Notre Dame de Paris | The Hunch

03Mar 2015

Quasimodo of Notre Dame de Paris; Love him Damn it

by jess

Garou as Quasimodo

As is seemingly standard in Notre Dame de Paris, Quasimodo’s depiction is one of the best in any adaption of Hunchback, and for the record I’m getting a little tired saying that. Unlike Frollo and Esmeralda, Quasimodo’s characterization doesn’t differ too much from cast version to cast version. While the role has its complexities and is hard to play the basic tenants of morose, nice and melancholy are not super hard convey, actually isn’t that want actors really want to play? It just make for a likable character.

Garou as Quasimodo

So what is Quasimodo like in this version? Well, like I just said he is nice and morose, like the book as well as tender which I did not say. Many versions tend to make Quasimodo more sympathetic and sad than showcase his anger over people not liking him for his afflictions. In Notre Dame de Paris his anger isn’t really focused on other people, he wants people to like him, mainly Esmeralda. Most of his solo songs express his longing for love and his anger over his deformities.

Garou as Quasimodo

More or less akin to the book, Quasimodo’s love for Esmeralda is more pure but unlike the book it’s a little more romantic. Quasimodo makes mentions to Esmeralda’s body, her dancing and his eyes going under her skirt as if he were possessed. He just seems a little more self-aware than book Quasimodo. He also offers her a place at Notre Dame before she needs it.

Quasimodo and Esmeralda

Unlike the book, Quasimodo isn’t as in love with Notre Dame. Oh, he likes it as two of his songs indicate but he is nowhere to be seen in the attack segment of the musical, which I’m never letting go of. Really, he gets one song to say Notre Dame is awesome and one other song about the bells though there is a lot of angst in that song. Another kind of sort big difference is that he was in to Esmeralda prior to her giving him water, so he was attracted to her for her beauty, the kindness was a perk. It’s a big difference as in that book Quasimodo hated everyone for not liking him but here it does want people to like him and is mad more or less at God for making him ugly.

Garou as Quasimodo & Helene Segara Danse mon Esmeralda,Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Notre Dame de Paris Ending

Quasimodo in Notre Dame de Paris is the closest to the book. Is it perfect? No but there is so much power and pathos to this Quasimodo that no one would hardly ever think about it, unless you’re a Notre Dame de Paris blogger and then you have to think about it.

Next Time Phoebus

Patrick Fiori as Phoebus

24Feb 2015

Gringoire of Notre Dame de Paris; When you get the best songs you don’t need a character

by jess

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris

I’m at a loss as to what to say about Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris. Unlike Esmeralda and Frollo. Gringoire’s characterization doesn’t change version to version, so there isn’t a distinction between Bruno Pelletier’s Gringoire to the other actors.

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire with Daniel Lavoie as Frollo pointing at him picture image — Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire with Daniel Lavoie as Frollo pointing at him

Gringoire is the story teller and gives some exposition. He sort of interacts with other characters, mainly Frollo.

However Gringoire is likable. He just immersed into this world and story that he pulls the audience into it. Every song he sings there is a certainty to it and it makes him seem all the more wonderful.

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire with Helene Segara as Esmeralda in Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire with Helene Segara as Esmeralda

Gringoire here isn’t a coward like he is in the book. He starts off liking Esmeralda but he doesn’t pursue her or fall in love with her like in some other versions. He does seem a little hurt when Esmeralda tells him that she likes someone else but he takes in strides.

Speaking of Esmeralda, I wish he got another song with her. He only got one duet with her plus two ensemble numbers, they also get two lines in an addition to La Cour des Miracles in other versions.

That’s sort of it, he doesn’t have much a characterization as all the songs he sings say nothing about him except that he is a troubadour and not a ladies man, that’s it. This should bother me but there is so much power in the songs Gringoire sings that it’s forgivable.

Next Time – Quasimodo

Garou as Quasimodo Notre Dame de Paris image picture — Garou as Quasimodo Notre Dame de Paris

17Feb 2015

Frollo of Notre Dame de Paris; Richly Pathetic

by jess

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

Like Esmeralda, Frollo’s personality really come done to which Notre Dame de Paris cast you’re watching. Some play him big and expressive while others are restrained. However no matter which cast you are watch, Frollo in Notre Dame de Paris is the closest depiction to the novel that we will ever get.

Frollo

Frollo was originally played by French-Canadian singer Daniel Lavoie. Lavoie plays a more restrain Frollo. Every movement Lavoie gives is tense. You get the feeling that he trying within himself to contain himself and is losing. But what makes him the best depiction of Frollo.

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

For one thing he is a priest though more than a few get that. Second he like science. Although it really just mentioned in a passing song but it counts. So far only THREE other Frollos even hinted at interested and and two where in dorky kid’s versions.

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

No, what what really makes this Frollo stand out as great is that you can get sympathy for him. You understand that he wants Esmeralda and does horrible things but there is pathos to him which is very in keeping with the book.

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

The sympathy that Lavoie’s Frollo portrayals gives the character a lot of complexity. I get the sense that his lust comes more from a place of love than most Frollos but his profession tortures him.

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

However Lavoie may have too much pathos and restrain. Don’t get me wrong, I really like version but that deafening madness of lust doesn’t truly over take him as it does in the book. The most Lavoie does is a mad laugh at the end. Like I said you feel his inner craziness cause by his lust but it remains too inward, we need outward drama especially at the end.

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo

That being said I would take a Frollo that has his lust drives him to pathos over a Frollo that is just evil or elicits zero sympathy.

Next Time Gringoire

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris

11Feb 2015

Hypothetical Casting; Emmy Rossum as Esmeralda

by jess

Emmy Rossum

One name that pops up from time to time as a possible casting pick for Esmeralda, especially with regards to musical versions as in Notre Dame de Paris, is Emmy Rossum. Emmy Rossum is most known for her role in the 2004 movie version of The Phantom of the Opera as Christine Daae.

When I first saw the Phantom movie I really dislike it and her performance as I thought she was just weak on the vocals as well as Gerald Butler, however I have since soften on that opinion and I really don’t care. But Christine Daae is a very technically demanding role whereas Esmeralda in Notre Dame de Paris isn’t. Oh don’t get me wrong, you need a good singer but you don’t need someone who can hit that E6. So would Emmy Rossum make a good Notre Dame de Paris Esmeralda?

Emmy Rossum

Well, one thing Rossum has going against her on the looks front is her skin tone, she is pale. However I think musicals are more forgivable for skin tone. I say give her bronzer if she is the best person for the role and there is that pesky little question again. Her other looks fit into the scope of the token look for Esmeralda of Notre Dame de Paris, so she pretty good on the look front.

Emmy Rossum as Christine Daae from The Phantom of the Opera

But what about her voice? Like I said Rossum isn’t my favorite Christine Daae, to be honest I don’t have one I have a few but again not the question here. Rossum is often label as a lyric soprano which has warm full quality. Now I’m not going to pretend that I know anything about voice, I couldn’t tell you the difference between was it really means to be a Coloratura Soprano vs a Soubrette vs a Lyric Soprano. However listening to parts of Rossum’s Inside Out and Sentimental Journey I can say I prefer Rossum singing at the lower vocal register which is fine for Esmeralda. I think Rossum could sing to role perfectly well.

Emmy Rossum as Finoa from Shameless

But then there is acting. Post Phantom Rossum’s movie career took a little bit of a creditable hit as she appeared in some BAD movies. To be fair to Rossum, no actor in the history of humans could have acted well in Dragonball: Evolution, just pick a good actor and imagine them in that movie and they would seem bad. Rossum got some credit back as Fiona in the Showtime show Shameless which I haven’t seen but I saw her in a clip from it and she was good in it.

However like I have said Esmeralda isn’t a technically demanding role but there is some contradictions that a good Esmeralda should keep in balance as she must be sensual while maintaining innocence, she also should have be natural and celestial. Rossum’s role as Christine Daae is a good lead in to these dualities so I think Rossum could handle the role on the acting front.

Emmy Rossum

I think in the same way as I felt about Taylor Swift for the role as Fleur-de-Lys, Emmy Rossum wouldn’t be not my first choice for the role as Esmeralda but if were to happen if wouldn’t be the worst casting.
Actually I kind want Rossum to play Esmerada to Swift’s Fluer-de-Lys. Can we at least get them to sing Beau Comme le Soleil or Shining like the sun as it’s called in English? This is either a great idea or a terrible idea but I want to see it.

Anyway Yay or Nay on Emmy Rossum for Esmeralda from Notre Dame de Paris as like for a movie?

10Feb 2015

Esmeralda of Notre Dame de Paris; Mysterious, Semi-Non-Dancing Beauty

by jess

Helene Segara singing Ave Maria Paien in Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Helene Segara singing Ave Maria Paien in Notre Dame de Paris

Esmeralda’s personality really comes down to which version of Notre Dame de Paris you’re watching. In all likelihood I will talk about how the role as changed over time and the other actresses but for this post we’re just going to focus on the original.

Esmeralda Helene Segara Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda

Now if you want to get super really technical, and you know I do, the Original Esmeralda and her personality sort of doesn’t exist. Esmeralda was originally going to play by Noa, an Israeli-American singer but she dropped out but she did record on the concept album. So we don’t know how Noa would have played the role. After Noa dropped out Helene Segara took over the role. Segara is a French singer and she had originally audition for the part. So this post is going for Segara’s version of Esmeralda.

Esmeralda Helene Segara Bohemienne Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda

Without getting too much in Segara’s voice (because later posts), Segara uses a low, somewhat rough, sultry tone to her voice which she uses for the character. This gives Esmeralda a mysterious quality as she doesn’t know her what her life will bring and she comfortable in that. She’s also confident. She doesn’t seem afraid of Frollo as she just spits at him and tries to call him out nor that wide-eye about Phoebus when she first meets him but does get dreamy about him after he wants to meet up with her again. She does confess to being afraid of Quasimodo but she does get over that quickly and Esmeralda and Quasimodo do form a strong friendship as Quasimodo offers her protection.

Esmeralda praying Esmeralda Helene Segara Ave Maria Paien Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda praying

One of the core facets of her personality is that she doesn’t like boarders or distinctions of race, nationality or religion. She also doesn’t have must faith in authority. This speaks to her upbringing of traveling from place to place but it gives Esmeralda a new dimension to her personality.

Esmeralda kind of Dancing Esmeralda Helene Segara Bohemienne Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda kind of Dancing

There is a trade off to Segara’s Esmeralda that people are quick to mention. Esmeralda in this version isn’t really a dancer, outside of a few twirls Segara doesn’t really do many dance steps. Also Esmeralda’s winsome innocent is not really found in this version. Instead she comes off as more mature.

I will be first to say that I have dismissed other Esmeraldas for this but with this Esmeralda I’m more forgiving. Why? Favoritism, I just like this musical but seriously it’s because it’s a stage show, they are singing live. I prefer a singer for a singing role. As much as dancing means to her character I don’t find dancing to be the end all be end all of a good Esmeralda plus in the book, her singing was more charming than her dancing.

Would it have been better if she had tried to dance more? Maybe but not so much at the cost of the singing or a natural moment to character. I have seen pictures where it looks like Segara is dancing a bit more and maybe it was for the cameras that she isn’t, I don’t know, just a guess, the pictures are in the booklet that comes with the DVD. Though there is A LOT of lines that are about her dancing, like a ton so it’s a legit issue that she doesn’t really dance.

Esmeralda Helene Segara Belle Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda

Aside from Esmeralda’s philosophies there isn’t must too new about her in this version other than her playing up her mystery more. I would say it a good solid version of the character for a musical. She reminds me of a combination of the 1939 Esmeralda and the 1956 version.

Next Time Frollo

And just so people are clear, I’m covering the characters as they are listed on the back of the DVD. And I’m sorry for the pictures, my rip of the DVD is not that great which makes me sad as I had a better rip of it when I made a little music video but I lost it or deleted it or something.

04Feb 2015

Stephanie Bedard as Esmeralda

by jess

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Sd4IVZJHI&spfreload=10

What the hell is happening to Esmeralda’s costume? It just keeps getting shorter and shorter. It just looks awkward at that length. What is weird is Myriam Brousseau’s costume has a straight hemline and is shorter than most Esmeralda costumes and looks awkward too. No like.

The sound quality is really bad so I don’t want to blame Bedard but I can’t help but feel she is not one my favorite Esmeraldas, she just seems mechanical in her movements but at least she is acting happy.

03Feb 2015

Notre Dame de Paris vs The Novel

by jess

Esmeralda and Quasimodo in Notre Dame

Notre Dame de Paris is often praised for being accurate to the novel but there are A LOT of differences.

Esmeralda

The biggest one is no Djali, I mean how could they? But in all seriousness, Esmeralda is in this version is a full-fledge Gypsy who at one point in her life knew her mother. As we have seen in other versions, Esmeralda being a Gypsy is the norm over her backstory in the novel where she is the daughter of French woman and stolen, so it’s not big changes considering the film/adaptation history of the character.

Esmeralda and Clopin

Clopin also serves as not only the leader of the Gypsies and thieves but as a father figure to Esmeralda, as her mother entrusted Esmeralda to him when she died. Clopin himself is different than other versions as he care for the blight and safety of his people more than previous versions of the character.

Quasimodo and Esmeralda

The show opts to start with introducing characters and not the Feast of Fools, except for Quasimodo who appears during that Feast of Fools number. It’s a little unclear if Quasimodo had seen Esmeralda before or if he first saw when she crowned him as the Pope but he does take a liking to her when he is crowned and not when she gave him water.

Esmeralda and Quasimodo in Notre Dame

Quasimodo also brings Esmeralda into Notre Dame and offers it to her as a home. Esmeralda has gone into Notre Dame a few times before prior to Quasimodo saving her in different versions but it is the first time Quasimodo invites her in, usually she goes in for another reasons mainly to escape guards. Though in the 1923 version it was to met Phoebus.

Phoebus and Esmeralda

Speaking of meeting Phoebus, who liked that segue, Esmeralda and Phoebus arrange to met at a brothel called the Cabaret de Val d’amour whereas in the book they meet a tavern/inn/house called Pomme d’eve. However there is actually a Val d’amour in the book, it is a brothel that Frollo’s brother Jehan frequents.

It just weird that Phoebus would meet a girl, who not 2 seconds before turned him down, at a brothel. Oh well, it’s suppose to make him look sleazy.

Esmeralda on Trial with Frollo

The biggest and most glaring of the differences comes in the second act. First off, Frollo handles Esmeralda’s trail and torture. I would venture a guess that the reason for this is more practical than artistic as they would have needed another singer.

Frollo makes sense to fill this role but it’s just weird. Though and I forgot where I heard it but when Esmeralda confesses she just says something like “I love him, I confess,” and Frollo orders the torture to stop, somewhere Daniel Lavoie (Frollo’s original actor) said that it’s because Frollo loved Esmeralda that what she said was deemed enough. So there ya go.

Esmeralda and Frollo

Also scenes that occur in Notre Dame after Esmeralda is brought there do not happen. The Port de Rouge scene and the scene where Frollo gives Esmeralda the final ultimatum are merged into the Jail scene, which is fine, they blended nicely together.

Also Frollo just likes science in general and not just alchemy which is just minor change and a nitpick.

Quasimodo freeing Esmeralda

Another BIG difference is Quasimodo saving Esmerlada, Clopin and the rest of the Court of Miracles. Everyone knows that Quasimodo descends from Notre Dame, saves Esmeralda and proclaims sanctuary while holding her aloft but not here.

In fact Quasimodo never says Sanctuary. He claims freedom for her but he never says “Sanctuary.” The closest is Clopin says “Asile” which can means sanctuary although is closer to asylum. And I’m now resisting making a Asylum Films joke.

Also Quaismodo is no where to be seen when the attack on Notre Dame is occurs. It really seems to be Clopin who is defending the cathedral and not Quasimodo, which just wrong.

Esmeralda about to be hung

Phoebus is there though and he is the one who proclaims Esmeralda’s death sentence as it’s what his fiancee wants. It a like more of a twist of the knife as Esmeralda was still in love with Phoebus when he passed judgment on her although that did not happen in the book but it makes for good drama.

Fleur-de-Lys and Phoebus

Lately and this is a good change, Phoebusâ€˜ fiancee, Fleur-de-Lys has a must more of a fleshed-out character. In the book we know she loves Phoebus and jealous of Esmeralda but not too much more.

Here we see more of her inner workings. She knows Phoebus spouts lies and she was ok with that till Esmeralda came along. Unlike the novel where Esmeralda was only meant to be a one night thing for Phoebus, here Phoebus wanted to balance them out. This makes Fleur-de-Lys go a little crazy and pending on what version you watch, she either wishes for Phoebus to ensure Esmeralda’s death or demands it of him. It’s just nice to see the character have a little bit going for her than nothing.

I’m sure there are many more difference but those are the core ones.

Next Time – Esmeralda

Helene Segara singing Ave Maria Paien in Notre Dame de Paris

27Jan 2015

Notre Dame de Paris Plot- Big on Emotion, Weak on Story

by jess

Garou Helene Segara Quasimodo and Esmeralda Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Quasimodo and Esmeralda

One of Notre Dame de Paris’ core weaknesses is the way it presents the story. The narrative is very patchy and filled with a lot little gaps. To really understand what is happening you have to know that story before going into it.

garou Bruno Pelletier Gringoire spotting Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Gringoire spotting Quasimodo during the Feast of Fools

For instance it takes seven songs for the story to get to the beginning of the book. Before that it’s all set-up plus a few lines that marginally tell us about the characters. But seven songs for the Feast of Fools to start. And the plot kind of trots at weird pace, giving us the bare minimum to get to the plot points

However the larger point of the musical isn’t so much to tell the story of Hunchback, as I suspect the creators were under the impression that the audience already knew the story prior to seeing it but the to tell the emotions of the story which the musical does very well. The emotions in this musical are like that of The Phantom of the Opera, over-the-top, I still get misty eyed during “Danse Mon Esmeralda.” Does that excuse the musical for some of its jarring weirdness?

Luc Merville Clopin and the Court of miracles and the Attack of Notre Dame Notre Dame de Paris picture image — Clopin and the Court of miracles and the Attack of Notre Dame

Nope. I don’t care how emotional effective the songs are, so many of the transitions from emotion to pivotal story points are down right jarring. For instance to get from Phoebus’ song, “Dechire,” when he sings about two ladies wanting him to Quasimodo’s punishment we have the bridge song “Anarkia” which is 42 seconds to explain Gringoire being married, the word “Ankaria” and then OMG look it’s Quasimodo, let’s go check that out. Or how about going from the lovely song where Esmeralda sings about wanting to live to BAM attack on Notre Dame. And for the record Notre Dame de Paris sports a very sloppy hastily done attack scene. First off Quasimodo is not around, Frollo can just ends sanctuary and I’m unclear if Clopin and the court of miracles are defending Notre Dame or attacking it.

Despite the narrative weakness, Notre Dame de Paris is faithful in some ways to the book. For instant the fate of the characters is all on point and this is the best portrayal of Frollo in any version outside the book, even better than the opera that Hugo himself wrote the lyrics to.

It is easy to over look the weak story telling of Notre Dame de Paris because you do get lost in the big emotions. Does that make it ok? No, but thank goodness the musical is so powerful, that is its very mighty strength.

Next Time – Differences between the book and the musical

Helene Segara as Esmeralda and Daniel Lavoie as Frollo NOtre Dame de Paris picture image — Esmeralda and Frollo

21Jan 2015

Horoscope 1/21/15

by jess

Today’s mystical horoscope comes from the French Lyrics of Notre Dame de Paris.

“Jusqu’Ã la fin des temps,”

I don’t know what it means, I don’t speak French.

(Means “Until the end of time”)

20Jan 2015

The Plot of Notre Dame de Paris

by jess

Would you believe this is like at least the second time I have written a synopsis of the plot of Notre Dame de Paris ( here)? Also this is a synopsis of the original French product. In 2001 the show had some changes. I will at some point talk about the different casts (to the best of my ability) but for now the original French is the default since it’s most convenient version I can review.

Helene Segara as Esmeralda and Patrick Fiori as Phoebus Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Esmeralda and Phoebus Notre Dame de Paris

Act 1
The show opens with Gringoire, the story teller, as he regals the crowd with cathedrals and their important to the world and their demise from importance as books in stone and glass. The scene then shifts to Clopin and his group of refugees who want sanctuary in Notre Dame. His pleads fall on deaf hears as Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame who orders the captain of the King’s Archer, Phoebus to arrest them. Phoebus corners pretty Gypsy lady. Phoebus is instantly attracted to her and ask her about herself. She tells him that she is a bohemian and her parents are gone but she dreams of returning to Andalusia someday though her fate is already determined. Clopin, her care giver then warns her that she is grown now and to be wary of men. We are then introduced to Phoebusâ€˜ fiancee, Fleur de Lys who is fourteen and is quite smitten with the dashing captain.

Quasimodo as the Pope of Fools

The Feast of Fools begins with Gringoire leading the revelry. Quasimodo then pokes his head out from the cathedral and is crown the Pope of Fools by Esmeralda. Quasimodo then asks the crowd, especially Esmeralda if she will love him, but she doesn’t really care. Quasimodo curses his parents that abandoned him. Frollo then breaks up the fun and calls out Esmeralda for being a witch and evil. Froll then decides that they will kidnap her. Quasimodo tells Frollo that he will do anything for Frollo since he took Quasimodo in and gave him the bells. But despite that he doesn’t know Frollo’s heart but he belongs to Frollo and loves him as dog loves his master.

Juie Zenatti as Fleur de Lys & Helene Segara as Esmeralda, Notre Dame de Paris Original Cast, picture image

Fleur de Lys & Esmeralda

Gringoire tries to follow Esmeralda after the feast but lost her. He then tells us that nighttime in Paris is a dangerous and lustful place. Quasimodo then set out to Kidnap Esmeralda as she warms herself but he stopped by Phoebus. Phoebus offers to take Esmeralda outside the city to where the other Gypsy live and he sort of puts the moves on her. Esmeralda tells him that she isn’t that sort of girl however when her asks to meet her the following night at Val d’Amour (a brothel) she does not say no. We then are thrown in to the Court of Miracles where the vagrants live and Clopin rules a world with no heaven, no hell, no country, no creed. Gringoire wanders in and going to hang but Esmeralda marries him to save. Gringoire is all for this match but Esmeralda asks what Phoebus means and that it the name of the man she loves. Gringoire tells her it means the sun. Esmeralda likes this name and entertains girly ideas about what kind of man he is while Fleur de Lys knows him a little more. Phoebus then tells us that two women love him and this the bestest thing ever as he figures he can have both and it will be awesome.

Frollo and Esmeralda

The next day, Frollo and Gringoire meet and Frollo find out that Gringoire and Esmeralda are married which is disapproves of and tells Grngoire that he must not touch his wife but I mean really want husband would really want to touch his wife. Gringoire shows Frollo the work Ankaria which engraved on the wall and asks what it means. Frollo tells him it means fate. They then see Quasimodo being taking away. (That songs last for 42 seconds). Quasimodo tries to a pillory and asks for a drop of water. Esmeralda gives him some and he calls her beautiful. Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus then tell us about their own desires for Esmeralda. After the crowd clears, Quasimodo invites Esmeralda in to Notre Dame and tells her she can be save their and it can be her home. Esmeralda then prays to Mary for protections against the people in power and the fools of the world as Frollo watches her and becomes more bewitched by her and knows she will destroy him and he is ok with that.

Gringoire Val d'amour Notre dame de Paris picture image

Gringoire at Val d’amour

Frollo follows Phoebus to Val d’Amour and tries to scare him away but Val d’amour is way too sexy and Phoebus meets with Esmeralda for a night of loving. They don’t make it very far when Frollo stabs Phoebus, such is fate.

Act II

Quasimodo with a bell

Frollo and Phoebus meet again and regal us with the changing world and how the snazzy new printing press with destroy architecture. They hear silence as the bells or Notre Dame no longer ring. Quasimodo is sad because he rings the bell for everyday and for everyone except himself and he wants to hear the bell ring out his love for Esmeralda. Esmeralda is also missing and Gringoire, Frollo and Clopin mourn her absence. Frollo asks where she has gone but Gringoire doesn’t tell him but tells Clopin that she has been arrested and will be hanged.

Esmeralda in jail

Esmerlada in jail asks for Quasimodo to save her. Quasimodo is also missing her as they share a strong bond. Clopin then tries to recuse Esmeralda but is arrested himself. Esmeralda is put on trail but Frollo for wounding Phoebus. She then tortured and confesses to loving Phoebus which seems to be enough to condemn her to death. Esmerada then wishes Phoebus would save and take her to Andalusia while Frollo laments about being a priest and loving a woman.

Fleur de Lys

Fleur de Lys is at her wit’s end and is feud up with Phoebus’ cheating but she is whiling to forget it if Phoebus can ensure Esmeralda’s death, which is going to happen anyway so Phoebus agrees and claims that Esmeralda bewitched him anyway but he is ready to be 100% faithful.

Helene Segara as Esmerada & Daniel Lavoie as Frollo, un matin tu dansais from Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Esmerada & Frollo

The bells ring in the early morning as Frollo informs Esmeralda that in an hour she will die. She asks what she did to him to make him hate her but he confesses that he Loves her and gives her an ultimatum, the grave or Frollo’s bed. Esmeralda rejects him but Frollo tries to force himself on her. Just then Clopin saves Esmeralda as Quasimodo released everyone.

Gingoire lune Notre Dame de Paris picture image

Gingoire and the moon

Quasimodo takes Esmeralda, and I guess the rest of the Court of Miracles. Gringoire then regales the audience and the moon with how consuming the power of love can be. Quasimodo gives Esmeralda a whistle and tells her not to leave Notre Dame. As Esmeralda drifts off to sleep, Quasimodo laments that God made the world wrong as Esmeralda will never love him but loves Phoebus. Esmeralda wakes up and tells us how she doesn’t want to die but she wants to live. She wants to live for love.

Esmeralda and Clopin

Clopin claims sanctuary but Frollo orders right if sanctuary broke Phoebus to expel them from Notre Dame. Clopin is killed and Esmeralda rushes to him but is recaptures and sent to the gallows, which pleases Fleur de Lys. Quasimodo begs Frollo to save Esmeralda but he refuses as she rejects him. As she hanged Frollo laughs and Quasimodo kills Frollo and then demands Esmeralda be returned to him.

Quasimodo with Esmeralda

Quasimodo holds Esmeralda’s body and begs her to dance for one final time and vows that in death they will be united in the universe.

Don’t you just feel happier now?

Next Time more on the Plot

Belle

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Tag Archives: Notre Dame De Paris

Quasimodo of Notre Dame de Paris; Love him Damn it

Gringoire of Notre Dame de Paris; When you get the best songs you don’t need a character

Frollo of Notre Dame de Paris; Richly Pathetic

Hypothetical Casting; Emmy Rossum as Esmeralda

Esmeralda of Notre Dame de Paris; Mysterious, Semi-Non-Dancing Beauty

Stephanie Bedard as Esmeralda

Notre Dame de Paris vs The Novel

Notre Dame de Paris Plot- Big on Emotion, Weak on Story

Horoscope 1/21/15

The Plot of Notre Dame de Paris

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