Language: Italian
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish

Manon Lescaut is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed by Giacomo Puccini between 1889 and 1892 to a libretto by Luigi Illica, Marco Praga and Domenico Oliva, based on the 1731 novel Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux, et de Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost. The opera was first performed in 1893 in Turin, at the Teatro Regio.

Puccini took some musical elements in Manon Lescaut from earlier works he had written. For example, the madrigal Sulla vetta tu del monte from act 2 echoes the Agnus Dei from his 1880 Messa a quattro voci. Other elements of Manon Lescaut come from his compositions for strings: the quartet Crisantemi (January 1890), three Menuets (probably 1884) and a Scherzo (1883). The love theme comes from the aria Mentia l'avviso (1883). Puccini wrote some parts in Vacallo in Switzerland.

Puccini's imagination was captivated by the love story of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier des Grieux, in which the protagonists defy social norms and the accepted moral law in order to be with each other, as a similar tale of passion had taken place in the composer's own life: his affair with Elvira Bonturi, a liaison that stirred enormous emotions in him but which, owing to the strictness of Italian law, could not become an official marriage, filled his life. More than one associate tried to talk him out of using the subject, not only because of his own personal proximity to it, but because of the tremendous success of Massenet's own Manon as well. Fortunately, however, Puccini could not be swayed, and his first nationwide success was born, which was soon conquering stages all over the world.

Des Grieux is mocked by his friends for speaking cynically about love. Manon Lescaut arrives in a carriage with her brother Lescaut and Geronte. Des Grieux immediately falls in love and approaches her. She tells him she is headed to a convent so he offers to help her. She agrees to leave with him. Geronte wants to abduct Manon for his own gain (he is in love with her) and Edmondo, one of Des Grieux’s friends overhears the plan and offers to help his friend leave with her. Manon and Des Grieux eventually escape together.

When the second act begins, Manon is with Geronte as Des Grieux ran out of money and she simply could not live without luxury. After a party, in which Geronte shows off Manon, Des Grieux is brought in by Lescaut to please his sister. The two lovers reconcile but are caught by Geronte and his men. At Le Havre Manon is set alongside a number of other imprisoned women whose destiny is the new world. Des Grieux begs to board the ship with Manon and is eventually allowed to go.

In the deserts of New Orleans, Manon is dying. Des Grieux runs off looking for help but it is no use. He watches his beloved expire. The arias of the work are arguably the most famous musical numbers. Des Grieux has two contrasting sections. The first aria, “Donna non vidi mai,” sees him enamored with Manon and singing of his newfound love. “Pazzo son… Guardate comio piango ed ímploro” is at the other extreme of emotion, the character desperate to be with his lover. Meanwhile, Manon gets the famed “Sola, perduta, abbandonata” at the close of the opera, a passage of absolute desolation and desperation. There is also a famed love duet, which remains a favorite concert piece for its lush and erotic melodies.

Direction: Davide Livermore (Director), Emmanuel Villaume (Music Conductor)
Cast: Manon Lescaut: Liudmyla Monastyrska, Lescaut: David Bižić, He rider Renato Des Grieux: Gregory Kunde, His double (silent role): Albert Muntanyola, Geronte di Ravoir: Carlos Chausson, Edmondo: Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, The oste: Marc Pujol, Il maestro di ballo: José Manuel Zapata, A musico: Carol García, A sergeant: Michael Borth, A lampionaio: Jordi Casanova, Commander: David Sánchez, Orchestra and Choir of the Gran Teatre del Liceu