1965 saw the premiere of Notre-Dame de Paris, Roland Petit's first ballet for the Opéra national de Paris.
And it was an immediate success. Impressively theatrical, the choreography marvels at its inventiveness and ease of dialogue with the present, like a timeless human fresco celebrating bodies and their struggle to overcome fate. The lush score by Maurice Jarre and the costumes designed by Yves Saint-Laurent, "as colourful as the stained glass windows of a cathedral", made a lasting impression on audiences.

• Ballet in 2 acts and 13 tableaux, first performed on 11 December 1965 at the Opéra national de Paris
• Coproduction Opéra de Rome - Opéra National de Bordeaux for the sets - With the assistance of the Ateliers de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux - Production - Opéra national de Paris for the costumes.