The ballet La Esmeralda is a simple yet powerful tale about love and death.

The archdeacon of Notre Dame, Claude Frollo, desires the beautiful Esmeralda. However, the girl’s attention is caught by the dexterous captain Phoebus. The bellringer of the church, Quasimodo, also harbours warm feelings towards Esmeralda. Overcome by a jealous rage, Frollo wounds Phoebus though Esmeralda gets the blame, wrongfully subjected to a death penalty. Only the unfortunate Quasimodo continues to love Esmeralda with a pure heart until the end of his days.

Viktor Hugo’s famous novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Notre-Dame de Paris), has inspired countless striking works of art spanning a range of genres. The public was able to experience the story in ballet form for the first time at the 1844 production of La Esmeralda, presented by the Ballet of her Majesty's Theatre in London under Jules Perrot’s choreography. In 1939, produced by the ballet master Osvalds Lēmanis, it was performed for the first time by the Latvian National Ballet. Aivars Leimanis’s production of La Esmeralda is the fourth staging of this romantic story in the history of Latvian ballet. Mārtiņš Vilkārsis’s scenography and Ilze Vītoliņa’s costumes further evokes the medieval atmosphere.

The production also features students of the Riga Ballet School.

Synopsis

ACT I

Vagabonds, card cheats, thieves and harlots gather at the square, along with their “king”, Clopin Trouillefou. Each “subject” must give up a share of their profits to him.

Lost in thought, the poet Pierre Gringoire stumbles into the square, causing a stir. Clopin interrogates him and tests his thievery skills. Gringoire’s failure leads to a swift decision: the poet must die as an unwelcome stranger. Only a “subject” of the kingdom can save him – if one agrees to become his wife – but no volunteers come forth.

As Gringoire is dragged to the gallows, Esmeralda appears, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of her tambourine. The vagabonds adore the beautiful street performer and her dancing. Upon learning of the poet’s fate, Esmeralda agrees to save him through a formal marriage.

Claude Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre-Dame, watches in secret, having followed Esmeralda for quite some time. The priest’s eyes, ablaze with passion, startle the girl.

Esmeralda heads home, unaware that Claude Frollo is stalking her. Acting on his guardian’s orders, Quasimodo attempts to kidnap her. However, the plan fails when he is startled by the Paris night guard, led by Phœbus de Châteaupers. The guards capture Quasimodo while the archdeacon hides himself in the nick of time.

Esmeralda falls under Phœbus’s spell, captivated by his charm and manners. In truth, he is a reckless youth who seizes every opportunity to seduce beautiful women. Before departing, Phœbus presents Esmeralda with a scarf he had received from his fiancée, Fleur-de-Lys. Claude Frollo watches the entire scene, consumed not only by passion for Esmeralda but by jealous rage towards Phœbus.

The crowd mocks Quasimodo as his punishment is carried out. Only Esmeralda takes pity on the unfortunate hunchback, offering him some water to quench his thirst. This act of compassion fills Quasimodo with deep gratitude, and love begins to bloom in his heart.

ACT II

The palace celebrates the engagement of Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier and Phœbus de Châteaupers. As part of the entertainment, actors perform the mythological scene depicting the goddess Diana and the hunter Actaeon.

Afterwards, a troupe of gypsies, including Esmeralda and Gringoire, is invited to perform. Esmeralda’s dance reflects the pain that she feels upon seeing Phœbus engaged to another. However, as she loses herself in the movement, her dance becomes more dynamic. She carries the scarf which Fleur-de-Lys had given to Phœbus, sparking alarm among the guests. This revelation leads to Esmeralda and the rest of the gypsies being swiftly evicted from the palace.

Things are lively at the tavern on the outskirts of Paris, though Esmeralda is not in the mood for festivities. Claude Frollo scolds Quasimodo and the others for their lewd behaviour.

Phœbus arrives. Being on familiar terms with the inn’s proprietor, he asks her to dismiss the other guests. Alone with the handsome captain, Esmeralda listens, entranced, as he declares his love for her, allowing him to seduce her once more. Claude Frollo watches in secret until, overcome with rage, he breaks his silence and stabs Phœbus. The clergyman then insinuates that only by yielding to his desires can Esmeralda escape the accusation of murdering Phœbus. She refuses. As people rush in, Claude Frollo points to Esmeralda as the captain’s murderess.

Sentenced to death, Esmeralda is led to the gallows in the square outside Notre-Dame. To seal her fate, Claude Frollo orchestrates a staged Judgement Day, ensuring that Esmeralda selects the black mark of death from the two figures representing life and death. Any protests among the crowd are suppressed, and Esmeralda continues her march towards the gallows.

She spots Phœbus, now recovered and reconciled with his fiancée, Fleur-de-Lys but he pretends not to recognise her. At that moment, Esmeralda realises there is nothing left tying her to this life. Overcome with despair at the injustice of her fate, Quasimodo strangles his foster father and teacher, Claude Frollo.