The opera Manon is adapted from the novel of the same name by Abbe Prevost. A true story, its tale of a beautiful and damned young woman has enchanted audiences for over a century. Manon is sung in French with English supertitles, and also contains spoken dialogue.
Manon is a passionate, haunting production which explores the price we pay for hedonism.
The opera's namesake has forsaken convent life to run away with the Chevalier des Grieux. He is her true love, but love comes second to luxury; in her pursuit of riches, Manon is doomed to flit in and out of the Chevalier’s life.
Her thrilling solos torment and enthrall him in equal measure. When Manon does the unthinkable and pulls her knight away from holy orders, the stage is set for an unforgettably tragic finale.
As each soaring aria heightens the dramatic tension, a stellar cast blend their multi-hued performances into a treat of an evening suitable for newcomers and opera aficionados alike.
Manon was composed by Jules Massanet. First performed in 1884, its title role has brought fame to sopranos including Sybil Sanderson, Renee Fleming and Anna Netrebko.