Vietnamese musical version of "Notre-Dame de Paris" to be showcased

The Vietnamese musical version of the world famous novel “Notre-Dame de Paris” (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) by French novelist Victor Hugo will be put on in Ho Chi Minh City this month.

The 90-minute musical is the result of 30 years of hard work by musician Vu Huy Tien, who hopes to bring musical theater to local audiences. To put on the show, director Phan Dien, together with outstanding artists Duy Tan, Cao Minh, and Lam Phuong and singers including Thanh Hieu, Phi Son, Phan Hoang, Phuong Trinh, and Thanh Huyen have been practicing during the last year. All have worked passionately but will not receive any remuneration for their labor.

“If I composed the musical in the style of a classical opera, it would require artists to have a high level of vocal technique as well as audiences to have the ability to enjoy the work. However, classical musicals have not been received well by Vietnamese, so in my work, I put several kinds of music including jazz, blues, and pop together in order to appeal to local tastes,” musician Vu Huy Tien said about his work. “Through the story of Quasimodo and Esméralda, I want to send the message that love lasts forever no matter what time period it exists in.”

The musician also spoke of difficulties he faced while making the musical; it has been cancelled several times due to lack of money and availability of capable actors.

The Vietnamese musical version of “Notre-Dame de Paris” will be showcased on January 13 and 14 at the HCMC Conservatory of Music at 112 Nguyen Du Street in District 1.