Origins and History
The ballet Esmeralda premiered in 1844 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, choreographed by Jules Perrot to music by Cesare Pugni. The ballet was based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel "Notre-Dame de Paris," though it significantly altered the tragic ending of the original story to create a happier conclusion more suited to the romantic ballet tradition of the time.
The creation of the ballet reflected the 19th century's fascination with Gothic romance and medieval settings. Perrot developed the choreography specifically for the talents of Carlotta Grisi, who created the role of Esmeralda. The ballet represented a perfect vehicle for the romantic ballet style, with its blend of dramatic acting, intricate pointe work, and character dance.
The Story
Act I
The ballet opens in the square before Notre-Dame Cathedral in medieval Paris. Esmeralda, a young Romani dancer, performs for the crowd with her tambourine and her pet goat, Djali. Her dancing attracts the attention of several key characters: Claude Frollo, the austere archdeacon of Notre-Dame, who becomes immediately obsessed with her; Quasimodo, the cathedral's bell-ringer; and Pierre Gringoire, a struggling poet and philosopher.
As the crowd disperses, Gringoire attempts to follow Esmeralda but finds himself in danger when he inadvertently wanders into the Court of Miracles, a gathering place for the city's beggars and outcasts. According to their laws, any intruder must be hanged unless a Romani woman agrees to marry him. Esmeralda, taking pity on Gringoire, agrees to a marriage of convenience to save his life, though she makes it clear that this is merely a formality.
Act II
The second act begins with Frollo plotting to kidnap Esmeralda, using Quasimodo as his unwitting accomplice. During an attempted abduction, Phoebus, the captain of the guards, rescues Esmeralda. Unlike in Hugo's novel, Phoebus serves primarily as a protector figure rather than a romantic interest. Meanwhile, Gringoire begins to develop genuine feelings for Esmeralda, who gradually responds to his sincere affection and poetic nature.
A grand pas de deux between Esmeralda and Gringoire marks their growing emotional connection. This dance sequence typically includes the famous tambourine variation, where Esmeralda's technical brilliance and character interpretation shine through.
Act III
Frollo's obsession with Esmeralda intensifies. When she rejects his advances, he becomes determined to destroy her. He manipulates events to have her accused of witchcraft, particularly using her trained goat's tricks as evidence of supernatural dealings. Esmeralda is arrested and imprisoned in Notre-Dame, awaiting execution.
Gringoire, now deeply in love with Esmeralda, works to prove her innocence. Quasimodo, who has also developed a protective affection for Esmeralda, helps them despite his loyalty to Frollo. This act often features a dramatic solo for Frollo, expressing his internal conflict between his religious devotion and his forbidden desire.
Act IV
The final act takes place both inside Notre-Dame and in the square before it. Gringoire manages to reveal Frollo's plot, while Quasimodo protects Esmeralda from his master's increasingly desperate attempts to either possess or destroy her. Unlike Hugo's novel, where Esmeralda dies and Quasimodo throws Frollo from the cathedral tower, the ballet ends with Esmeralda's name being cleared.
The finale typically features a triumphant pas de deux between Esmeralda and Gringoire, celebrating their now genuine love and her freedom. The ballet concludes with a general celebration, often incorporating character dances for the ensemble and a grand coda for the principal dancers.
Key Choreographic Elements
Throughout the ballet, several notable dance sequences stand out:
- Esmeralda's opening tambourine dance, establishing her character's vibrancy and skill
- The wedding scene in the Court of Miracles, featuring character dances and dramatic pantomime
- Multiple pas de deux between Esmeralda and Gringoire showing their developing relationship
- Frollo's dramatic solos expressing his inner turmoil
- Quasimodo's character dances, which combine grotesque movement with surprising grace
- The triumphant final pas de deux and celebration
The ballet's choreography particularly emphasizes the contrast between classical ballet technique and character dance, using this juxtaposition to highlight the social divisions between characters. Esmeralda's choreography combines classical ballet with elements of character dance, reflecting her position between different worlds, while Frollo's movements are more rigid and dramatic, emphasizing his internal conflict.
Musical Composition
Pugni's score incorporates both dramatic orchestral passages and lighter, more folk-influenced themes that accompany the character dances. The music for Esmeralda's variations, particularly the tambourine dance, has become a standard piece in the classical ballet repertoire.
Impact and Legacy
Esmeralda has had a lasting influence on classical ballet in several ways. First, it helped establish the dramatic possibilities of narrative ballet, showing how complex literary sources could be adapted for dance while maintaining their emotional impact. The ballet demonstrated how character development could be achieved through movement and pantomime.
Second, the role of Esmeralda became a technical benchmark for ballerinas, requiring a combination of strong classical technique, dramatic ability, and character dancing skills. The tambourine variation in particular has become a standard piece for competitions and galas.
The ballet also influenced the development of character dance within classical ballet, incorporating folk dance elements and character-specific movement vocabularies. This integration of character dance with classical technique became a hallmark of 19th-century ballet.
While the complete ballet is rarely performed today, excerpts - particularly Esmeralda's variations - remain popular in performances and competitions. Various companies have mounted reconstructions and new productions over the years, often with different interpretations of the story and choreography.
Historically, Esmeralda helped establish London as a significant center for ballet in the 19th century, contributing to the city's growing importance in the international ballet scene. The ballet's success also helped solidify the careers of its creators, particularly Perrot and Pugni, who went on to create many more works together.