I don't think it deserves to be as forgotten as it has been. While it doesn't hold the candle to the original book thanks in part to some questionable artistic licensing, as well as local censorship, it does have its moments. Frollo's monologue and Quasimodo's aria are the highlights. They are the highlights because they show the characters as characters instead of cardboard cutouts made to move the plot along.
The original libretto is in the public domain, but because La Esmeralda is so rarely preformed, it's extremely difficult to find it print. Finding it online is a bit easier, but even then, most versions are going to be in French.The only English translation I could find was in a collection of Hugo's dramatic works. The translation there is a bit spotty, but it was the best I could find.
La Esmeralda was forgotten shortly after closings. On the rare occasion that it was revived, it was often very abridged. In honor of Victor Hugo's 200th birthday the opera was preformed at the Théâtre-Opéra in Besançon with a piano accompaniment. It is really weird to see.
It had some influence on early adaptations to some degree, with Phoebus being a hero and Frollo teaming up with Clopin to develop an evil scheme (A strange subplot witch had so little impact I chose not to include it in my summery).
It's interesting to note that La Esmeralda was referenced in the 1956 film adaptation of the story. An old beggar woman sings a portion of the opera as Esmeralda is prepared for the execution. It's a cute little homage.
It's interesting to note that La Esmeralda was referenced in the 1956 film adaptation of the story. An old beggar woman sings a portion of the opera as Esmeralda is prepared for the execution. It's a cute little homage.
I think the problem, ultimately, is with expectation. Would the general audiences of 1836 want to accept a person with physical disabilities as a hero? Would they want to see -God forbid- a clergymen as a villain, and a villain that we are meant to sympathize with? Would they accept the handsome cavalier as an antagonistic type? This may be speculation on my part, I will admit, but consider it.
For such an early adaptation, it's not bad, but it leaves a lot to be desired. And considering the talent behind it, it really should have been a lot better.
No comments:
Post a Comment