Manon Lescaut

Wagner inspired, Italian-passion infused

Puccini was just starting out his career with this tragedy about Manon Lescaut, a young girl on her way to a convent. She, of course, doesn't become a sister when she's so easily distracted by the love and luxuries that are offered upon her. Act I opens on a town filled with travelers. Manon arrives along with her brother to find many revelers enjoying the tavern and square sights. A young Chevalier Des Grieux catches a glimpse of Manon and sets about seducing her. But Manon's brother is quickly scheming to connect his sister with the wealthy, elderly Parisian Geronte. Manon, however, finds herself bouncing from one suitor to the next before ultimately torn between her lust for both luxury and love. Karita Mattila was great as Jenufa last year and that role is a great contrast to her youthful and silly Manon. She even performed the splits during her performing struts in Act II. But I was particularly impressed with tenor Marcello Giordani's performance as Des Grieux. Strangely, though, in Act I the chorus sings about an approaching carriage and the lovely people getting off but no carriage was in sight. Large doors were set both on the back and forward right of stage large enough to accommodate horses and a carriage so perhaps something went awry. I'll see if Dad want to go see it Saturday at the live high definition performance broadcast to see if our performance missed the carriage effect.