Notre Dame de Paris: The Breathtaking Musical
Esmerelda is back and she's better than ever. 18 years after its original launch in Paris, the musical "Notre Dame de Paris" has returned to the city of lights. The show delivers the same memorable songs and spirit while boasting a brand new exciting cast. The show debuted in Paris on Nov. 23 at Le Palais des Congrès de Paris and will remain till the first week of January before it tours throughout France.
Image Credit: Notre Dame de Spectacle
As an important competent in the French artistic canon, this beloved musical's triumphant return is no surprise. This historical musical is based upon the 1831 novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by French novelist Victor Hugo. The music was composed by Riccardo Cocciante and the lyrics are by Luc Plamondon. Since its debut, it has been professionally played in Belgium, Canada, China, France, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. It has been translated into seven languages (English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Flemish and Polish). According to the Guinness Book of Records, "Notre Dame de Paris" had the most successful first year of any musical ever.
The musical details a beautifully complex love story. The ugly hunchback Quasimodo is secretly in love with beautiful bohemian Esmeralda; but she loves Phoebus, the fiancé of Fleur-de-Lys, a wealthy socialite. Frollo, the priest of Notre-Dame cathedral, feels like he is losing control while having violent desires for Esmeralda. But no more spoilers, go watch it!
Image Credit: Notre Dame de Spectacle
In previous versions of this musical, the Canadian singer Garou played the role of Quasimodo and the French singer Helene Segara has incarnated Esmeralda. This time, mostly all the cast has changed. The new Esmeralda is Hiba Tawaji, a renowned singer from Lebanon. The Peacock Plume had the chance to meet Tawaji a few days before the launching of the musical.
“Belle is the only word I know that suits her well," Tawaji said. This is also how she is described in the songs itself.
The producers of the musical discovered Tawaji after her participation in the French version of The Voice. Friends were calling them saying, “you have your Esmeralda.” This is mainly because Tawaji mixes both the orient and occident and fits well in the role of the bohemian Esmerelda.
‘I am super excited for this new trip," Tawaji said. "It is huge. We are rehearsing 10 hours a day but it is worth it."
Tawaji seems really happy to realize this dream. She tells Peacock that when she was 13, she used to watch the musical on her DVD player in her tiny room in Beirut. Now she cannot believe what happened. She is the new Esmeralda.
Image Credit: Notre Dame de Spectacle
For tickets to the perfect chef d’oeuvre, and for more information, visit Notre Dame de Spectacle's website.
