It was one of the shows of the summer not to be missed. Carried by an impeccable cast, which includes two actors from the original troupe, Daniel Lavoie and Bruno Pelletier, the musical still enchants almost 25 years after its creation. We got to see it during the Montreal premiere at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on Tuesday.
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Could it be a gift he gave himself for his 60th birthday, which he celebrated last Sunday? Still, Bruno Pelletier seems to be enjoying the role of Gringoire like a little kid.
The still very vocal performer kicked off the show to hearty audience applause to perform the timeless Le temps des Cathédrales. The tone was set brilliantly.
Immediately afterwards, the audience was treated to one of the most effective combos for a musical with Les sans papiers. The work of Luc Plamondon and Richard Cocciante hasn’t aged a bit and is still just as powerful.
There has been a lot of talk about Bruno Pelletier’s return. Well named. The singer is in good shape in more physical scenes like La fête des fous and Le Val d’Amour.
everyone is beaming
But we quickly realize that the brilliant actor is just one among others as his minions are all super talented.
In this version of Notre Dame 2022, pretty much everyone has their little moment to shine on stage.
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
The musical has lost none of its luster, on the contrary.
Daniel Lavoie, who portrays the tortured priest Frollo, is particularly present in the first act and gives us a very intense You will destroy me, where we see all the torment of his character.
Coming to the ninth tableau of Act I: Angelo Del Vecchio’s Quasimodo is disturbingly vulnerable. Of course, one can only think of the interpretation Garou made of it in the late 1990s, but Del Vecchio need not be ashamed of his achievement. We believe in his Quasimodo.
In the first part, several titles known to the public are interpreted. The Court of Miracles, delivered by a
Clopin (Jay), perched on a giant steel girder, was very well received.
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
The two female actors Elhaida Dani (Esmeralda) and Emma Lépine (Fleur-de-Lys) also had their moments of glory, especially during their very beautiful duet on Beau comme le soleil.
Gigantic Nice
Of course we expected the gigantic Belle, one of the most important pieces of our Francophonie. And we were not disappointed. Del Vecchio, Lavoie and Gian Marco Schiaretti (Phœbus) sent the ball nicely to each other before finishing in unison, a moment that gave us goosebumps.
As I write this, the second act has only just begun. But already, if we only rely on the first part, we can say that this Notre Dame de Paris is a real success.
The show Notre Dame of Paris will be presented in Montreal through August 21. The production will then be shown in Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières until mid-September. For all appointments: notredamedeparis.ca.