Another opera based off of Abbe Prevost's novel Manon Lescaut; this time, it's by Giacomo Puccini. This new production by Sir Richard Eyre reset the story from the 18th Century France to the 1940's during the Nazi occupation. Soprano Kristine Opolais starred in the demanding title role, and tenor Roberto Alagna was her faithful lover the Chevalier des Grieux. While Puccini had already written two operas, it was Manon Lescaut was his first successful one (the first two flopped miserably).
The story is as follows: En route to a convent, Manon stops at an inn. There, she meets and falls in love with the student des Grieux. The two of them run away to Paris where thety live together for a while. Eventually Manon leaves des Grieux to become the mistress of the wealthy Geronte. But soon she misses the love that she had with des Grieux, and the two reunite--only to be arrested when Geronte catches them together. The two of them go into exile in Louisiana where Manon dies of fever outside a penal colony.
This opera is not for the faint-hearted singer. In this piece, the main characters are rarely offstage and there is a lot of music. The role of Manon requires a soprano who has both great acting skills and superb musical talent. Opolais shows both, although I think it took her a few moments to get going in Act 1. Alagna, however, was at full strength the whole time, which is saying something given the fact that he stepped in halfway through rehearsals in order to fill in for Jonas Kaufmann.
If there was one scene that really stood out to me, it was the final scene of Act 3. The soldiers are preparing the women prisoners for deportation and calling them one by one. Manon, however, will not be parted from des Grieux, and the two of them try to say goodbye without leaving. Finally, des Grieux persuades the captain to take him with as a cabin boy.
I do have one problem with the updated production. Because of the demands of the plot, the Nazis are doing something that is out of character, and sending the women across the sea. In reality, they would have sent them further inland to be worked to death in a concentration camp. But, it was still a moving and heart-wrenching scene nonetheless.
This opera is a must-see.
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