Manon Lescaut

This disc has most of the right ingredients for a classic Manon Lescaut. Plácido Domingo and Montserrat Caballé in their prime were two of the loveliest Puccini voices of the late 20th century. Their Spanish temperaments only aid in conveying the passion in this story of a love that survives unpleasant parents, religious vows, and arrest, and ends without a shred of dignity in the swamps of Louisiana. The main drawback here is that conductor Bruno Bartoletti, for all of his experience, could've given a fresher account of the score and, in general, the whole thing sounds a bit studio bound. However, operatic decisions are made on the basis of voices, and this set has them. –David Patrick Stearns

This famous production of Manon Lescaut from The Royal Opera, recorded in 1983, features two of the biggest stars in opera, Placido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa, in their vocal prime. Placido Domingo’s performance of Des Grieux is considered to be unsurpassed. Conductor Guiseppe Sinopoli made his British operatic debut with this production. Puccini’s first masterpiece was rapturously received on its first night. It has his hallmark sensuality and also a youthful freshness, its untamed outpouring of melody just as passionate as his more famous operas, La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly. The role of Des Grieux is one of the most taxing in the tenor repertoire and Domingo’s passionate portrayal is one of his greatest achievements.

Sous la régence, période d'hédonisme succédant à l'austère fin de règne de Louis XIV, le chevalier des Grieux rencontre une belle adolescente: Manon Lescaut. Une passion irraisonnée naît entre les jeunes gens. Malgré son éducation rigoriste, des Grieux ne pourra résister aux penchants licencieux de Manon. L'inconséquence et la candide immoralité des deux amants vont les jeter dans des aventures qui aboutiront à leur déchéance. …

Te Kanawa and Carreras blend gorgeously in this fine recording. Chailly finds the elegance in the score like no other , they sing beautifully and idiomatically in this recording. They are in good voice and they point their words so well, indicating their understanding of the libretto as well as the score. Te Kanawa and Carreras are seasoned veterans and show why they earned reputations as superstars.