Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has inspired many artistic works, including its first ballet adaptation by Jules Perrot in 1844 in London. The Latvian National Ballet presented its first performance in 1939, choreographed by Osvalds Lēmanis. This new production, created by Aivars Leimanis, is the fourth staging of this romantic story in Latvian ballet. The medieval setting is brought to life with scenography by Mārtiņš Vilkārsis and costumes by Ilze Vītoliņa. The ballet unfolds a simple yet powerful story of love and death: Claude Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre Dame, desires Esmeralda, who in turn is drawn to Captain Phoebus, while Quasimodo quietly loves her. Driven by jealousy, Frollo wounds Phoebus and Esmeralda is blamed, facing a death sentence. Quasimodo remains devoted to Esmeralda until the end of his days.
Latvijas Nacionālā opera un balets