Watch them in rehearsals, and discussing the nuances of Puccini's score. The opera culminates in Manon's heartbreaking Act IV aria 'Sola, perduta, abbandonata', as she contemplates her impending death.,Ĭonductor Antonio Pappano rehearses with Kristīne Opolais (Manon) and Jonas Kaufmann (Des Grieux), who are both making role debuts in Jonathan Kent's new production of Manon Lescaut.

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. Puccini's sumptuous, richly-coloured score is characterized by youthful vitality and filled with glorious melodies. Jonathan Kent - director of The Royal Opera's much-loved staging of Tosca - brings a new production of Manon Lescaut to Covent Garden. 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. But Puccini was not to be dissuaded, claiming 'a woman like Manon can have more than one lover'. 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.

Join soprano Kristīne Opolais and baritone Christopher Maltman as they talk about becoming the roles of Manon and Lescaut in Puccini's first success, Manon Lescaut directed by Jonathan Kent.

Manon lescaut puccini opera