April 24-25, 2026
Bringing The Hunchback of Notre Dame to life through dance
Join us for the company and Maryland premiere of La Esmeralda! This romantic ballet follows the noble-hearted Esmeralda as she defies the wicked Archdeacon Claude Frollo to protect herself and her love, Captain Phoebus.
Did you know?
La Esmeralda is based on the 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. Originally staged in London in 1844, it gained new life when it was expanded into a three-act ballet for the Russian stage. Marius Petipa’s revivals in the late 19th century gave us the production as we know it today.
The Story
In this uplifting take on Victor Hugo’s masterwork, the vivacious street dancer Esmeralda inadvertently catches the eye of the Archdeacon Claude Frollo. He sends his deformed henchman, Quasimodo, to capture her, but Captain Phoebus de Chateaupers comes to her rescue. Seeing Phoebus’s men begin to punish the misunderstood Quasimodo, Esmeralda is moved by compassion. She begs Phoebus to show mercy.
This act sparks a love story between Esmeralda and Phoebus that is complicated by his engagement to the spiteful noblewoman Fleur-de-Lys. Unaware, Fleur invites Esmeralda to perform at their engagement party the next day. Esmeralda and Phoebus run away together, but the road to their happily ever after is twisted: Claude Frollo returns to stab Phoebus and accuses Esmeralda of this crime. Over Phoebus’s body, the authorities carry her away.
As dawn breaks over the Festival of Fools, Frollo watches Esmeralda walk to her execution. All hope seems lost until Phoebus appears, alive and well! He insists that Esmeralda is innocent. Enraged, Frollo lunges for Esmeralda with his dagger. Quasimodo jumps between them, wrestling the dagger from Frollo’s hand. In the end, it was Esmeralda’s courage and compassion that inspired him to aid her. With Frollo taken care of, Esmeralda reunites with her beloved Phoebus.
La Esmeralda’s captivating characters provide a spellbinding adventure told through the evocative language of dance. Join us as we bring our mainstage season to its end and explore universal themes of courage, compassion, and the transformative power of love.
Purchase Tickets
Where
Maryland Hall
801 Chase St, Annapolis, MD 21401
Tickets for performances by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland are only sold through Eventbrite. Purchasing tickets from any other seller or website runs the risk of receiving fraudulent tickets or paying inflated prices. Tickets purchased through unauthorized third parties may not be valid and may be unusable for admittance. The Ballet Theatre of Maryland is not responsible for any lost or stolen third-party tickets. Help us serve you in the best manner by purchasing your tickets here at www.BalletMaryland.org or by phone at (410) 224-5644.
Know before you go!
Maryland Hall, our mainstage performance venue, is undergoing renovations to replace the HVAC system and install new floor and ceiling tiles. Performances will continue as scheduled, but there may be temporary changes to parking, bathrooms, and how to access the theater.
Check your email before the show for up-to-date information on this exciting change at Maryland Hall!