NEW YORK | Generous applause, enthusiastic shouts, standing ovations…no doubt Notre Dame de Paris made short work of the Big Apple when it premiered Thursday night at Lincoln Center in New York.
We may have seen Notre Dame de Paris many times over the years—eight times in the case of the author of these lines—but it is impossible to suppress that shudder that arises as soon as the first notes of the cathedral’s time ring out . , immortal success that opens the ball of this music show.
We felt that thrill through the 2,500 or so spectators who gathered in the auditorium, which is just a stone’s throw from Central Park. The communion was perfect and continuous and was only interrupted during the break.
In French
The emotion – conveyed through the words of Luc Plamondon and the music of Richard Cocciante – quickly overcame any language barrier. Because yes, the work will be presented in French for the second consecutive year in the heart of New York.
With English subtitles projected on screens on either side of the stage, it is the interpreters whose gaze remains riveted throughout the show’s premiere. It must be said that the plot is well known in the heart of Notre Dame de Paris and is a staple of popular culture thanks to its original author Victor Hugo.
Luc Plamondon and Richard Cocciante – who had gathered in New York for this premiere – were indeed inspired by the classic work and brought Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Frollo, Gringoire and Co. to new life in songs for a new journey to the year 1482 , in which a young bohemian is obsessed with the male sex with their legendary beauty.
Richard Cocciante and Luc Plamondon met in New York for the premiere of Notre Dame de Paris. Photo Daniel Daigneault / TVA Publications
Well oiled machine
So it’s a well-oiled machine, having established itself for 27 performances in the Big Apple and acclaimed in a total of 20 countries since its inception in 1998. The choreographies are as impressive as they are sophisticated and the stage design is particularly solid, perfectly emphasizing the frankly impressive vocal performances, the pillars of the musical spectacle.
Daniel Lavoie, the only actor from our country who took the stage at this premiere, showed himself in phenomenal form when he put on the tunic of Frollo, priest and main antagonist of Notre Dame de Paris. Another outstanding star, Gian Marco Schiaretti, proves to be a worthy successor to Bruno Pelletier, who dons Gringoire’s frock coat with charisma and suppleness, in addition to multiplying the dangerous and perfectly mastered vocal flights.
Disturbing Quasimodo
And with evident delight we found Angelo Del Vecchio on stage, fully embodied in Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. His heartbreaking “God the World Is Unfair” and “Dance My Esmeralda” alone are worth the price of admission (even in US currency).
The Notre Dame de Paris show, which runs through July 16 at Lincoln Center in New York, will land in the metropolis the following month. The main troupe is reinforced for the occasion by the presence of Quebecers Martin Giroux (Phoebus) and Emma Lépine (Fleur de Lys). Jamie Bono, Robert Marien, Mike Lee and Philippe Tremblay will return to Quebec as stunt doubles for the characters Esmeralda and Fleur de Lys, Frollo, Clopin and Quasimodo.
- The Notre Dame de Paris exhibition will be presented from August 2nd to 10th at the Place des Arts in Montreal.