Another Victor Hugo classic on the stage. First Les Miserable and now this. Quite a sensation. When I went to France, I was really glad that I got a chance to see the French version of Notre Dame de Paris, yet I didn't understand the words or why my cousins sitting next to me were crying the eyes out (I did understand the story, but without the lyrics, it is not enough to bring tears in my eyes.). Being able to listen to the English version brought me the understanding of how my relatives were overcome with tears.

This musical is not very well known in the United States, yet has been performed at the PARIS hotel in Las Vegas. My parents had a chance to go to that hotel, but it was after closing night.

The story is that of the famous Hunchback of Notre Dame. Played by Garou (A Canadian Singer), this recording portrays the hunchback as a "monster" with a good and rightuous heart. Falling in love with the damsel Esmeralda (played by Tina Arena), he, Pheobus (Steve Balsamo), and the priest Frollo (Daniel Lavoie, also a Canadian singer) try to earn the heart of the maiden. However, Pheobus is engaged with a girl named Fluer-de-lys (Natasha St-Pierre) and Frollo already married to God. This version of the tale is narrated by a character named Gringoire (Bruno Pelletier, another Canadian singer), and amidst the story are the refugees that are headed by a person named Clopin (Luck Mervile, Canadian) which complicates the story even more.

NOTE: Most of the Canadian Singers are mainly French singers. That is most likely why the lyrics are simple. They all can be found in the Original Paris Cast Recording as well.

The songs in this recording are exceptional. For the Celine Dion fans out there, the first song in this recording is sung by her. I personally don't care for her voice (many think that I am crazy), but it is a really well written song and is also sung by Arena as part of the real recording. An extra treat for Dion fans. All the songs scores are straight from the French recording and sung in the same fashion. The songs are composed similar to Les Miserable and really catchy and easy to listen to. Personally my favorite songs would have to be "Age of the Cathedrals" (Pelletier), "Belle" (Garou, Lavoie, Balsamo Trio), "My Heart If You Will Swear" (St-Pierre), and "Dance My Esmeralda" (Garou). Most of the songs are sung with exceptional talent and emotion. All are really powerful.

I personally didn't care for Lavoie and Balsamo's work on this album. Their singing isn't anything exceptional, and I have heard Lavoie do better. Balsamo doesn't put as much emotion into his singing other Pheobuses I have heard. Also, people may think that Garou's voice is a little too raspy, and those of you who don't like really raspy voices, I would tell you to skip some of these tracks. However, I think that the raspiness gives the character more of the monster feel, and you will really think that you are listening to a real Quasimodo instead of the clear-cut voice in Disney's cartoon production. I thought that was very wrong and fake.

If you ever get to go see the musical, you will notice that in some of the places were there is a lot chorus singing and up-beat tempo is going on, there is a lot of great dancing and cheoreography being showed. The stage presentation is not going to be portrayed very well in the recorded version (that is a duh), so as any other musical, I would suggest people see the stage performance as well.

The story is pretty much complete, as others have told me. I haven't read Victor Hugo's book yet, but I can tell you that the ending in this musical play is completely that of Disney's. You'd be surprised at how deep these lyrics go. WARNING: Lyrics can be pretty harsh.

Personally I like the sound of the French recording better than this, but I understand the words in this version. The singing is great, the story is great, the song is great, what can I say? Another Victor Hugo musical success?

Recommended: Yes