Massenet: Manon 16 years old
Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper
Massenet's opera centres on its charming but contrary heroine, the vivacious young Manon who longs for luxury and excitement. We first encounter her en route to a convent, where her family are sending her to be educated. Along the way, she falls in love with the young student Des Grieux, and, impetuously, runs off with him. She soon leaves him, however, to become the mistress of a rich nobleman. Thus begins her descent into criminality and depravity, all too soon dragging the besotted Des Grieux with her, until she is imprisoned. Despite its tragic story, the opera is full of French charm and vitality – typified by the ambiguous Manon herself. Her plight is touching because of the subtle play of innocence and calculation in her character. The score contains many sparkling arias and ensembles, moving rapidly from moods of exuberance to tenderness, with perfect dramatic timing. Recorded live at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, April/May 2007.
Credits
Massenet: Manon Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Silvia De La Muela | as Rosette |
| Daniel Barenboim He was 64, now 81 years old | as Conductor |
| Artu Kataja | as Bretigny |
| Anna Netrebko She was 35, now 52 years old | as Manon Lescaut |
| Gal James, singer | as Javotte |
| Alfredo Daza He was 30, now 47 years old | as Lescaut |
| Remy Corazza | as Guillot de Morfontaine |
| Hanan Alattar | as Pousette |
| Rolando Villazón He was 35, now 52 years old | as Des Grieux |
| Christof Fischesser | as Le Comte Des Grieux |
Massenet: Manon Crew
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Jules Massenet as Writer. He was 164 (70) years old when He died | Writing |
| Jules Massenet as Musical. He was 164 (70) years old when He died | Writing |
| Andreas Morell as Director. He was 60 (now 77) years old | Directing |
| Michael Heinzl as Producer. | Production |
| Wolfgang Hirschl as Cinematography. | Crew |
| Gernot Arendt as Editor. | Editing |
| Peter Pabst as Production Design. He was 83 (68) years old when He died | Art |
| Peter Pabst as Costume Design. He was 83 (68) years old when He died | Costume & Make-Up |
| Manfred Dvornikovich as Makeup Artist. | Costume & Make-Up |
| Bernhard Fleischer as Director. He was 56 (now 73) years old | Directing |
Massenet: Manon (16 years)
Jules Massenet’s Manon at the Berlin Staatsoper
- Release day: Wednesday, May 09, 2007
- Runtime: 200 minutes
