Massenet’s operatic version of the famous tragic tale of Manon Lescaut returns to the Royal Opera repertory in a lavish new production.

Two star singers, Anna Netrebko and Vittorio Grigolo, head a fine Manon cast under the baton of Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera. The production is by Laurent Pelly, whose interpretation of La Fille Du Régiment was an instant hit.

Manon evokes in its designs and action all the colour, the life and the disturbing social underside of Paris in the 1880s, when the opera was written. The story’s theme is familiar and powerful: a naive young woman is drawn into a world of men, torn between love and luxury, unable to resist the wrong things and paying the ultimate price.

Massenet’s music is a whirlwind of variety and colour, richly orchestrated and full of melody. These are stirring sounds for strong passions, and this new production of Manon has a wonderful combination of performers and production team to make it a very welcome return indeed of a haunting operatic classic.

Manon is sung in French with English surtitles.

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