught him to read and write ( L'Enfant trouvé ).

Night falls and Gringoire tells of the dark and hidden secrets in Paris ( Les Portes de Paris ), while the outcasts and cripples now take to the streets. Esméralda, who is being pursued by Quasimodo, is also there. Just at the moment when Quasimodo is about to catch her, Phœbus and his troops arrive and arrest Quasimodo. Phœbus stays and introduces himself to Esméralda. He wants to bring her back from Paris - but she refuses. So he arranged to meet her in the Cabaret Val d'Amour; she quickly disappears into the darkness.

The gloomy mood is interrupted by the Mirakelhof, the refuge for all outcasts in Paris. Clopin is the leader of a wild festival and makes it clear that at the Mirakelhof neither race, religion, skin color nor criminal offenses play a role, but that all are equally important ( La Cour des Miracles ). Gringoire, who accidentally passes by, is arrested. Clopin tells him that the gallows await him - unless a woman agrees to marry him. Meanwhile, Esméralda also comes by and agrees to marry Gringoire - only on paper. Clopin unites both; after all, they take part in this wild festival.

Then, when Gringoire and Esméralda are alone, he introduces himself to her as the poet Gringoire, "the prince of the streets of Paris". He makes it clear that he does not want to be a "womanizer" (in the original "un homme à femmes"), but that he would be happy if he could make Esméralda his muse and inspiration. Since Gringoire can read and write, she asks him what the name "Phœbus" means. He replies that Phœbus comes from Latin and means "sun" or "sun god" ( Le mot Phœbus ). Knowing this, Esméralda sings her song about Phœbus, who is "as beautiful as the sun". Fleur-de-Lys joins them, who is also thinking and singing about Phœbus. Both women are convinced that Phœbus will love them forever ( Beau comme le soleil ).

Phœbus himself, who appears in the next scene, explains that he is torn between the two women. However, he sees himself as a "happy man" who wants both women: one as a wife, the other as a lover for a limited time ( déchiré ).

The next day Frollo called Gringoire and asked him about Esméralda. Finally he forbids Gringoire to touch her. Gringoire changes the subject and asks Frollo what the address "Anarkia" on one wall of the royal gallery means. He replies that "Anarkia" means "fate" or "doom". Both then see Quasimodo being pulled on a large wheel as punishment for attempting to kidnap Esméralda ( Anarkia ).

Quasimodo can take the punishment but begs for water. The request was ignored by everyone until the time Esméralda arrives and gives him a mug of water to drink. This benefit touches the poor bell-ringer. Finally he is released and Frollo, Phœbus and he sing about their different feelings for Esméralda ( Belle ): Quasimodo talks about his growing feelings of tenderness, Frollo about his growing fascination for her and Phœbus, who is jealously watched by Fleur-de-Lys about his desire to have an affair before marrying Fleur-de-Lys.

Finally, there are only Esméralda and Quasimodo left. He leads her into the cathedral and tells her how the cathedral represents his house and his shelter. Esméralda could also use the cathedral whenever she needed shelter ( Ma Maison, c'est Ta Maison ). Although Esméralda is disgusted with Quasimodo's appearance, she is touched by his courtesy and kindness.

Left alone, Esméralda now prays to the Blessed Virgin. Esméralda herself has never prayed and asks for forgiveness because of her ignorance ( Ave Maria Païen ). Frollo, who is secretly observing her, notices himself that his desire for Esméralda will destroy him and that despite his bond with God and the priesthood he cannot and will not resist Esméralda ( Tu vas me détruire ).

That night Phœbus is on his way to Cabaret Val d'Amour and meeting Esméralda when he suddenly notices that he is being followed by a shadowy figure. The figure (representing Frollo in disguise) warns him not to go any further ( L'Ombre ). Phœbus, on the other hand, ignores the warning and continues.

At Cabaret Val d'Amour, Gringoire (who seems to be a regular visitor) notes how everyone, no matter what race, religion or skin color, comes here to have fun of any kind, at a very low price ( Le Val d 'Amour ). Phœbus arrives (he too seems to be a regular visitor) and meets Esméralda in a private room ( La Volupté ). They embrace and are about to sleep together when Frollo charges and stabs Phœbus with Esméralda's knife (which was previously on the floor). Esméralda falls on Phœbus' body, Frollo is able to escape and Gringoire, Frollo, Quasimodo and the choir describe the terrible power of fate ( Fatalité ).

Second act

Frollo and Gringoire discuss the events and scientific discoveries in Florence and how some of those events and discoveries (like Gutenberg's printing press and Luther's teaching) will change the world forever ( Florence ). Gringoire notices that the cathedral is quite quiet. Frollo explains to him that Quasimodo hasn't rung a bell in three days because of his loveliness.

In the bell tower of the cathedral, Quasimodo tells that the bells are his only friends and favorites ( Les Cloches ), especially the three "Marys": he likes to ring the "Little Maria" at children's funerals, the "Big Maria" he rings when ships leave He sets sail and rings the bell for the "Great Maria" at weddings. His greatest hope is that the bells will ring for Esméralda so that she will hear that he loves her.

Frollo asks Gringoire what happened to Gringoires "woman" ( Où est-elle? ). Gringoire says he doesn't know and indirectly answers the question. He tells Clopin in secret that Esméralda is imprisoned in La Santé prison and that if Clopin does not save her, she will be hanged.

In her cell, Esméralda compares herself to a caged bird and calls out to Quasimodo for help. Quasimodo, on the other hand, has no idea and is amazed at Esméralda's disappearance three days earlier. He is afraid for their safety ( Les Oiseaux qu'on met en cage ).

Clopin and other refugees are arrested and also locked in the prison "La Santé" ( Condamnes ). Esméralda is questioned for the attempted murder of Phœbus and the witchcraft; Frollo is the acting judge ( Le procès / La torture ). After Esméralda refuses to admit the crime she did not commit, she is tortured with a vice until she exclaims "I confess". Frollo finally sentenced her to death on the gallows. Esméralda explains that her heart beats for Phœbus. Frollo says that he is suffering from his current situation of being a priest and at the same time loving a woman ( Etre prêtre et aimer une femme ).

Phœbus, on the other hand, who has recovered, learns from Fleur-de-Lys that she will only love him again if he promises that "the gypsy" will be executed ( La Monture ). Phœbus agrees to come back to her ( Je reviens vers toi ) and apologizes for his misstep as he was bewitched by Esméralda's sorcery.

At five in the morning, the time of the execution, Frollo visits Esméralda again and confesses to her that he injured Phœbus with the knife out of love for her ( Un matin tu dansais ). Frollo gives her the choice: either she decides to die on the gallows or she stays alive by sleeping with Frollo and then flees. Esméralda declines his offer. He tries to rape her, but Quasimodo (who has secretly followed him) had freed Clopin and the other inmates beforehand. Clopin attacks Frollo, knocks him out and frees Esméralda. So they escape from prison and arrive at the cathedral ( Libérés ).

Gringoire sings to the moon ( Lune ) and describes Quasimodo's suffering and pain because of his love for Esméralda.

Quasimodo lets Esméralda sleep in a safe place in Notre Dame ( Je te laisse un sifflet ), but realizes with resignation that he will love her forever; his abomination, on the other hand, means that she will never love him ( Dieu que le monde est injuste ). Left alone Esméralda sings about love and that she would be ready to die for her love ( Vivre ).

Clopin and his men have occupied Notre Dame. Frollo orders Phœbus and his men to attack and storm the cathedral in order to drive away the strangers ( L'Attaque de Notre Dame ). Clopin and his men formed a resistance, but did not succeed against the armed soldiers. Eventually, Clopin is fatally injured. When he dies, he asks Esméralda to take his place. The final fight is won by Phœbus' men; Esméralda is arrested. In cold blood, Esméralda Frollo is handed over to be executed. The strangers are expelled from Paris ( Déportés ), and Phœbus leaves the square with Fleur-de-Lys.

Quasimodo searches for Esméralda and meets Frollo, who is standing on top of one of the towers. Quasimodo asks him to help Esméralda ( Mon Maître, mon sauveur ). On the other hand, Frollo, who has gone mad, points out Esméralda, who is being hanged at the moment. The now angry Quasimodo calls "Frollo!", Grabs him and throws him down the stairs; Frollo dies. Quasimodo appears in the square and demands that the executioners hand over Esméralda's body to him. Finally he kneels next to her body and promises her that he will always stay with her. He dies of his lovesickness, but he explains that even in death neither of them will ever be divorced ( Danse, mon Esméralda ).

After the call, Gringoire sings Le temps des Cathédrales again ; the rest of the actors join in the song.

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