DrMMGilchrist Wow! Plamondon and Cocciante's sung-through musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel is stunning: moving, exciting, funny, tragic. The cast is superb, the staging striking, the score melodic and exhilarating. In many respects, it's one of the more faithful adaptations, although the modernisation of some aspects of the setting is not entirely successful. There may be *some spoilers ahead*, as I make comparisons with the book and other adaptations.Pierre Gringoire's role has been expanded to function as our streetwise narrator and guide through the story: Bruno Pelletier, a wise-cracking, adorable delight, is at his most mischievous in 'Val d'Amour', surrounded by Folies Bergère-style harlots! The other main characters fulfil the roles one expects. Luck Mervil is a dynamic, if youthful Clopin (it's a bit of a jolt when he says he's brought up Esméralda as a father – they look the same age!), and comes into his own in the marvellous 'Cour des Miracles' scene, in which Pierre narrowly escapes hanging. Garou is an impressive and moving Quasimodo. Hélène Ségara is a graceful Esméralda, though perhaps *too* dignified – I was more convinced by Lola Ponce in the Verona recording. Also, script-wise, there are problems with adaptations (like this) which give her a stronger, more mature personality, because, while it's more convincing in terms of her background, the plot hinges on her gullibility and immaturity re: the vain and duplicitous Phoebus (Patrick Fiori). A more plausibly streetwise Esméralda would be more likely to see through him and either avoid or manipulate him. Daniel Lavoie is heartbreaking, and a fine vocal presence, as Claude (although, as in most dramatisations, a couple of decades older than the character). He has some of the best songs, too: 'Tu vas me détruire', 'Etre prêtre' and 'Un matin, tu dansais' – and it helps that the lyrics make powerful use of some of Claude's speeches from the novel. But then, his plight – torn between his desires and his vows, between his traditional ecclesiastical education and the new learning of the Renaissance (here expressed in a duet with Pierre, 'Florence') – is what drives the novel and gives it its tragic heart. He also depicts the Archdeacon's increasing mental breakdown, up to the final hysterical outburst that precipitates his death (dramatically staged). I'm unconvinced by the semi-modernisation making him a racist: the only gypsy with whom he really has a problem in the book is Esméralda, and that's because of his attraction to her. Julie Zenatti is effective as Fleur-de-Lys, here portrayed as an adolescent, but shrewd and scheming: she knows what Phoebus is, and seeks to secure her hold over him by telling him to "hang the gypsy".The minimalist sets work well in terms of allowing the dance sequences to stand out, and to focus attention on the main characters. However, as mentioned already, I'm not entirely convinced by the partial modernisation. The grafting on of modern political themes – undocumented refugees, police racism and brutality – jars when we also have songs such as 'Florence', which places the action in the Renaissance and anticipates the coming Reformation. A full modernisation of setting might work (Dresden Semperoper did a 'Chicago'-style production of Schmidt's 'Notre Dame', with Esméralda-as-Roxie Hart), or a full mediaeval staging (as done in the Russian youth theatre Sed'moe Utro's production in Novokuznetsk), but this is neither one nor t'other.Overall, though, this is a magnificent show, and (bar its omission of subplots around Esméralda's real parentage and Claude's relationship with his brother) is closer to the novel than most film versions. Also, it passes the ultimate test for any musical: you will start humming and singing some of the songs afterwards!

Ara Seong I knew music was beautiful and it makes me feel better but I do not really enjoy listening the music and especially classical music such as opera, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart's music and philharmonic orchestra. I knew it was all wonderful music but whenever I listening to them, I will definitely go sleep. So I wouldn't enjoy it. I can only enjoy part of the music. For example, the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption' when Andy go to the prison's announcement room and then playing the opera(I believe this is one of the best scene in all time.), it was beautiful music.But, I do like watching musical bit childish way because I would like to watching classic Disney cartoon movie such as Beauty and the beast, The lion king, Aladdin and so on.I watched 'Notre-Dame de Paris' about 1 or 2 years ago and that time my English wasn't that good enough to understand the subtitles and interestingly I don't even remember what story is about so I don't have any idea what to say about it.And then a few days ago I have been listening the some musical album such as Les Misérables and Cats. Surprisingly, I realised that how much I enjoyed their singing and playing. This is the what happen when you watched best movie or performance. It's out of nowhere it came to my mind. I don't even know what they talking about or what this story is about but I was so badly wanted to watch it again and listen to music again.I must give rate for 10/10 because I don't even understand what they were saying or talking about but I still want to watch it again.This is extremely powerful and beautiful performance and energetic and splendour musical. It doesn't matter whether anyone likes musical or not so I highly recommended to anyone.

canjam_18 There are no words to describe when watching this movie, it's like a breath of fresh air. Whether you are fluent in french or not you will come to appreciate this movie instantly. It is a classic story of boy loves girl who loves someone else. If anyone has captured a classic it is Victor Hugo.A great deal of people contributed to the beautiful theatrics in this production and although everyone sang beautifully three people stood out in my mind. Bruno Pelletier who played Gringoire, Garou who played Quasimodo, and last but not least Hélène Ségara who played Esmeralda. Bruno Pelletier's voice was so pure, so pure in fact that I never would have guessed he was singing live. I liked Garou's voice in particular because it was like a modernized rock voice meshed with classical ballads. Hélène's voice was just amazing, her range was endless. The sound of their voices were so good that it literally brought tears to my eyes.I strongly recommend this movie to everyone and I give it a ten out of ten simply for the fact that though in french it portrays the universal language of love, which is translated very clearly.

autumn_leaf This is definitely a great musical, definitely one of th best adaptation of the original work. As the previous person said, but there was a mistake made by him or her, Bruno Pelletier was Gringoire, not Frollo. The whole musical was amazing, every singer had an amazing performance, communicating emotion even to non-french speakers. It has beautiful music and lyrics, as well as singers that can sing them well. Out of every one of them my favourite is definitely the Quebecois Bruno Pelletier. He had a very beautiful voice and played the character of Gringoire really well (one thing to note is that Gringoire's character is changed a lot, but Bruno Pelletier was superb in his role.) Even thought there are changes from the original work the musical stayed rather true to the original story. A work very worth seeing, even if you don't understand one word of French it can still touch you. (there are subtittles in many language)