Details

Manon Lescaut is the opera in which Puccini found his voice. Never again did he equal the intensity of full-blooded sexual passion with which he imbued this opera. The catalyst is the Chevalier de Grieux, a young man initiated into a wanton world, all too aware of the degradation he will suffer but powerless to resist it. The object of his obsession is Manon, irresistibly charming and lethally corrupt, infuriatingly poised between the trivial and the sublime. Puccini's musical imagination was at its most fecund as he lavished his immortal melodies on these potent characters. New production supported by The Kobler Trust.

Cast/Performers

Nina Stemme (Manon Lescaut), Julia Melinek (Manon Lescaut from Oct 30), Martin Thompson (Chevalier des Grieux), John Daszak (Chevalier des Grieux from Oct 30), David Kempster (Lescaut), Mark Richardson (Geronte de Revoir), John Graham Hall (Edmondo / Dancing Master / Lamp-Lighter), Richard Roberts (Edmondo / Dancing Master / Lamp-Lighter from Oct 25), Graeme Danby (Innkeeper), Susan Parry (Musician), Roberto Salvatori (Naval Captain), Leigh Melrose (Sergeant of Archers)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Oliva, Illica (after Prevost)
Company: English National Opera
Director: Keith Warner
Translation(s): Keith Warner, Emma Warner
Costume(s): Stefanos Lazaridis, Emma Ryott (assistant)
Lighting: Davy Cunningham
Conductor(s): Paul Daniel, Alex Ingram (Oct 17 20 25 and 27)