I'm a great music lover and musicals are among my favorites movies. I've seen as many musicals and musical comedies as I could, but Notre-Dame de Paris is still the best so far. All the singers involved have extraordinary voices and good acting talent, the dancers have been so carefully chosen that their performance simply amazes you.
Richard Cocciante's music is simply divine and unique. Although a great music writer (see also Le roi soleil) and singer himself, Notre-Dame de Paris is the greatest success of his life. The story generally follows the plot Victor Hugo established in his famous novel with some very witty modifications operated by Plamondon. The words are so artfully chosen that one can simply transfer back to Hugo's epoch and relive the story despite the fact that it now takes place on a mere stage. This is the reason why I think this great musical is generally more valued by French speakers or at least with some knowledge of French.
As about the cast: Garou is just perfect for the part of Quasimodo (unforgettable and unique voice), Patrick Fiori and Julie Zenatti- two young beautiful voices to become huge stars of the French musical scene, Daniel Lavoie (just perfect for Frollo's part, human and malicious at the same time- Frollo I mean!!!),Helene Segara as a suave,elegant and refined gypsy girl- far more appropriate than the Italian or English Esmeraldas (although well-known singers such as Tina Arena played in the English version of Notre-Dame), and last, but not least, Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire, one of the most beautiful and powerful voices ever. I wonder... does this man ever breathe?
Just watch this video (or go and see it in Paris if you have the chance; I'll certainly go as soon as I can) and I assure you that you will listen or watch it all over again (especially Belle, which is my favorite song ever).
And one more thing: my husband has always hated French language. The moment he saw Notre-Dame de Paris has started learning it.
