The Juggler of Notre Dame

opera by Massenet

Also known as: “Le Jongleur de Notre Dame”

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July 16, 2026

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Jules Massenet's opera Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame (The Juggler of Our Lady), first performed in 1902, is a notable work by the celebrated French composer Jules Massenet. Massenet was known for his lyrical and sensuous musical style, often incorporating theatrical flair into his compositions.1

Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame tells the story of a medieval juggler who, lacking any other offering, dedicates his juggling skills to the Virgin Mary. The opera is admired for its graceful melodies and skilled characterization, typical of Massenet's operatic output. While Massenet composed many successful operas, this particular work stands out for its unique subject matter and its place within his extensive catalog.1

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Mary Garden
…major roles were those in Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame (Jules Massenet rewrote the tenor part for her); Massenet’s Thaïs, in which she made her American debut at the Manhattan Opera House in November 1907; Richard Strauss’s Salomé, in which she created a sensation; Henri Février’s Monna Vanna; and Italo Montemezzi’s…
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…major roles were those in Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame (Jules Massenet rewrote the tenor part for her); Massenet’s Thaïs, in which she made her American debut at the Manhattan Opera House in November 1907; Richard Strauss’s Salomé, in which she created a sensation; Henri Février’s Monna Vanna; and Italo Montemezzi’s…
Read More