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.
Manon guide sections
