Manon Lescaut

The first of Puccini's operas to become popular, Manon Lescaut is a study of a composer reaching his youthful maturity. Each act is a little less flabby than the one that came before it. By the time we reach Act Four, Puccini has built up a full head of steam, and there's not much distance to traverse between Manon's death on a plain near New Orleans and Mimi's death in a garret in Paris. To get there, we start with an Act One that has its moments (notably the tenor's "Donna non vidi mai," although Puccini cannibalized it from an earlier work), an Act Two that has the heartbreakingly simple "In quelle trine morbide" and a whiz-bang climax, and an Act Three that is full of pathos – just like the equivalent act in La Bohème, but without the great set-pieces…

Raymond Tuttle

Giacomo Puccini - Manon Lescaut (2006) [DVD] {Deutsche Grammophon}
DVD9 -> 7.08 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 4:3 | Italiano (LPCM, 2 ch / Dolby AC3, 6 ch / DTS, 6 ch) | ~ 132 min | ISO Image
Subs: Italiano, English, Deutsch, Francais, Espanol, Chinese
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 92 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2006 Deutsche Grammophon | 00440 073 4241
Classical / Opera

James Levine conducts Renata Scotto and Placido Domingo in the Metropolitan Opera's 1980 production of Puccini's early masterpiece, a performance of 'fluid movement, eye-catching invention, sex appear and above all, a sense of humor.' Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Renata Scotto live in the theatre, but I am told that she is an excellent singing actress. Witness that for yourself in this magnificent production of one of my favourite Puccini operas. When Scotto is on stage you can't take your eyes off her, and watch her face at the end of Act III as DeGrieux pleads with the Captain to let him join her on board ship - what an amazing actress she is.

The opening credits of this disc refer to is as 'The other Manon'. Most opera fans will be familiar with the operas on the subject of Manon Lescaut by Puccini and Massenet, but this opera comique, dating from 1856, predates both of them, and was popular enough in its day. The story is very different in most respects from those of the more familiar operas; Manon and her friend Marguerite are seamstresses; she loves des Greeiux, but is persued by the Marquis d'Herigny, who is the commanding officer of her brother's regiment; he insists that her brother helps him to seduce her. This is achieved by putting des Grieux in the awkward position of being unable to settle a restaurant bill; to preserve his honour he obtains the money by enlisting in d'Herigny's regiment, thus putting him in his rival's power…
By Mrs. E. Watts (Barnsley England)

Jonathan Kent’s new production of Manon Lescaut recorded at the Royal Opera House in 2014, includes a stellar cast, featuring Kristine Opolais and Jonas Kaufmann in the roles of the young lovers Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier des Grieux. Kent brings this 19th-century classic to a 2014 setting, non-naturalistic and theatrical. Supporting the action on stage is the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, with their venerable Music Director Antonio Pappano.

Andrea, Ana Maria and Plácido made really an excellent production. Some people said Bocelli wasn't an opera singer, but maestri like Metha, Mercurio, Maazel (R.I.P), Gergiev, Armilliato, Luisi, and now maestro Domingo tell us about the wonderful voice and the excellent operatic job of maestro Bocelli

Maria Guleghina impresses strongly. To my mind she is Puccini’s ideal ‘tart with a heart for gold’. She has control and sensitivity and she acts everybody off the stage. She’s coy (but with just a hint of being street-wise) in Act I, outrageously flighty and avaricious in Act II, and, at last, contrite in Act IV. Just watch her as she taunts Geronte di Ravoir (a far too gentlemanly Luigi Roni) in Act II and the way she disports herself on the floor of the stage to seduce Des Grieux back to her charms.

All the throbbing eroticism—and ultimate heartbreak—of Puccini’s youthful score is unleashed by James Levine and his top-flight cast. Plácido Domingo is Des Grieux, the handsome, headstrong young aristocrat who falls head over heels for the enticing, impetuous Manon Lescaut (Renata Scotto). Manon returns his love, but her obsession with luxury ruins them both. Gian Carlo Menotti’s opulent production, with sets and costumes by Desmond Heeley, superbly captures the colorful world of 18th century France.