Lancôme proudly presents the French musical masterpiece Notre-Dame de Paris, returning to Shanghai in January 2026 to celebrate the 195th anniversary of Victor Hugo's novel. This visually stunning production features a powerhouse cast including Angelo Del Vecchio as Quasimodo and Elhaida Dani as Esmeralda, bringing to life the tragic love story with Richard Cocciante's unforgettable score. Since its 1998 premiere, this "greatest pop opera of the 21st century" has captivated over 12 million viewers worldwide.

The French original musical Notre-Dame de Paris is adapted from Victor Hugo's world-famous novel of the same name. With lyrics by European music genius Luc Plamondon and music composed by Richard Cocciante, its powerful modern score, visually stunning stage design, and passionate performances vividly express the novel's universal themes of time and destiny. It exposes and condemns the church and feudal system, criticizes the evil deeds of clergy and the moral depravity of nobility, while celebrating humanitarian compassion. The characters and scenes are filled with conflicts and contrasts: admiration versus obsession, vows versus betrayal, power versus possession, fate versus resistance, original sin versus redemption, downfall versus transcendence. These dramatic tensions create a magnificent tragic epic that transcends time and cultural barriers, ushering in a new era of contemporary musical theater.

The production first dazzled at France's MIDEM music fair in January 1998, before its official premiere at Paris's Palais des Congrès on September 16th that year, receiving overwhelming critical acclaim. Within two years of its debut, it swept across Europe with 130 consecutive performances in Francophone countries, winning multiple Canadian FELIX Awards including "Production of the Year," "Song of the Year," and "Best-Selling Album." Notre-Dame de Paris has toured globally, moving over 12 million audience members, and has been hailed by European media as "the greatest pop musical of the 21st century."

In 2011, the English version of Notre-Dame de Paris premiered at Shanghai Culture Square, initiating the "Year-End Spectacular" tradition that has become Shanghai theatergoers' most anticipated winter cultural event. Over 14 years, the musical has performed over 100 times here, with full-audience sing-alongs becoming Shanghai's most thrilling stage phenomenon. In January 2026, marking the 195th anniversary of the novel's publication, this French musical masterpiece will return for its sixth run at Culture Square, presented by luxury cosmetics leader Lancôme, once again ringing in the year's end as its global journey continues...

Synopsis

The French original musical Notre-Dame de Paris adapts Victor Hugo's classic novel, set in 1482 at Notre-Dame Cathedral. It tells the tragic love story between Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer raised by Archdeacon Claude Frollo, and the beautiful Gypsy girl Esmeralda.

Partial Cast

• Angelo Del Vecchio as Quasimodo
• Philippe Tremblay as Quasimodo (Alternate)
• Elhaida Dani as Esmeralda
• Daniel Lavoie as Frollo
• Solal as Frollo (Alternate)
• Flo Carli as Gringoire
• Martin Giroux as Phoebus
• Eric Jetner as Phoebus/Gringoire (Alternate)
• Emma Lepine as Fleur de Lys
• Jaime Bono as Esmeralda/Fleur (Alternate)
• Jay as Clopin
• Mike Lee as Clopin (Alternate)

Final casting subject to change