Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris), description, photo! Notre Dame Cathedral Musical North Dame de Paris Russian version.

“NOTRE DAME DE PARIS” – A MUSICAL ABOUT LOVE THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD

A musical is, first and foremost, a spectacle. There are also fifty songs about love, amazing voices, melodic music combining French chanson and gypsy motifs. "Notre Dame" captivates from the first second. From the first second until the curtain. Nowadays it is difficult to find a person who has not heard about the musical or who has not listened to the musical itself, if not the whole thing, then at least excerpts, perhaps without even realizing what it is. It is safe to say that this musical is the most recognized and most famous in the whole world. And the performers of the main roles have won worldwide recognition.

The fame of the musical spread long before the premiere, which took place in 1998 in Paris. The official premiere was preceded by a disc with songs from the musical, which created a real sensation, winning the top of various charts in many countries. The most famous song musical "Belle" became an independent worldwide hit and received several music awards. Of course, after such a success of the released album, the premiere was eagerly awaited, and not in vain. The musical was a huge success and even entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most visited in its first year on stage.

We can say that success was predetermined. It was based on brilliant work Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame de Paris", the music for the musical was written by the talented Italian-French composer Riccardo Cocciante, the libretto was written by Luc Plamondon, known throughout the world for his enormous contribution to music. He is even called the most popular and The greatest lyricist Francophonie If you add to this the stellar cast musical and the excellent, well-coordinated performance of the participants, it becomes clear why queues form for ticket offices and spectators come to watch "Notre Dame" for the second, and sometimes even the third or fourth time...

"Notre Dame de Paris" - the history of the creation of the musical

Based on the novel Notre Dame de Paris, several films and even a cartoon were created. For several centuries now there has been a story about a beautiful gypsy woman Esmeralda and the hunchback Quasimodo touches the soul of readers and viewers around the world. Luc Plamondon also decided to dedicate the musical to this tragic story. In 1993, Plamondon compiled a rough libretto for 30 songs and showed it to Coccianta, with whom he already had experience working together (“L’amour existe encore,” which he performs). The composer already had several melodies prepared: “Belle”, “Le temps des cathédrales” and “Danse mon Esmeralda”. The authors worked on the musical for 5 years. 8 months before the official premiere, a disc with studio recordings of 16 songs was released theatrical production performed by musical artists, with the exception of parts Esmeralda. This album rocketed to the top of the charts, and the singers became stars overnight. The composition “Belle” was written very first and became the most famous song musical.

Having won enormous success in its native France, the musical began its triumphant march throughout the world. Brussels and Milan, Geneva and Las Vegas. became the first French musical to make a breakthrough on the American stage. Broadway audiences are accustomed to the fact that the most best musicals created by compatriots. And although "Notre Dame" broke through not to Broadway, but to Las Vegas, the success of the musical was undeniable.

The premiere in Russia took place in 2002. The sensational musical was staged at the Moscow Operetta Theater. Yuliy Kim, who translated the libretto from French, compares working on the text with hard labor. When it was first announced that work had begun on the Russian version of the musical, the authors began to receive translation options from both professional and non-professional poets. And some of the translations were so good that Julius Kim agreed to include them in the final version. Thus, in the final version of the musical, Susanna Tsiryuk became the author of the translation of “Belle”. Her translation of the compositions “Live” and “Sing to Me, Esmeralda” was also included. And the song “My Love” was translated by fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Dasha Golubotskaya.

"Notre Dame de Paris" - the plot of the musical

After the death of the gypsy mother Esmeralda ended up under the tutelage of the gypsy king Clopin. A camp of gypsies tries to sneak into Paris to take refuge in Notre Dame Cathedral, but they are driven away by royal soldiers. The captain of the riflemen, Phoebus de Chateaupert, draws attention to Esmeralda. She attracts him with her beauty, but the captain is not free, he is engaged to fourteen-year-old Fleur-de-Lys.

The hunchbacked and lame bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral comes to the festival of jesters to see Esmeralda. Quasimodo in love with her, he sees in her unearthly beauty, she is his complete opposite. He receives the title of King of the Jesters. But his stepfather and mentor Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, breaks with Quasimodo crown He accuses the hunchback of witchcraft and forbids him to even raise his eyes to Esmeralda. Frollo is also secretly in love with the gypsy, and he is overcome with jealousy. However, a priest has no right to love a woman. That's why he wants to kidnap Esmeralda and lock her in the Cathedral tower. The Archdeacon shares his plans with Quasimodo.

Esmeralda They are trying to kidnap her, but Phoebus’s squad is nearby, protecting the beauty. The poet Gringoire, who was following the kidnapping, also becomes a witness to the abduction. Esmeralda. Frollo managed to get out of the water clean, no one even guesses who took part in the kidnapping. A Quasimodo arrested. Frollo hears how, taking advantage of the moment, Phoebus appoints Esmeralda Meet me at the Valley of Love pub.

“The Court of Miracles” is a place where criminals and thieves, tramps and homeless people gather. Grenoire is neither a criminal nor a vagabond, but ends up in a monastery similar people, and for this Clopin wants to hang him. They promise to save Grenoire's life if any of the girls agrees to marry him. Esmeralda agrees to help the poet, and he, in turn, promises to make her his muse. Thoughts Esmeralda full of others. She is madly in love with the handsome young man Phoebe de Chateaupert.

Quasimodo accused of attempted kidnapping and sentenced to ride on the wheel. Frollo is watching all this. Quasimodo thirsty and Esmeralda brings him water. The hunchback, in gratitude, allows her to enter the Cathedral and the bell tower whenever the girl wishes.

Frollo is watching the captain of the riflemen. Phoebus understands what the young gypsy beauty likes. He wants to take advantage of this and heads to Esmeralda to the "Valley of Love". The archdeacon finds the lovers in bed, he grabs the gypsy woman’s knife and wounds Phoebus, and the blame for this crime falls on Esmeralda. When Phoebus recovers, he returns to his bride Fleur-de-Lys.

Trial Esmeralda. She is accused of witchcraft, prostitution, and an attempt on the life of a rifle captain. She denies everything, but she is sentenced to death by hanging.

The dungeon of La Sante prison. Here the unfortunate woman awaits death Esmeralda. Frollo comes to make a deal: he will let her go if she agrees to accept his love and stay with him. When Esmeralda refuses him, Frollo tries to take her by force.

At this time Clopin and Quasimodo. The gypsy king stuns the priest to free his pupil, and Esmeralda hiding in Notre Dame Cathedral. The inhabitants of the “Court of Miracles” come for her, but meet royal soldiers on their way. A group of gypsies and tramps enter into an unequal battle in which Clopin dies. Esmeralda arrested again, and Frollo gives her to the executioner. Quasimodo is looking for his beloved, but finds Frollo, who admits that he gave Esmeralda executioner, because he received a refusal from her. In anger and despair Quasimodo throws the vile archdeacon from the tower of the Cathedral, but he himself dies, hugging the dead, but still beautiful Esmeralda.

“Notre Dame de Paris” – video of the musical

Musical "Notre Dame de Paris" updated: April 13, 2019 by: Elena

The monumental and majestic Notre Dame Cathedral rises on the Ile de la Cité in the center of Paris. His amazing story full of terrible, bloody, daring and epic events.

He was an eyewitness to revolutions and wars, destruction and reconstruction, immortalized in art, continuing to amaze with his strict and rich Gothic architecture, woven into the cast unity of the Romanesque style.

Book a visit to the Cathedral roof

There will be a temple! - the king decided

Louis VII

Louis VII reigned in 1163. Initially, he intended to become a monk, but by the will of fate he was forced to accept the throne when his older brother Philip, the main heir, died after falling from a horse. Having become king, Louis remained faithful to the church all his life, and it was under him that the construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began, and Foundation stone Pope Alexander III had the honor of laying the foundation.

This majestic temple occupied an area where higher powers destined to build God's houses. According to archaeological research, four churches stood here in different eras.

The very first, in the 4th century, was the early Christian church that illuminated the earth, followed by the Merovingian basilica, then the Carolingian cathedral, then the Romanesque cathedral, which was later completely destroyed, and the stones were used on the foundation of the current sanctuary.

The walls were raised in 1177, and the main altar was erected and illuminated in 1182. This event marked the completion of the arrangement of the eastern part of the transept. From that moment on, it was already possible to conduct worship services in the building, although painstaking work still had to last for decades. In 1186, the first grave appeared on the territory - that of Duke Geoffrey of Brittany, and in 1190 - that of Queen Isabella de Hainault.

The nave was nearing completion, and in 1200 construction began on the west façade, now easily recognizable by the two distinctive towers at the main entrance. There was not enough space for the grandiose structure, and in 1208 several nearby houses had to be demolished.

The southern bell tower became operational in 1240, and the northern tower 10 years later. This is considered to be the completion of the first stage of construction of the famous cathedral.

Final works that last a century

By 1257, first the northern and then the southern facades for the transept (a cross-shaped cornice on the plan) were built. In the same year, a spire was erected on the lead roof, which was destroyed in 1789 during revolutionary unrest, and now in its place is a copy installed during the restoration of 1840 by Engen Viollet-de-Duc.

Side chapels continued to be built until the 14th century, but the finishing touch The installation of a fence around the liturgical choir with luxurious folding chairs in which the canons were located is considered to be completed. Minor work continued for some time, but Notre Dame Cathedral was formally completed in 1351, and remained untouched until the 18th century.

Events and persons in history

For two centuries over architectural ensemble Many architects worked, but the most famous were the names of Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil. Jean began work in 1258, and his brainchild is the facades adjacent to the nave and the gates on the south and north sides, as indicated by a plaque on the southern side facade.

After the death of Jean, Pierre came to replace him in 1265, a famous person from the time of “radiant Gothic”, who was called the doctor of stone affairs.

Periodically, the interior was changed, supplemented or restored.

In the years 1708 - 1725, the designer and architect of the early Rococo times - Robert de Cote, changed appearance space in front of the main altar - the cathedral choir. In 1711, he removed from under the throne the elements of the column of the Shipmen's Pillar, which had once been installed by a ship corporation from Lutetia. A new main altar and sculptures were installed in this place.

On the brink of death

Then the French Revolution made its own adjustments. Robespierre, as one of its most influential participants, put forward a demand to pay ransoms to the Convention for all future revolutions if the city does not want “the stronghold of obscurantism to be demolished.”

However, this did not influence the decision of the Convention in 1793, which decided that “all emblems of all kingdoms should be wiped out from the face of the earth.” At the same time, Robespierre took considerable pleasure in giving orders to behead the monarchs lined up in the gallery representing the kings of the Old Testament.

The revolutionaries did not spare the rest of the architecture, destroying stained glass windows and looting expensive utensils. At first the parish was declared the Temple of Reason, later the center of the Cult of the Supreme Being, until the premises were given over to a food warehouse, and then they completely lost interest in it, leaving it in the grip of oblivion.

Don't be surprised to see the statues of kings safe and sound - in the middle XIX century the ensemble was restored. When restoration work was carried out in 1977, part of the kings was discovered in a burial place under a private house. Its owner at one time bought the sculptures, as if for the foundation, buried them himself with honors, and then built a house over them, hiding the graves of the overthrown government.

Revival of former greatness

Victor Hugo

Before early XIX centuries, Notre Dame gradually fell into decay. The majestic cathedral was decrepit, crumbling, turning into ruins, and the authorities were already thinking about its demolition.

In 1802, Napoleon returned the building to the church, which hastened to reconsecrate it. But in order to awaken in Parisians the desire to save the temple, to awaken a love for their history and architecture, a push was needed. It was Victor Hugo’s novel “Notre Dame de Paris,” where love passions unfold on the pages, published in 1831.

Thanks to the restorer architect Viollet de Duque, the temple not only received new life, and found a fresh face.

First of all, he took care of repairing serious damage to stop further devastation. Then he set about restoring the destroyed statues, sculptural compositions, I didn’t forget about the spire, which was also demolished during the revolution.

The new needle is 96 m long, made of oak and lined with lead. At the base it is surrounded on four sides by the figures of the apostles, and in front of them are winged tetramorphs: the bull is the symbol of Luke, the lion is Mark, the angel is Matthew, the eagle is John. It is noteworthy that all the statues turned their gaze to Paris, and only St. Thomas, the patron saint of architects, half turned around and examined the spire.

All the work took 23 years, which indicates the catastrophic condition of the temple before the restoration began.

Viollet also proposed demolishing the buildings that at that time were located in close proximity to the cathedral, and now in their place in front of the facade there is a modern square.

Since then, the building has remained in relatively constant condition, only occasionally undergoing forced cosmetic work. It was not even damaged during the last wars. At the end of the twentieth century, it was decided to carry out major work to refresh it and restore the original golden hue of the sandstone façade.

And strange animals were born

The idea of planting chimeras at the foot of the towers was a very successful one. They have become not only an exotic decoration, but also a disguise for the drainage pipe system, which prevents moisture from accumulating on the roof, causing mold to appear and gradually undermining the masonry.

Here you can distinguish animals, dragons, gargoyles, demons, other fantastic creatures and people. All the gargoyles carefully peer into the distance, turning their heads to the west, waiting for the sun to hide behind the horizon, the time of the children of the night will come, and then they will come to life.

In the meantime, the animals froze in an expectant pose with an expression of impatience on their faces, like inexorable guardians of morality in search of manifestations of sin. These otherworldly inhabitants of Notre-Dame de Paris give famous temple special charisma. If you want to look them in the eyes, they will take you up in a lift for a fee.

Exterior decoration of the cathedral

Being nearby, you want to look at it in all its details, never tired of being amazed at the skill of the architects who managed to achieve an amazing result in the harmony of images and completeness of forms.

The main entrance has three pointed gates, illustrated with displays from the Gospel. Central tells the story Last Judgment with the main judge - Jesus Christ. On the sides of the arch there are seven statues lined up, below are the dead who have risen from their tombs, awakened by the forges of angels.

Among the awakened dead you can see women, warriors, one pope and a king. Such a motley company makes it clear that all of us, regardless of status, will appear before the highest justice and will be equally responsible for our earthly deeds.

The right entrance is decorated with a statue Holy Virgin with a baby, and the left one is given to the Virgin Mary and includes images of the symbols of the zodiac, as well as a scene when a crown is placed on the head of the Virgin Mary.

Immediately above the three portals are 28 crowned statues - the very kings who were overthrown from their pedestals during the revolution, and which Viollet de Duc later restored.

Above, a large western compass rose bloomed. She is the only one that has retained partial authenticity. It has two circles with stained-glass petals (the small one has 12 petals, the big one has 24), enclosed in a square, which symbolizes the unity of divine infinity and the material world of people.

The cathedral rose was first decorated with stained glass windows in 1230, and they tell about the eternal struggle between vices and virtue. It also includes zodiac symbols and scenes of peasants at work, and in the center is the figure of the Mother of God and Child.
In addition to the central rose, with a diameter of 9.5 m, the other two, 13 m each, decorate the facades on the south and north, considered the largest in Europe.

Taking a closer look at the towers at the main entrance, you will notice that the northern one, which is closer to the Seine, looks more massive than its southern neighbor. This is because it was the only place where bells rang until the 15th century. If the main alarm sounds on rare occasions, then the others announce the time at 8 and 19 hours.

Each bell has its own personality, differing own name, tonality and weight. “Angelique Françoise” is a heavy lady, weighing 1765 kg and with a C-sharp voice. Less textured, but also inspiring respect is “Antoinette Charlotte” at 1158 kg, sounding in D sharp. Behind her comes “Hyacinth Jeanne,” who weighs only 813 kg and sings with the note F. And finally, the smallest bell is “Denis David”, which weighs no more than 670 kg and chimes like an F-sharp.

Inside the sanctum sanctorum

About luxury interior decoration You can talk about the temple for hours, but it’s much more pleasant to plunge into this splendor in person. While anticipating sightseeing, take a look at the Notre Dame Cathedral in the photo and feel its solemn atmosphere.

It is impossible not to mention the impression when the hall is bathed in the daytime rays of the sun, refracted through numerous stained glass windows, making the lighting look futuristic, magical, unearthly and mysterious, playing with multi-colored reflections.

There are a total of 110 windows in the cathedral, and all are glazed with stained glass with a theme of biblical themes. True, not many survived, since merciless time and people destroyed most of them in different time, and in their place copies were installed back in mid-19th century centuries.

However, some glass panels managed to survive to this day. They are unique in that, due to the imperfection of glass manufacturing technology of that time, they look more massive, uneven, and contain random inclusions and balls of air. But the previous masters were able to turn even these flaws into advantages, making the paintings in these places sparkle and play with tints of light and color.

Inside the temple, the wind roses look even more amazing, and even mysterious, thanks to the light penetrating through their stained glass windows. Bottom part The central flower is covered by an impressively sized organ, but the lateral ones are visible in all their splendor.

The organ has always been present at Notre Dame, but for the first time in 1402 it became truly large. At first they did it simply - the old instrument was placed in a newer Gothic shell. To maintain the sound and appearance at the proper level, it has been tuned and rebuilt many times throughout history. Modern civilization has not ignored it either - in 1992, the copper cable was replaced with optical cable, and the control principle was made computerized.

You will spend more than one hour in the temple, paying attention to paintings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, ornaments, stained glass windows, chandeliers, columns. Not a single detail can be ignored, because each one is an integral part of a unique ensemble, part of biblical and secular history.

Photo gallery of stained glass windows of Notre Dame de Paris

1 of 12

Time seems to flow differently inside. It’s like you’re going through a time loop and plunging into a completely different reality. Sit down on a bench, let yourself be amazed by the unique, luxurious interior, and then close your eyes and absorb the solemn sounds of the organ and enjoy the aroma of candles.

But you will feel the edge of centuries especially vividly when you leave the walls of the cathedral, and you will not be able to resist the temptation to return to the peaceful atmosphere.

You should also go down to the treasury, which stores unique items and is located under the square in front of the cathedral. Of particular pride is the sacred artifact - the crown of thorns of the Savior, which in 1239 was given to the temple by the monarch Louis IX, having bought it from the Byzantine emperor.

A bright mark in life and culture

For many centuries, Notre Dame Cathedral has inspired, united and gathered people under its arches different eras. Knights came here to pray before the Crusade; here they crowned, crowned and buried kings; members of the first parliament of France gathered within its walls; Here they celebrated the victory over the fascist troops.

For the preservation and resurrection of such a beautiful architectural monument, we must thank, among other things, Victor Hugo, because with his great work he was able to reach the Parisians. Today this majestic structure inspires contemporary writers, filmmakers and authors computer games to its own variations of events, with treacherous enemies and brave heroes, revealing age-old secrets and riddles.

Notre Dame Cathedral on the map

Has been under the tutelage of the Gypsy Baron Clopin since the death of his mother. After a gypsy camp tries to sneak into Paris and take refuge in Notre Dame Cathedral (“Les Sans-Papiers”), they are driven away by the royal soldiers (“Intervention de Frollo”) on the orders of Archdeacon Frollo. The captain of the riflemen, Phoebus de Chateaupert, becomes interested in Esmeralda (“Bohémienne”). But he is already engaged to 14-year-old Fleur-de-Lys (“Ces Diamants-Là”).

At the clownish festival, the hunchbacked, crooked and lame bell-ringer of the Cathedral, Quasimodo, comes to look at Esmeralda, with whom he has fallen in love (“La Fête des Fous”). Because of his ugliness, he is elected King of the Jesters (“Le Pape des Fous”). At this point, Quasimodo's guardian and mentor, the Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral Claude Frollo, intervenes. He tears off his jester's crown and forbids him to even look at the girl, accusing her of witchcraft, and then orders the hunchback to kidnap the gypsy and lock her in the cathedral tower (“La Sorcière”).

At night, the poet Pierre Gringoire follows Esmeralda ("Les Portes de Paris") and witnesses her attempted abduction. But Phoebus’s detachment was guarding nearby, and he protects the gypsy (“Tentative d’Enlèvement”). Quasimodo is arrested. The captain arranges a date for the rescued woman at the “Shelter of Love” cabaret.

Gringoire ends up in the Court of Miracles - the abode of vagabonds, thieves and other lumpen people. Clopin decides to hang him because he, not being a criminal, went there. The poet can only be saved by the consent of any of the women living there to take him as their husband. Esmeralda, after a proposal from her guardian, agrees to save Pierre ("La Cour des Miracles"). He promises to make her his muse, but the gypsy is preoccupied with thoughts of Phoebe. She asks the man about the meaning of her lover's name ("Le Mot Phoebus", "Beau Comme Le Soleil").

For attempting to kidnap Esmeralda, Quasimodo was sentenced to be thrown on the wheel (“Anarkia”). Frollo watches this. When the hunchback asks for a drink, the girl gives him water (“À Boire”).

In the market square, all three - Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus - confess their love to her (“Belle”). In gratitude for the water, the first shows her the Cathedral and the bell tower, inviting her to come in whenever she wants (“Ma maison, c’est ta maison”).

Frollo pursues Phoebus and, together with him, enters the “Shelter of Love” (“L’Ombre”, “Le Val d’Amour”). Seeing the gypsy with the captain ("La Volupté"), he stabs him with the gypsy's dagger, which Esmeralda lost in Quasimodo's attack, and runs away, leaving the victim to die ("Fatalité").

Act II

Esmeralda is arrested and imprisoned in La Santé prison ("Où Est-Elle?"). Phoebus is cured and returns to Fleur-de-Lys, who asks him to swear that the homewrecker will be punished (“La Monture”, “Je Reviens Vers Toi”).

Frollo tries and tortures Esmeralda. He accuses her of witchcraft, prostitution and the assassination of Phoebus. The gypsy woman declares that she is not involved in this. She is sentenced to death by hanging (“Le Procès”, “La Torture”). An hour before his execution, Claude descends into the dungeon of La Sante prison (“Visite de Frollo à Esmeralda”). He confesses his love to the prisoner and offers to save her in exchange for reciprocity, but Esmeralda refuses (“Un matin tu dansais”). The Archdeacon tries to take it by force, but at this time Clopin and Quasimodo penetrate the dungeon. The jester stuns the priest and frees the stepdaughter (“Libérés”), who is hiding in Notre Dame Cathedral.

Residents of the "Court of Miracles" come there to pick up Esmeralda. Royal soldiers under the command of Phoebus enter into battle with them (“L’Attaque De Notre-Dame”). Clopin is killed. The tramps are expelled (“Déportés”). Claude Frollo gives the gypsy woman to Phoebus and the executioner. Quasimodo searches for her, but meets Claude, who admits to him that he did this because he was rejected (“Mon maître mon sauveur”). The hunchback throws his owner off the cathedral and dies himself with Esmeralda’s body in his arms (“Donnez-La Moi”, “Danse Mon Esmeralda”).

December 3, 2013, 08:43

Notre-Dame de Paris / Notre-Dame Cathedral (1998)

music: Richard Cocciante (Richard Cocciante)

libretto: Luc Plamondon (Luke Plamondon)

Musicals have not always been popular in France. Just a few years ago, even the famous Andrew Lloyd-Webber shows, broadcast all over the world, were received with restraint by the local public. Perhaps this was another manifestation of “Great French chauvinism” - the French would have been much more willing to watch musical performance on a topic close to them. Schonberg and Boublil took this feature of the French viewer into account, and their works - “The French Revolution” and “Les Misérables” immediately won the love of their compatriots. Moreover, these musicals were well received abroad. Is it true, " French Revolution"was staged outside the country only once - in neighboring Germany, but Les Misérables became a real world sensation and successfully competed with Webber's blockbusters. In 1998, everything changed.

Victor Hugo

Notre Dame Cathedral is the most famous symbol of France and its capital, apart from Eiffel Tower. And if you remember the largest French writer- Victor Hugo, who glorified the Council in his novel of the same name, then the musical "Notre-Dame de Paris" was doomed to success, at least in Hugo's homeland. In the end, this story has everything the viewer needs, that is, in the words of Stoppard's Actor, "blood, love and rhetoric."

The idea to give new life to Hugo's characters came to the mind of Luc Plamondon, a native of French Canada, the author of lyrics for the French rock opera "Starmania". He says that once, while trying to find a theme for a musical, he looked through a book about popular literary heroes. It is curious that it was not Esmeralda who attracted Plamondon’s attention, but Quasimodo. It was this character, whose name became a household name, that gave the librettist the idea of making a rock opera out of Hugo’s classic work. Plamondon was not the first to have the idea of using the novel Notre-Dame de Paris as the basis for a work of a completely different genre. Great book Hugo has been filmed many times; there is the oldest, still silent film with the famous Lon Chaney in the role of Quasimodo, and later films and television versions; Even ballets and musicals were created based on the novel. In addition, Hugo himself suggested that "The Cathedral..." could serve as the basis for an opera, and even wrote a libretto.

So, Luc Plamondon compiled rough plan musical (about 30 songs) and turned to composer Richard Cocciante (French on his mother, Italian on his father, who grew up in Italy), with whom they had already worked together, writing, among other things, the song "L" Amour Existe Encore" for Celine Dion Cocciante immediately offered him several tunes that later became hits - “Belle”, “Danse Mon Esmeralda”, “Le Temps des Cathedrales”.

Work on the musical "Notre Dame de Paris" began in 1993, and the French premiere took place in September 1998 in Paris. A concept album had been released eight months earlier. The recording, as well as the production that followed it, was attended by Canadian pop stars - Daniel Lavoie (Frollo), Bruno Pelletier (Grengoire), Luc Merville (Clopin). The role of Esmeralda in the studio version was performed by Noa, and in the performance by the Frenchwoman Hélène Segara. Marseilles (half-Armenian) Patrick Fiori played the role of F:). Eighteen-year-old Julie Zenatti played Fleur-de-Lys. A previously unknown but promising singer, Pierre Garand, who chose the stage name Garou (a native of Quebec), was invited to play the role of Quasimodo.

The production was directed by the famous avant-garde French director Gilles Maillot. The design of the performance, performed in a minimalist, concert style, was carried out by opera designer Christian Rätz, costumes were created by fashion designer Fred Satal, lighting was done by Alan Lortie (who previously staged the lighting of rock concerts), and dancing was done by Martino Müller, who specialized in modern ballet choreography. Despite the apparent simplicity of the scenography and the unusual format (the show did not fit into the standards set by the musicals of Webber and Schonberg), the audience immediately fell in love with the performance. The first year of the musical "Notre-Dame de Paris" was so successful that this fact was noted in the Guinness Book of Records. The single "Belle" stayed at number one in the French charts for 33 weeks and was recognized best song fiftieth anniversary.

The story told in the musical is quite close to the original storyline novel by Hugo. A young gypsy girl named Esmeralda attracts the attention of men with her beauty. Among them are the archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral Frollo, the young handsome captain of the royal riflemen Phoebus and the ugly bell ringer Quasimodo, Frollo's pupil. Esmeralda falls madly in love with the most beautiful of them - F:). He doesn't mind taking advantage of this, despite the fact that he has a fiancée, Fleur-de-Lys. Frollo is overwhelmed with jealousy and tormented by doubts - after all, he, as a priest, has no right to love a woman. Quasimodo admires the young gypsy, seeing in her that unattainable, unearthly beauty that is his complete opposite. The poet Gringoire, whom Esmeralda saves from death by agreeing to become his wife according to the laws of the inhabitants of the Court of Miracles (gypsies, thieves and tramps), proclaims the girl his muse. Clopin - the "king" of the Court of Miracles - treats her with fatherly care. It seems that the whole world revolves around Esmeralda.

By coincidence tragic circumstances, provoked by Frollo's jealousy, the gypsy ends up in prison - she is accused of attempted murder F:). Frollo gives the girl a chance to free herself - if she gives him a “moment of bliss.” Esmeralda refuses, but is saved by her gypsy friends and Quasimodo. But not for long - soon the heroine is arrested again. Esmeralda ends her life on the gallows. Quasimodo, having learned that the culprit of these events is his teacher, throws Frollo from the tower of the Cathedral. Then he hugs the dead, but still beautiful body Esmeralda and remains by her side until the end of her days.

If anyone is interested in the details of the plot, listen to the musical and read Victor Hugo.

After phenomenal success at home, the musical began to win fans beyond its borders. In 1999, Notre Dame was staged in Canada, still on French. In the same year, the play toured France, Belgium and Switzerland. Then Will Jennings, the author of lyrics for some of Celine Dion's compositions, including the famous "My Heart Will Go On", was commissioned to write the English libretto. The show played in Las Vegas and finally opened in London in 2000.

The cast included the stars of the French production - Daniel Lavoie, Bruno Pelletier, Luc Merville and Garou. The role of Esmeralda was played by the famous Australian Tina Arena, and F:) - by the Englishman Steve Balsamo. In 2001, the musical was closed, having lasted on the West End stage for only about a year. Now six audio versions of Notre Dame are available to fans of the musical. in French: a studio concept album (1998), a double album recorded live at a performance at the Palais des Congrès in Paris (2000) and a recording made at the Mogador Theater (2001). After the London production, a collection of hits from the musical was released on English language(year 2000). One of them is "Live for the One I Love" (originally "Vivre") was performed by Celine Dion on the bonus track. In addition, albums with Italian and Spanish versions of the musical were released. There is also a video recording of the French version of the musical with the original cast.

Notre-Dame de Paris" failed to compete with the Broadway and London shows, but in Russia it received no less love than in its homeland. Evidence of this is the numerous translations of the libretto and individual songs and no less numerous amateur performances.

On May 21, 2002, the domestic production of “Notre Dame de Paris” opened, carried out by the producers of the musical “Metro,” who own the exclusive rights to show the show in Russia for a period of six years. Work on the project began in 2001. 1,482 people took part in the casting. The creators of the Russian version selected 45 performers - singers, dancers, acrobats and break dancers, from whom three lineups were formed.

The lead singer of the group "Dancing Minus" Vyacheslav Petkun was invited to play the role of Quasimodo, Teona Dolnikova - Esmeralda, Anton Makarsky - Febos, and Alexander Marakulin - Frollo. The performance was staged by British director Wayne Fawkes, the libretto was translated by Yuliy Kim (with the exception of four songs, the translation of which belongs to Susanna Tsuryuk (“Belle”, “Sing to me, Esmeralda”, “Live”) and Dasha Golubotskaya (“My Love”)). The Russian "Notre-Dame de Paris", in which two million dollars were invested, is being performed at the Moscow Operetta Theater.

Cast (France)