Manon
From Free net encyclopedia
Manon is an opera in five acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, based on L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost. It was first performed at the Opéra Comique in Paris on January 19, 1884.
Manon is Massenet's most popular and enduring opera, having maintained an important place in the repertory since its creation. It is the quintessential example of the charm and vitality of the music and culture of the Parisian Belle Epoque. The first Manon was Marie Heilbron and other sopranos that have been made famous by the role are Sybil Sanderson (Massenet's personal favorite), Fanny Heldy, Bidu Sayao, Victoria de los Angeles, Beverly Sills and most recently, Renée Fleming.
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Principal characters
- Manon Lescaut - soprano
- Le Chevalier des Grieux - tenor
- Lescaut, Manon's cousin - baritone
- Guillot de Morfontaine, a nobleman - tenor
- Monsieur de Brétigny - baritone
- Le Comte des Grieux, the Chevalier's father - bass
- Poussette, an actress - soprano
- Javotte, an actress - mezzo-soprano
- Rosette, an actress - mezzo-soprano
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Noted arias
- Act I - Manon: "Je suis encore tout étourdie"
- Act II - des Grieux: "En ferment les yeux"
- Act II - Manon: "Adieu, notre petite table"
- Act III - Manon: "Obéissons quand leurs voix appelle"
- Act III - des Grieux: "Ah, fuyez douce image"
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External links
- Upcoming performances from Operabase.com
- Manon at Jules-Massenet.comes:Manon