Today’s Wonderful Hunchback Fan-Art is by saxitlurg. It’s original characters concept of the character as kids because it more fun. It was actually painted which also makes it fun. So the overall effect is a cute and fun painting.

Notre Dame de Paris by saxitlurg

Notre Dame de Paris by saxitlurg

From left to right: Quasimodo, Pierre (kneeling), Frollo, Esmerelda, and Pheobus

Frollo and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Frollo and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame has a long film history of being a big grand production and Der Glöckner von Notre Dame of does a good job of capturing a grand scope on stage.

Esmeralda singing Helf den Verstoß'nen Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda singing Helf den Verstoß'nen Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

The Stage Design uses a lot of tricks to simulate heights and locations. They way the show does this is by using hydraulic to raise portions of the stages and they also use projections to show various locations. The Lighting also work well to capture the mood of the scene by also lets the projections shine.  For example, a Rose Window Projection with columns on stage and soft dark lighting to indicate the nave of Notre Dame or Clouds and Stone Carving with bright lights to show the top of the tower of Notre Dame. There are also a lot of moving pieces which add to the spectacle.

 

Esmeralda saving Phoebus Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda saving Phoebus Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

The overall effect looks well integrated and rich and less cheesy than standard sets. You can tell that this where the budget was mostly spent but I think it was worth it The Stage design combine the sets, lighting and projection to give Der Glöckner von Notre Dame a grand majestic style.

Molten Lead Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Molten Lead Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Set Design by Heidi Ettinger, Projections by Jerome Sirlin, and Lighting by Rick Fisher

Watch a video the sets in action here

Next Time – Costumes

Esmeralda dancing Der Glöckner von Notre Dame Picture Image

Esmeralda Dancing Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

In Season 4 episode 8 of The Nanny there is a reference to Hunchback of Notre Dame. It’s pretty obvious that they are refering to the Disney since it was topical at the time.

It starts with the Nanny, Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) complaining that her employer Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy ) isn’t taking her and his daughter Grace (Madeline Zima) to the movies. Maxwell’s buiness partner, C.C. (Lauren Lane)  chimes in by saying that Maxwell will go insane if he has to see “The Hunchback” agian and then the butler Niles (Daniel Davis) who hates C.C. retorts with “Well why don’t you quit”. If you watch the show you’d know that C.C and Niles are always insulting each other, so it’s a “cute” topical reference.

Reference starts at about 2:52
http://youtu.be/UXIu1HMhvxI

 

The Nanny has at least one more Hunchback reference but that is for another post

In honor of my 200th post I decided to do something special. So I made a Comic entitled Quasimodo’s Date. Enjoy.

Quasimodo's Date Comic Made by The Hunchblog

Comic made by me, if you wish to post it somewhere else, please give the Hunchblog credit.

Another round of picture from the  Asian Tour Cast of Notre Dame de Paris. Enjoy the pictures

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Gringoire during the Court of Miracles Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture

Gringoire during the Court of Miracles Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Candice Parise as Esmeralda & Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

The Cast of the Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris picture image

The Cast of the Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

 

 

 

Today’s Fan Art is by DarthxErik and it’s anadorable drawing of Quasimodo from Notre Dame de Paris from the Les Oiseaux Qu’on Met En Cage (The Birds they put in Cages). I saw this on http://notredamedeparisfans.tumblr.com/ and I fell in love with it, it’s just so cute.

Where Are You My Esmeralda by DarthxErik

Where Are You My Esmeralda by DarthxErik

Der Glockner von notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Der Glockner von notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

I’d say that the songs  in Der Glöckner von Notre Dame are good. Sure there are some weak songs but they’re thoughtful and the either drive the plot forward or develop a character. However the music is not without problems.

 

Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

 

First off, I HATE, hate that Esmeralda doesn’t get a solo in this. With exception of the Archdeacon, Clopin and the gargoyles she the only character not get one. Now you maybe thinking “But Hunchblog  the majority of the characters in this didn’t have their own songs. ” Well that  is true but let’s face, each of the gargoyles couldn’t get their own song they’re a trio and as a trio they almost get a single song, Clopin may not a single song but he sings a lot as the narrator and the archdeacon is hardly  even a character so he doesn’t count. Beside the plot pretty much revolves around her you’d think she’d get one but her only big songs has Quasimodo in it. I mean in Notre Dame de Paris every character got one even Fleur de Lys (Phoebus’ Fiancee) got one (La monture) and she is seldom even in the adaptations. So that was a BIG negative.

 

Esmeralda and Antoine Der Glöckner von Notre Dame pictureimage

Esmeralda and Antoine Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

I also got bit tired of the gargoyles singing over people. I do think it was a great way to show that gargoyles are 100% in Quasimodo’s head but it’s gets a bit old after a while. I think the show kept putting the gargoyles in songs so that A Guy Like you wouldn’t feel out of place.  Another thing that gets old is hearing Draußen (Out There) over and over again. Anytime the play wants to reenforce Quasimodo to the audience Draußen is played. Admittedly this maybe unfair because Die Glocken Notre Dames is the most overused as in the play this how Clopin does most of his narrating but since I’ve been judging off the CD it’s Draußen that got old.

 

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame image picture

Esmeralda and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

 

So yeah the songs are good for the most part but what I think really helps a lot of these songs is that singing quality is better. Though I’ve picked on Draußen in this review,   I much prefer it in this musical than in the Disney movie along with Ein Mann wie du (A Man like you). The singers are just much better  and that helps the enjoyment of the songs. Conversely, Hellfire suffers for this and it’s not because the is bad, I mean he put emotionally intensity into the next song Esmeralda, but maybe Hellfire is Tony Jay’s  and no one else compares. Esmeralda and Clopin are one the level though the cresendo at the end of Bell isn’t as powerful as Kendal but he does a great job otherwise.

 

Esmeralda and Clopin during Drunter Drüber" (Topsy Turvy) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda and Clopin during Drunter Drüber” (Topsy Turvy) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

The musical does make the recycled Disney movie songs feel like it’s own which is nice, you don’t feel like their just simply lifted from the movie and put in to a musical. And while I do prefer Notre Dame de Paris Der Glöckner von Notre Dame has wonderful music. Just wish Esmeralda got one song to herself.

 

Next Time – The Production; Sets

Frollo and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Frollo and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Every now and again I get hits from people searching odd questions. So I’m going to start answering your searched questions. I’m going to answer these questions with the all the academic-ness/pedantic-ness I can muster (it’s more fun that way)

Today’s Question: Why is Esmeralda so stupid?

This isn’t actually a “stupid” question like the Big Bird Question but let’s answer it.

19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Dj

19th Century Illustration of Esmeralda with Dj

 

So to answer this question we have decided which Esmeralda is the question referring to. I doubt it’s Disney’s as she is considered to be “Street smart”, my guess this question is refering to the book.

Painting of Esmeralda and Djali by Wiertz

Painting of Esmeralda and Djali by Wiertz

 

Is Esmeralda stupid in the book? Well she is and she isn’t, first let’s explain why she is  not stupid. Esmeralda is smart enough to know that dancing in front of  Notre Dame is profitable. She also knew enough that doing things like fortuning telling would get her into trouble so she never did it.   She also is smart enough to know that people are amused by novel tricks and teaches a few to her goat Djali. I’m not sure how easy it to train a Goat to do tricks but if it’s not smart than it’s talented. She also taught Djali how to spell “Phoebus” which means she need to know how to read at least somewhat and in the 15th the literacy rate was significantly lower. So she at least a smart performer and had some practicality even if these trick are her undoing.

Painting of Esmeralda and Sachette by Nicolas-Eustache Maurin

Painting of Esmeralda and Sachette by Nicolas-Eustache Maurin

 

Now here is the real question, are her actions that are considered  stupid actually naivety? The answer is yes, she is “worldly” as she traveled around Europe but she was sheltered by her group. As result she is very naive. She truly believed Phoebus’ lies because she never dealt with men and she believed it at the end when she mistakingly reveled herself to the soldiers that were sent to arrest her, that Phoebus would help. Arguably this is her stupidest move as it results in not just her death, but her mother’s, Frollo’s and Quasimodo’s deaths as well.

 

Painting of Esmeralda and Djali by Wilhelm Marstrand

Painting of Esmeralda and Djali by Wilhelm Marstrand

 

So while Esmeralda isn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the package she’s not exactly “so stupid” just a bit of a “Dum Dum”. Her stupidity is the result of being young and immature. Can you really say you did nothing stupid at 16?

 

If you search an odd question and find the Hunchblog (and I notice it) I’ll answer it or better yet leave a comment with your weird/odd questions and I’ll answer them in a post. The weirder the better. Normal questions  are welcome too.

This is the Ninth Part (or the last part) of my review on the music of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Molten Lead Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Molten Lead Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Grand Finale or Ultimo Finale is the ending and occurs in two parts. The Finale is where the two most famous differences occurs; The death of Frollo by Quasimodo and the death of Esmeralda. Apparently the translator Michael Kunze campaigned to have Esmeralda die which makes it more like the book, though her death is by a different method. Kunze’s reasoning for this is that Esmeralda’s death would be viewed by European audiences as moving and more romantic of an ending. We’ll see how the American Broadway version handles this, though I kind of hope they keep the German ending.

Judy Weiss as Esmeralda with Frollo (Norbert Lamla) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture images

Judy Weiss as Esmeralda with Frollo (Norbert Lamla) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

The Final starts with Frollo pronouncing Esmeralda’s sentence then it goes into “song” portion. I  use  the word song in quotes because the Finale is a melody piece as it uses songs from throughout the show with one exception.  So it starts pretty much the same as the movie with Sanctuary playing complete with latin lyrics as Esmerlada starts being burned and Quasimodo saves her and proclaiming sanctuary. Then Phoebus starts railing the people of Paris  with the tune of Einmal (Once). Then the scene shifts back to Quasimodo who is defending Notre Dame from Frollo and his minions as he sings the tune of Wie aus Stein (Made of Stone).

Esmeralda dying  Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda dying Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

After he pours the led from Notre Dame Quasimodo checks in on Esmeralda who is dying. My guess is she dying of asphyxia which is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen in body that arises from being unable to breathe normally. In her case this occurred from the fire. Anyway Quasimodo and Esmeralda have  little conversation while Draußen (Outside) is played in the background. Esmeralda thanks Quasimodo for being her friend and then sings Hoch über der Welt (High above the World) and then the conversation  continues for a  couple more lines and then she dies. After she dies Frollo comes in and sings about how he happy to be free of her to the tune of Esmeralda but he sings this in a creepy, off balanced way. Quasimodo gets mad and the song shifts to a new melody with gargoyle singing with the latin choir. The gargoyle basically sing that God strikes the wicked, so the gargoyles, or aspects of Quasimodo’s own mind are telling him that he should kill Frollo, which he does by throwing Frollo off of Notre Dame, like in the book. I will point out that Quasimodo in the book does this in a fit of rage and here it’s a little more pre-mediated. After this the gargoyles sing  Zuflucht (Refuge) about how the world is both cruel and kind. Quasimodo then sings Draußen (Outside) and sings about how he must live out there with all the pain, sorrow and fear that world can bring. He the carries Esmeralda outside and is joined by Phoebus. The ensemble then sing Einmal with as Quasimodo disappears. Then Clopin in his narrator role sings Die Glocken Notre Dames (The Bells of Notre Dame) and it’s pretty akin to the reprise at the end of the movie.

Quasimodo carrying Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo carrying Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

It’s vague what happens to Quasimodo but given how he sings about living it is doubtful that Quasimodo goes off to die. Also considering the two deaths this pretty much same except for Quasimodo and Esmeralda epic running away scene, that’s not there either.

So both Musically and plot wise we have a lot going on. However it’s a fitting ending. All the songs used here fit well together so while it could have felt a bit all over the place the emotional intensity flows well from one into the next. So if you like all these song before you’ll like them here.

Next time – A conclusion  of the music

Esmeralda dancing Der Glöckner von Notre  Dame Picture Image

Esmeralda Dancing Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

 
Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris

 

Here is my newest Squidoo Len Gringoire of Notre Dame de Paris. Lens covers 26 actors who have played Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris. Two more characters and I will have practically covered all the Notre Dame de Paris performers. But these NDdP Character lenses are a lot of work so who know when I’ll get to Clopin and Phoebus. But enjoy the Gringoire actors. I’m still working on quite a few biographies so be sure to check back. (this also my 50th lens ^^)

I have also been trying to create new Hunchback stuff on zazzle. Tying not sure if I’m succeeding though.

Colored Esmeralda Illustration iphone case
Esmeralda Colored Illustration casematecase
Esmeralda Colored Illustration by Hunchstore

Gringoire Shirt
Gringoire; Poet, Genius, Juggler shirt
Gringoire; Poet, Genius, Juggler by Hunchstore

Hopefully I can think up more Hunchback Zazzle ideas… I’ve been in a creative zazzle slump for a while…  :|