Notre Dame de Paris (2000 Studio Cast) [Epic] [Cast Recording]

Garou (Artist), Richard Cocciante (Artist), Luc Plamondon (Artist), Tina Arena (Artist), Celine Dion (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004HYKW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,354 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With the British in a bit of a dry spell in the late 1990s, it's fallen to the French to produce Europe's pop-rock blockbuster musicals. Following in the footsteps of the Boublil-Schönberg spectacles is Notre-Dame de Paris, which opened in its title city in September 1998, toured through France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, and produced two top-selling albums. This take on Victor Hugo's classic novel features music by Richard Cocciante and lyrics by Luc Plamondon (Starmania), translated into English by Will Jennings ("My Heart Will Go On," "Up Where We Belong"), and tells a tragic tale of love and lust among Quasimodo (the raspy-voiced but effective Garou), the gypsy woman Esmeralda (Australian pop singer Tina Arena, whose timbre might remind you of Lea Salonga), the priest Frollo (Canadian Daniel Lavoie), the dashing captain Phoebus (Steve Balsamo), and his fiancée Fleur-de-Lys (Natasha St-Pierre). This talented cast (different from the one that opened in Las Vegas in January 2000) will premiere in London in May 2000 and includes numerous members from the Paris companies. Making a brief appearance is frequent Plamondon collaborator Celine Dion, whose performance of the opening track was included on her greatest hits album. This disc compiles 63 minutes of the show's appealing tunes, most notably "Live for the One I Love," "The Age of the Cathedrals," "Belle (Is the Only Word)," and "My Heart if You Will Swear"--pop-rock with a slight Gallic accent and a nod to such genre landmarks as Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess. Also included are lyrics, a brief synopsis, and color photos. Incidentally, Notre-Dame de Paris might someday find itself in competition with another developing project: Disney's latest screen-to-stage translation, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a less gritty version of the same story line. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uneven translation hurts otherwise fine NOTRE DAME, May 15, 2001

By	Hazen B Markoe (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After being a hit in both France and Canada, NOTRE DAME DE PARIS opened to less-than-rave reviews in London and Las Vegas. Listening to both the French and English versions clearly show why. The English translation tends to repeat phrases over and over in some of the songs and the tendency to be literal makes some of the songs jarring and flat. The character of Frollo is especially a victim as both his songs sound too much alike. Why sing 2 songs of your lust, when one will do? Garou is VERY effective as the tragic Quasimodo and his songs are the best of the bunch. Tina Arena makes for a solid enough Esmeralda with her version of "Live" being much better than the over-blown Celine Dion version. Overall, a decent score which needs a better translation. Recommended for fans of musicals and the Victor Hugo novel on which the show was based.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An hour of magic and passion!, March 26, 2000

By	B. Lawrence (Hilton, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This album is incredibly moving, filled with everything that one needs for an hour of sheer magic and passion. Garou is by far the pick of the bunch, his gravelly voice giving a stirring interpretation of Quasimodo. This man's talent is first class and we should hopefully hear more of him in future. Steve Balsamo is the only disappointment. The French Phoebus songs are far better with Patrick Fiori's powerful voice giving more depth to the role. Daniel Lavoie also gives an excellent rendition of Frollo. Some of the translations are a bit dubious as some of the songs lose some of their meaning in translation. Having said that there are other songs which have flourished under Will Jenning's treatment of them. I heartily endorse this CD and recommend it.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars French CD and American cast better, July 10, 2000

By	Passionate Notre Dame Fan (California) - See all my reviews

I am a real fan of Notre Dame de Paris. I've seen it in Quebec, London and Las Vegas. The French CD is astounding. The American cast (at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas) is THE BEST. And several of the performers from the French album sing on the London Cast album. HOWEVER, this album doesn't begin to capture the excitement and drama and passion of Notre Dame. GO SEE THE SHOW IN LAS VEGAS AND WAIT FOR AN AMERICAN ALBUM. The performers there are unbelievable. I can't figure what a show of this caliber is doing in Vegas. Or go see the London cast. Either show will give you a better idea of how this show should be performed in English. This album has new arrangements of the song "LIVE" sung by both Tina Arena and Celine Dion. Celine's version is powerful. Although Tina is a great singer, the arrangement on this album has backup singers singing do-wop and sounding like they escaped a cut from the "Lion King" to sing here. The original 4 Canadians from the French cast, Garou, Luck Mervil, Daniel LaVoie and Bruno Pelletier sound tired and bored here. They were directed badly. Quelle Domage. The material is so great. And Steve Balsamo and Natasha St. Pierre don't hold up in their roles, either. Lifeless performances. This highlight album only features the ballads and none of the exciting upbeat dance numbers. Sorry. I'd like this album to be great.I want it to be great. In my opinion, it's a pale imitation of the English version. I can only hope and pray for an American cast album.