Manon
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
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
Paris Opera Bastille
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Agency number: 4848428
Opéra Bastille
A great modern theatre
The Opéra Bastille is the work of the Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, who was chosen in November 1983 after an international competition that attracted entries from some 1,700 architects. The theatre was inaugurated on July 13th 1989.
Its architecture is marked by transparent façades and by the use of identical materials for both the interiors and the exteriors.
With its 2,700 acoustically consistent seats, its unique stage facilities, its integrated scenery, costume and accessory workshops, as well as its numerous work areas and rehearsal rooms, the Opera Bastille is a great modern theatre.
Stage facilities
Orchestra pit, mobile and adjustable, can be covered; at its largest it can house 130 musicians
Main stage, 45 m high, 30 m wide, 25 m deep, made up of 9 elevators allowing several levels to be created and supported by three main elevators, which bring scenery up from below stage
Clearing zones, 4 storage areas with the same dimensions as the stage
Backstage area, with its scenery turntable
Circulation area, scenery temporarily stored between the stage, workshops and rehearsal stage
Rehearsal stage, the Salle Gounod, with its orchestra pit and dimensions identical to those of the main stage
The building
Area at ground level: 22,000 m²
Floor area: 160,000 m²
Total height: 80 m (including 30 m below street level)
The auditoriums
The main auditorium
Area: 1,200 m², 5% of the total for the building
Dimensions: 20 m high, 32 m deep, 40 m wide
Number of seats: 2,703
Materials: blue granite from Lannelin in Brittany, pearwood from China, glass ceiling
The amphitheatre
Area: 700 m²
Depth : 21.4 m
Number of seats : 450
Materials: white breccia marble from Verona, staff ceiling
The Studio
Area: 280 m²
Depth: 19,5 m
Number of seats: 237
Materials: white breccia marble from Verona and pearwood