ESMERALDA THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD OF PARIS

Musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo and music by Riccardo Cochante
Libretto Luc Plamondon
Orchestration for large symphony orchestra and rock band Ludmil Gorchev

Conductor Vladimir Boshnakov
Director Violeta Gorcheva
Set and costume designer Denis Ivanov
Choreography Mario Piazza
Assistant choreographer Ludovic Parti
Poetic translation Yordan Peev
Choirmaster Mladen Stanev
Concertmaster Paulina Zaharieva

Esmeralda - Michaela Fileva
Frollo - Denis Ivanov
Gringoire - Nikolai Motov
Quasimodo - Boris Taskov
Febus /Feb/ - Bogomil Spirov
Clopin - Alexander Panayotov
Fleur de Lis - Gergana Nikolaeva
Ballet, Orchestra, Choir and DUSOB of the State Opera-Stara Zagora
Pre-Bulgarian Survival School Baga-Tur

The author, Ricardo Cochante, was inspired by the great work of the same name by Victor Hugo. The music is schlagic, dramatic in places, but very melodic." The montage cinematic principle leads the production, with the abrupt and contrasting transitions, the extreme scenes dramaturgically set and supported by the laconic nature of the musical form. The choir, which is the protagonist, is present as a metaphor of the Cathedral, of Destiny, of Providence and the Higher Mind" - says director Violeta Gorcheva.
According to choreographer Mario Piazza, "This work is an anthem of diversity, a denunciation of indifference to the suffering of people, a cry that exposes the suffering of those who consider themselves different from a society that has forgotten the very meaning of humanity, a work that speaks of love."
"The only elements that directly illustrate the church are a large image of the mourning Madonna, a magnificent and infinitely expressive statue of the Virgin Mary from the Cathedral of Barcelona / The Burial of Christ by Josep Limón y Bruguera (1864-1934), created in 1920. It creates a sense of empathy with the characters in the performance. The other real element is the three bells that symbolically mark the tower of Quasimodo and his abode. The costumes are contemporary, with no engaging specificity in period or style, just sometime in the 20th century. The characters' personalities and their social individuality and specificity are brought to the fore, as is the colouring," adds artist Denis Ivanov.

Performed in Bulgarian.
Running time 2 hrs 30 min. with one intermission
Premiere: 30 June /Thursday/ 2022, 21.00, stage Antique Forum Augusta Traiana