Overview
Synopsis
Manon is a tale of love, greed, and betrayal. Manon is a young girl who is being sent to a convent by her family. She runs into Des Grieux, who falls instantly in love with her, and the two decide to elope and run away to Paris. They live happily for some time, until Manon is persuaded to leave Des Grieux for the promise of luxury and riches with De Brétigny. Some time later, Des Grieux is so devastated that he has decided to enter into the priesthood. Manon hears of this and rushes to convince him of their love. The two are reunited, until they gamble away their fortune and are both arrested for cheating in a game. While Des Grieux is released, Manon is sentenced to long years in prison and deportation to America. Des Grieux seeks her out to rescue her, but arrives too late. Manon dies in his arms.
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Context
Based on the novel, l’histoire de chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost, Massenet, with the help of librettists, Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, wrote the five act opéra comique for its premiere in 1884. The opera became an instant success after its premiere in Paris, and reached its 1000th performance in 1919. After its premiere, Manon opened in the United Kingdom and then in New York. Manon has had many performances at the Metropolitan Opera house starting in 1895.
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Act I:
At an inn in France, the noblemen, Monsieur de Brétigny and Guillot de Morfontaine, are enjoying a dinner with three young actresses, Poussette, Javotte, and Rosette. As others are waiting for a coach to Paris, Lescaut, is waiting for his younger cousin, Manon, to arrive. Manon is on her way to him to be escorted to a convent. The coach arrives, and Manon come out, ecstatic that she is on her first trip away from home. Guillot sees her and immediately is attracted, so he offers to
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Character Portrayals
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Songs
Prélude
Acte I
- Holà! Hé! Monsieur l’Hôtelier! (Poussette, Javotte, Rosetta, Guillot, De Brétigny, l’Hôtelier)
- Allez a l’auberge voisine (Chorus, Lescaut)
- Je suis encore tout étourdie (Manon)
- Revenez, Guillot, revenez! (Pousette, Javotte, Rosette)
- Regardez-moi bien dans les yeux ... Ne bronchez pas (Lescaut)
- Voyons, Manon, plus de chimères (Manon)
- Et je sais votre nom (Des Grieux, Manon)
- Plus un sou! le tour est très plaisant! (Lescaut, Guillot, De Brétigny, l’Hôtelier, Poussette, Javotte, Rosetta, Chorus)
Acte II
- Prélude
- On l’appelle Manon (Manon, Des Grieux)
- Enfin, les amoureux, Je vous tiens tous les deux! (Lescaut, De Brétigny, Manon, Des Grieux)
- Adieu, notre petite table (Manon)
- En fermant les yeux (Des Grieux)
Acte III
- Entr’acte Menuet
- C’est fête au Cours-la-Reine! (Chorus)
- La charmante promenade (Poussette, Javotte)
- A quoi bon l’économie! (Lescaut)
- Voici les élégantes! (Chorus)
- Je marche sur tous les chemins! (Manon)
- Obéissons quand leur voix appelle (Manon, Chorus)
- Pardon!...mais j’étais là (Manon, Le Comte Des Grieux)
- Quelle éloquence! l’admirable orateur! (Chorus)
- Épouse quelque brave fille (Le Comte Des Grieux)
- Ah! fuyez, douce image (Des Grieux)
- Pardonnez-moi, Dieu de toute puissance (Manon)
- Oui! je fus cruelle et coupable! (Manon, Des Grieux)
- N’est-ce plus ma main que celle main presse? (Manon)
Acte IV:
- Le joueur sans prudence livre tout au hazard (Chorus)
- A l’Hôtel de Transylvanie (Poussette, Javotte, Rosette)
- C’est ici que celle que j’aime (Lescaut)
- J’enfourche aussi Pégase (Guillot)
- Manon, sphinx étonnant (Des Grieux, Manon, Lescaut)
- A nous les amours et les roses! (Manon, Poussette, Javotte, Rosette)
- Oui, je viens t’arracher à la honte! (Le Comte Des Grieux, Manon, Des Grieux, Guillot, Poussette, Javotte, Rosette, Chorus)
Acte V:
- Capitaine, ô tué, es-tu fatigué (Chorus)
- Tu pleures! (Manon, Des Grieux)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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