Details

The opera charts Manon's course from wide-eyed innocent to a woman who has seen all too much of the world, and Massenet supplies a lushly romantic score, bursting with life and colour. On her way to the convent where she is destined to spend her days, Manon falls instantly in love with the handsome Des Grieux, and they elope. Torn between her devotion to Des Grieux and the seductiveness of glamour and riches, Manon's voracious appetite for life blazes through the opera. Whilst he only wants the girl, the girl wants to have it all - even if it proves ultimately to be her undoing. Sung in French with English surtitles. Running time: approx. 3hrs 50mins (inclu. two intervals)

Cast/Performers

Ermonela Jaho (Manon Lescaut - Jan14 14 / 17 / 21 / 24 / 28), Ailyn Perez (Manon Lescaut - Jan14 31 Feb14 4), Matthew Polenzani (Chevalier des Grieux), Audun Iversen (Lescaut), Alastair Miles (Le Comte des Grieux), Christophe Martagne (Guillot de Morfontaine), William Shimell (De Bretigny), Simone Mihai (Poussette), Rachel Kelly (Javotte), Nadezhda Karyazina (Rosette), Lynton Black (Innkeeper)

Creatives/Company

Author: Massenet
Lyrics(s): Meilhac, Gille
Book by: Prevost
Producer(s): Royal Opera, Metropolitan Opera New York, La Scala Milan, Theatre du Capitole Toulouse
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Director(s): Laurent Pelly, Christian Rath (revival director)
Dramaturg: Agathe Melinand
Design: Chantal Thomas
Costume(s): Laurent Pelly, Jean-Jacques Delmotte
Lighting: Joel Adam
Choreographer: Lionel Hoche
Company(s): Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House