Esmeralda (opera) Esmeralda (opera) Esmeralda is an opera in four acts composed by Arthur Goring Thomas to an English-language libretto by Theo Marzials and Alberto Randegger based on Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". It premiered in London on 26 March 1883 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane with Georgina Burns in the title role and Barton McGuckin as her lover, Phoebus. "Esmeralda" was Thomas's first opera to receive a full staging. It was commissioned by the Carl Rosa Opera Company following a very successful performance of excerpts from his opera "The Light of the Harem" in 1879 at the Royal
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (musical) and Recreation"). Clopin introduces the crowd to Esmeralda, an attractive gypsy who dances for the crowd ("Rhythm of the Tambourine") - Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus are all entranced. After that, Clopin and the crowd get ready to crown the King of Fools (the ugliest person in France); Quasimodo enters upon Esmeralda's encouragement, immediately winning ("Topsy Turvy Part II"). In the middle of the celebration, he is humiliated by the crowd after a citizen starts a riot. Frollo refuses Phoebus's request to intervene, but Esmeralda rescues the hunchback and uses a magic trick to evade arrest. Frollo finally intervenes and stops