Periodically I look through Amazon to see what kind of Hunchback stuff is around. Recently I found  this,

Alain Rivière-Lecoeur Esmeralda & the Hunchback 2015

Alain Rivière-Lecoeur, Esmeralda & the Hunchback 2015

And do the fact this is a framed piece, the above picture does not show the whole this. This was done by Alain Rivière-Lecoeur who is a photographer and from what can tell it seems like he work with people to look like sculptures and not the other way around. Check out more of his work here.

So let’s look at the actual piece. I was a minor in Art History, so I’m not super unqualified. First off given the title of the piece this depicts a the end of the novel after Esmeralda has been hung and Quasimodo goes to the vault to die, don’t need a degree to say that. I’m personally not a fan of the overt sexual positioning of Quasimodo’s hands, since I find it hard to imagine Quasimodo actually touching Esmeralda like that.  Given the apparent medium I can understand why there is no hunch, if this was a sculpture I would take more umbrage with that artistic choice but give that it’s a person it a little more forgivable. Would I have preferred one? Yes. I do like the movement in the pose. As a photograph, it’s a good artistic pose.

Not sure I personally like this as either a pice of art or as a piece of Hunchback art, which I mean I don’t think there is a ton of especially modern art, so it’s nice to get something. I more appreciate the the process and the technique with it, as humans look like sculptures. I did think this was a sculpture at first

Do check it out on Amazon link below just to look at the price, which spoiler, is A LOT. Disclaimer I do not expect anyone to get this piece of art for their home, link is only to show the piece more & the price…. which  is a lot, just take a look.

Alain Rivière-Lecoeur’s Esmeralda & the Hunchback, 2015

My heart and thoughts go out to the people of  Paris, France and the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQBAVC1tdjk&spfreload=10

Ok a few things, first off I really like the costume. I like Esmeralda is blues but you can see the Disney inspiration but it doesn’t feel tacky or cheap, it feels right.

Second, I want to thank the person who gave this song back to Esmeralda. In the German version they made this song a duet with Quasimodo, which sure that is was quiet lovely but she didn’t get any other solo and even Phoebus got a solo number and he didn’t even sing in Disney version despite the fact that Kevin Kline can sing (he sings in my new favorite song Electric Love,*) not that really makes a different as Demi Moore didn’t sing for Esmeralda either.

And finally speaking of Esmeralda’s singing, I really like Ciara Renee’s voice for the role. She has a similar voice to Heidi Mollenhauer which is in turn similar to Demi Moore. A voice which has dark, almost smokey tone but with a lot of warmth.

I also think it’s interesting that Frollo is taking the Archdeacon role here which is similar to Frollo from 1982 and 1939 version. Not sure it because of this influenced by the  movies or not just interesting.

Anyway what do you think?

(I might talk about this show more if I ever do posts on other works by Hunchback actors  ^_~)

Oh and Kevin Kline is going to be in the new Beauty and Beast movie as Maurice, Mind-Blown

Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection: The Little Mermaid by Lorelay Bove picture image

Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection: The Little Mermaid by Lorelay Bove

 

Because its Cyber Monday I thought I would post more terrible Disney Princess Products but in my search I found The Legacy of Collection of The Little Mermaid which featured the art of Lorelay Bove. For some reason this made look her up.  I really like the colors and texture of her work and I was curious  to see if she had done any Hunchback artwork but then I found this book.

LOVELY: LADIES OF ANIMATION: THE ART OF Lorelay Bove, Brittney Lee, Claire Keane, Lisa Keene, Victoria Ying and Helen Chen picture image

LOVELY: LADIES OF ANIMATION: THE ART OF Lorelay Bove, Brittney Lee, Claire Keane, Lisa Keene, Victoria Ying and Helen Chen

LOVELY: LADIES OF ANIMATION: THE ART OF Lorelay Bove, Brittney Lee, Claire Keane, Lisa Keene, Victoria Ying and Helen Chen. Lisa Keene worked The Hunchback of Notre Dame as the character designer but she also has done background work on a lot of other Disney movies. While I can’t  say for sure if it has any Hunchback art in it or no it os full of beautiful art work. So if you know someone who like me and loves art book and animation with would make a great gift.

The Art of the Disney Golden Books (Disney Editions Deluxe) picture image

The Art of the Disney Golden Books (Disney Editions Deluxe)

 

There is also this The Art of the Disney Golden Books (Disney Editions Deluxe). Again I’m not sure if does have Hunchback in it but it seems more likely.  Again would make a great gift for though who like art books and Disney movies.

La Jolla Hunchback Poster picture image

La Jolla Hunchback Poster

The musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is first to play at the La Jolla playhouse in San Diego on October 26 through  December 7. You can get tickets for it now.

However after that starting on March 4th through April 5th the production goes to Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn New Jersey.  So east coast people can get a chance.

I hope they release the casting of the musical soon.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tickets-Now-on-Sale-for-Disneys-HUNCHBACK-OF-NOTRE-DAME-at-La-Jolla-Playhouse-20140802#.U_OgU15muxo 

Esmeralda would probably wear Emeraude.

Edit – Phoebus bought it for her

Disclaimer – Not affiliated with Lovell Design just a fan of their stuff

My Angers Rose Window Pendant by  Lovell Design picture image

My Angers Rose Window Pendant by Lovell Design

I have been a fan of Lovell Design for a few years now. they make Lovell Design natural and nautical theme jewelry pieces. When I was in Maine for a day I went to one of their stores and I saw that they made Rose Window pendants and pins from the Cathedrals in Europe. THe have two of Notre Dame’s Rose Windows. I got the Rose Window from Angers. It’s one of my favorite pendants to wear.

Notre Dame North Rose Window Pendant by Lovell Design picture image

Notre Dame North Rose Window Pendant by Lovell Design

You can get one the Rose Window Pieces on  Lovell’s website. In addition to Notre Dame North and West Rose Windows and Angers they have Rose Window designs from Chartres, Clermont, Lausanne, and St Chapelle.

And can you check Lovell Design other pieceson Amazon, sad to say the Rose Window are not there but there stuff is very pretty I love their St. Brendan’s Cross.

Let’s concluded with series of posts with titular character herself, Notre Dame.

Notre Dame, Paris, France - Matted Photo

Notre Dame, Paris, France – Matted Photo

Notre Dame means in French Our Lady. Notre Dame de Paris mean Our lady of Paris. All churches that have Notre Dame in them refer to the Virgin Mary.

 

The original title novel, Notre Dame de Paris, has double meaning, it refers to the Cathedral and Esmeralda. Esmeralda has a lot of association to the Virgin Mary in the book, but that is a post series for another time.

 

Illustration Sister Gudule and Esmeralda by Luc Oliver Merson picture image

Illustration Sister Gudule and Esmeralda by Luc Oliver Merson

Sister Gudule has an impressive array of names and nicknames.

Let’s start with Sister Gudule. The Sister indicates she is a nun. Gudule is an ceratin type of nun called anchoress. Very simply, an Anchoress is one who retires from the world and prays. These nuns are also called Sachette. I think the name comes from the rags they wear. The name Gudule is French name that seems to be derived from the name Gudula which is derived from Gothic for either guths meaning God or from gôds meaning good. This reflects Gudule’s devotion to praying to god to answer she only prayer which is to have her daughter returned to her

Her name however is Paquette Guybertaut. It’s a little unclear what Paquette means as a first name, one source said Ruddy-cheeked and another indicated it’s pet-form of Pacquet which is “a bundle of kindling” Given her character in her youth and her father was a minstrel, Ruddy-cheeked makes more sense. Her true last name is Guybertaut. Guybertaut on its own does not to seem to be a real surname. Guybertaut can be broken down to Guy and Bertaut. Guy as a last name indicates coming from district of Guise in France. Bertaut is a real surname but I can’t find any hint as its meaning. It doesn’t really matter as Gudule does not remember this name, she only remembers the nickname she was given when she was eighteen.

She was more commonly referred to as Paquette la Chantefleurie. Chantefleurie means “The Flower Song”. It symbolizes her winsome youthful nature which is a kin to Esmeralda’s personality.

Her names reflect her capricious youth and her harsh adulthood as a recluse yearning for lost child.