Organization

Singer

Soprano

Kristīne Opolais

Manon Lescaut

Baritone

Christopher Maltman

Lescaut

Tenor

Jonas Kaufmann

The knight René Des Grieux

Bass

Maurizio Muraro

Geronte de Revoir

Benjamin Hulett

Edmond

Robert Burt

The dance master

Mezzo-soprano

Nadezhda Karyazina

A singer

Luis Gomes

A lamplighter

Jeremy White

The naval captain

Jihoon Kim

Sergeant of the Archers

Conductor

Antonio Pappano

Stage director

Jonathan Kent

Set designer

Paul Brown

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Mark Henderson

Choreographer

Denni Sayers

Royal Opera House

Assistant Stage Director

Pedro Ribeiro

Italian

London

United Kingdom

Public

English

Approved

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.

Find out more at http://www.roh.org.uk/manonlescaut


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. But Puccini was not to be dissuaded, claiming 'a woman like Manon can have more than one lover'. 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.

Jonathan Kent -- director of The Royal Opera's much-loved staging of Tosca -- brings a new production of Manon Lescaut to Covent Garden. Puccini's sumptuous, richly-coloured score is characterized by youthful vitality and filled with glorious melodies. 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. The opera culminates in Manon's heartbreaking Act IV aria 'Sola, perduta, abbandonata', as she contemplates her impending death.

Kristīne Opolais and Christopher Maltman on Manon Lescaut (The Royal Opera)

Manon Lescaut by Puccini, From (2014/2014), Directed by Jonathan Kent,, Conductor Antonio Pappano, Royal Opera House, London, United Kingdom

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