Manon Lescaut
Puccini’s first triumph returns to Covent Garden for the first time in 20 years in a new staging by Jonathan Kent.
When to see it
Booking for 17 June 2014 - 7 July 2014 opens
- Booking opens 8 April 2014 at 10.00am for General Public.
- Booking opens 19 March 2014 at 10.00am for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opens 28 February 2014 at 10.00am for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opens 26 February 2014 at 10.00am for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opens 25 February 2014 at 10.00am for Premium 2 Friends.
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Pappano
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Opolais
- Maltman
- Kaufmann
- Muraro
- Hulett
- Burt
- Karyazina
- Gomes
- White
- Kim
- Royal Opera Chorus
Introduction
Manon is on her way to a convent when she meets the young student Des Grieux. The pair fall in love and escape to Paris, but when the elderly Geronte offers Manon a life of wealth and luxury, her head is turned.
Background
Puccini’s publisher tried to prevent him from adapting Abbé Prévost’s L’Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut – Massenet had already created a highly successful opera based on the novel. But Puccini was not to be dissuaded, claiming ‘a woman like Manon can have more than one lover’. Despite a troubled gestation (five librettists were engaged in the project), the premiere of Manon Lescaut in 1893 was Puccini’s first major triumph – a hit with critics and the public alike.
Jonathan Kent – director of The Royal Opera’s much-loved staging of Tosca – brings a new production of Manon Lescaut to Covent Garden. Puccini’s sumptuous, richly-coloured score is characterized by youthful vitality and filled with glorious melodies. Des Grieux expresses his passion for Manon in the Act I aria ‘Vedete? io son fedele’, lively dances evoke Manon’s luxurious life in Paris in Act II, while in the impassioned finale to Act III, ‘Pazza son!’, Des Grieux begs to be allowed to join the imprisoned Manon on her voyage to America. The opera culminates in Manon’s heartbreaking Act IV aria ‘Sola, perduta, abbandonata’, as she contemplates her impending death.
Live cinema season
Manon Lescaut will be screened live in cinemas on 24 June
Thanks to
Generously supported by
Generous philanthropic support from
Lord and Lady Laidlaw of Rothiemay, Mrs Susan A Olde OBE, Phyl Corrie and The Manon Lescaut Production Syndicate
How to support the Royal Opera House
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | Jonathan Kent |
| Designs | Paul Brown |
| Lighting design | Mark Henderson |
| Choreographer | Denni Sayers |
Related links
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: Manon Lescaut
