Manon

First part

Act 1 - Amiens
The elderly Guillot de Morfontaine and his mistresses Poussette, Javotte and Rosette are enjoying a raucous dinner in the company of Brétigny. Just then, a group of travellers arrive. Among them is the young Manon. She is greeted by her cousin Lescaut who has been given the task of escorting her to the convent.

The beautiful young girl does not go unnoticed and Guillot attempts to woo her by flaunting his wealth. Lescaut sends him on his away and urges Manon to be prudent while he goes to visit the louche little cabaret next door. Left alone once more, Manon dreams of the life that has been denied her. The arrival of the Chevalier Des Grieux pulls her out of her melancholy: for the young pair it is love at first sight and they decide to run away to Paris.
 

Act 2 - Paris
The young couple are now living in a makeshift apartment. Des Grieux reads Manon the letter he has written to his father informing the latter of his intention to marry her. As he does, they are interrupted by the arrival of Lescaut and Brétigny whom Manon immediately recognises despite his disguise. A game of deception begins: Lescaut pretends to have reconciled with Des Grieux, while Brétigny informs Manon that her lover will be taken to his father by force that same evening.

In exchange for her silence, he promises to make her the queen of Paris society. Despite the sincerity of her love, Manon agrees and resigns herself to changing her life. Des Grieux senses her torment but it is toolate: he is dragged away despite Manon’s protestations.

Second part

Act 3 - Firts scene The Cours-la-Reine
It is a public holiday on the Cours-la-Reine promenade. Poussette, Javotte and Rosette are having fun at Guillot’s expense while Lescaut is playing the suitor. Manon makes a grand entrance and proclaims before her gathered admirers the necessity of making the most of being young.

She overhears a conversation between Brétigny and Des Grieux and learns that Des Grieux has decided to withdraw from the world and enter a seminary. Guillot, who is eager to seduce Manon and steal her away from Brétigny, has arranged to have the Opera Ballet perform for her. However, Manon decides to leave the festivities and go off in search of Des Grieux.
 

Act 3 - Second scene Saint-Sulpice
Des Grieux has just delivered a sermon that has greatly impressed the devout congregation. His father again tries to dissuade him from taking holy orders, but the young man remains intransigent. The arrival of Manon, however, greatly unsettles him.

She begs him to forgive her for her betrayal. Des Grieux is torn between his desire and his new duties but he ultimately yields to Manon’s charms and runs away with her again.

Third part

Act IV - The hotel de Transylvanie
Manon’s profligate spending has depleted Des Grieux’s resources. To replenish them, he lets himself be drawn into a gambling den often frequented by Lescaut. Despite his reluctance and distaste for gambling, he agrees to play a couple of rounds with Guillot which Des Grieux wins in quick succession.

The latter’s remarkable luck irks his adversary who accuses him of cheating. Guillot threatens the couple and leaves but returns soon thereafter with the police who arrest Manon and Des Grieux with the blessing of Des Grieux’s father.
 

Act 5 - The road to le Havre
On a road leading to Le Havre, Des Grieux and Lescaut await the passage of a convoy of girls sentenced for deportation. Lescaut manages to bribe the guards so that Manon and Des Grieux can spend a moment alone. The young woman blames herself for destroying their love and begs forgiveness. Des Grieux reassures her and tries to give her hope, but she dies in his arms dreaming of their past happiness.

CHARACTERS

Manon Lescaut
Le Chevalier des Grieux: Manon’s lover
Lescaut: Manon’s cousin
Le Comte des Grieux: The Chevalier’s father
Guillot de Morfontaine: An old rake
Brétigny: Manon’s wealthy patron
Poussette, Javotte, Rosette: Three demimondaines

Program and cast

Opera-comique in five acts and six scenes (1884)

After the novel by Abbé Prévost

Creative team

Jules Massenet - Music(1842-1912)

Henri Meilhac - Libretto

Philippe Gille - Libretto

Pierre Dumoussaud - Conductor

Alessandro Di Stefano - Chorus master

Vincent Huguet - Director

Aurélie Maestre - Set design

Clémence Pernoud - Costume design

Bertrand Couderc - Lighting design

Jean-François Kessler - Choreography

Louis Geisler - Dramaturgy

Cast

Nadine Sierra - Manon26, 29 May, 1, 6 June

Amina Edris - Manon9, 11, 14, 17, 20 June

Benjamin Bernheim - The Knight of Grieux26, 29 May, 1, 6, 9 June

Roberto Alagna - The Knight of the Grieux11, 14, 17, 20 June

Andrzej Filończyk - Lescaut

Nicolas Cavallier - The Count of Grieux

Nicholas Jones - Guillot de Morfontaine

Régis Mengus - De Brétigny

Ilanah Lobel-Torres - Stroller

Marine Chagnon - Javotte

Maria Warenberg - Rosette

Philippe Rouillon - The Hotelier

Laurent Laberdesque - Two guards

Olivier Ayault - Two guards

The Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Language : French

Surtitle : French / English

Duration : 3h50 with 3 intervals

Opening

First part - 75 minutes

Intermission 25 minutes

Second part - 65 minutes

Intermission 25 minutes

Third part - 40 minutes

End