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Notre-Dame de Paris On Tour
Since its 1998 debut in Paris, composer Riccardo Cocciante and lyricist Luc Plamondon's Notre-Dame de Paris — based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel — has been less a musical than an international sensation. Its 4,300 performances in 20 countries have attracted more than 11 million theatergoers swept up in the tragic story of the misshapen bell ringer Quasimodo's unrequited love for the beautiful and free-spirited gypsy, Esmeralda.
Looking for a subject for his next work, French-Canadian songwriter Luc Plamondon, who has written for Céline Dion and many other Québécois stars, stumbled across Quasimodo in an encyclopedia of literary characters. Inspiration struck the creator of the 1976 rock musical Starmania, and he began discussions with Cocciante, a successful Italian singer-songwriter with dozens of albums to his credit. French-Canadian director Gilles Maheu was brought in to direct.
The release of the single "Belle" prior to the show's premiere primed Paris audiences for the musical's innovative sung-through structure consisting of 52 songs interrupted by neither narration nor dialogue. Notre-Dame went on to enjoy the most successful first year of any musical ever, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Songs from the show, including "Vivre," "Belle," and "Le temps des cathédrales," have been released as successful singles, and the show's original cast album — performed by original leads Daniel Lavoie, Hélène Ségara, Garou, Bruno Pelletier, Luck Mervil, Patrick Fiori, and Julie Zenatti — sold more than eight million copies. The first London production ran for 17 months.
Notre-Dame has been translated from its original French into English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Flemish, Polish, and Chinese. The musical is a spectacle in any language, with two dozen singers, acrobats, and dancers supporting the leads. Church bells offer a gymnastic show of strength, while a 12-meter-high wall provides the backdrop for energetic parkour moves.
The mix of time periods represented in the show's costumes and props tell a timeless story. Past and present merge as though to suggest that the 19th-century backdrop to Victor Hugo's story is still relevant today, as are the novel's themes of asylum seekers, religious hypocrisy, discrimination, and love.
This performance was absolutely phenomenal. Not only was the musical prowess of the cast outstanding, the accompanying acrobatic performance was equally awe-inspiring! What topped this all for me was the palpable excitement and adoration the audience had for Pelletier and Lavoie as they reprised their roles in this spectacular show. A must see.
I would go back anytime to see it again hopefully it will come to Toronto .Marie flans lafleche
Loved the staging of this show and the cast were amazing. The sound however, was awful! Not sure what happened as we have been to the NAC many times over the years and have not had this issue previously with any show or concert.
Loved the staging of this show and the cast were amazing The sound however, was awful! Not sure what happened as we have never had this issue with any other show at the NAC and we have been many times over the years being subscription holders.
Love it! Love it! A lot! The actors's performance was amazing. Thank you!
Frustrating and disappointing evening! We had seats in the Balcony, row B but were treated to a cavernous and distorted sound for more than two hours. Many people complained during the break but nothing changed! What could have been a wonderful concert turned out to be a total disappointment!
Very bas sound could not ear was there were singning. It was same comments from people seated near us Everything else was ok Jds
Wow! Amazing! Top notch! From the acrobats to the singers….very technical, entertaining and professional! Loved every bot pf it!
For the price I Pay I was surprise i cant see properly the stage. We are more on the side but still not a reason. We miss a lot of important part of the show. Like when Esmelra sing in the cage and in the hole on the wall.. we cant see her. The third big bell we can see it ethier. Is my sister who tell me they have 3 bells. A lot of the dancer is they are too on the side, we cant see it. We have a lot of difficulty to understand properly the words in the songs. I very sad to tell you that we didnt enjoy the show.
Magnifique! Toujours d’actualité! Bruno Pelletier et Daniel Lavoie en super forme! Esmeralda et Quasimodo! Les danseurs et les acrobates WOW!
