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About the middle of the nineteenth century the destinies of English
opera were controlled by a company presided over by Miss Pyne and Mr.
Harrison, for which Balfe and Macfarren wrote a good many of their
works. In more recent times the place of this institution was taken by
the Carl Rosa company, which was founded in 1875 by a German violinist
named Carl Rosa. Such opportunities as were presented to English
musicians, during the latter part of the last century, of hearing their
works sung upon the stage were principally due to his efforts. One of
the first works actually written in response to a commission by Carl
Rosa was 'Esmeralda,' an opera by Arthur Goring Thomas (1851-1892),
which was produced in 1883. It is founded upon Victor Hugo's 'Notre
Dame,' and the libretto was written by T. Marzials and A. Randegger.
Esmeralda, a gipsy street singer, is loved by the profligate priest
Claude Frollo, who with the assistance of Quasimodo, the deformed
bell-ringer of Notre Dame, tries to carry her off by night. She is
rescued by Phoebus de Chateaupers, the captain of the guard, who
speedily falls in love with her. Frollo escapes, but Quasimodo is
captured, though, at Esmeralda's entreaty, Phoebus sets him once more at
liberty. In gratitude the dwarf vows himself to her service. Frollo is
mad with rage at seeing Phoebus preferred to himself; he assassinates
the captain and accuses Esmeralda of the crime.
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