MANON by Jules Massenet - the synopsis

The online opera guide to MANON

Get to know the Synopsis of the opera MANON by Jules Massenet. In a 4-minute film you will watch the most important actions. Enriched with role descriptions and informative illustrations.

Content

♪ Synopsis in 4 minutes - YouTube Video

♪ Synopsis in written words

♪ Link to the opera portrait (with interesting informations, and great Youtube Videos)

♪ Top 5 Highlights of the opera

The Synopsis of MANON in 4 minutes

The Opera-Portrait of MANON

The link to the Opera-Portrait with interesting facts and great YouTube Videos about MANON

The written Synopsis of MANON

The Roles
Manon, young woman
Lescaut, Cousin of Manon
Des Grieux, Chevalier, nobleman
Des Grieux, Count and father of the Chevalier Des Grieux
Guillot, wealthy man
De Brétigny, wealthy nobleman

The two wealthy Guillot and von De Brétigny enjoy themselves in an inn with three young friends. Lescaut is also in there. He is expecting a stagecoach in which his cousin Manon is sitting. He has been instructed by her family to escort Manon to a monastery. The stagecoach arrives and Lescaut greets his 15-year-old cousin Manon. Manon looks good, has charm and arouses the interest of Guillot and De Brétigny. Lescaut leaves Manon for a while because he wants to go to a card game. Guillot takes the chance and spontaneously offers her a life of luxury against a love affair. Manon is not interested, but meets the young Chevalier Des Grieux. He falls in love with Manon. She also likes Des Grieux and they spontaneously decide to steal Guillot’s carriage and flee to Paris.

They live in a small apartment in Paris. Des Grieux writes a letter to his father asking for his permission to marry. Suddenly Manon’s cousin Lescaut appears, accompanied by De Brétigny. While Lescaut is argueing with Des Grieux, De Brétigny takes Manon aside and tells her that Des Grieux’s father would not accept a marriage, and that he will be abducted this evening. De Brétigny offers her an alternative life in luxury for her love. When the two have left, Des Grieux dreams of a life in countryside. But Manon dreams of a glamorous life in luxury. So she does not warn Des Grieux. In the evening, Des Grieux is brought to his father.

Manonlives her life in luxury. On a Sunday promenade, Manon’s rich lover even hires the ballet to celebrate the graceful Manon. Des Grieux’s father is also invited, and he tells Manonthat his son is going to be ordained a priest. Manon is suddenly inflamed again and sets off for the seminary.

In the seminary, Des Grieux has already acquired the reputation of a gifted preacher. He does not let his father dissuade him from dedicating his life to God. Then Manon appears, asks him for forgiveness and Des Grieux cannot resist her tenderness.

Des Grieux and Manon live together. Her desire for luxury devours large sums of money. Soon Grieux has squandered his inheritance. Out of desperation, Des Grieux seeks his fortune in the game. He plays against Guillot in the casino. Guillot loses a lot of money and accuses Des Grieux of cheating. The policemen, instructed by Des Grieux’s father, arrest Des Grieux and release him soon after. They have their eyes on Manon. She is imprisoned as an accomplice.

Des Grieux and Lescaut have learned that Manon has been sentenced to overseas deportation. They want to free her. With his last money Lescaut bribes a sergeant and the fatally ill Manon is released for a short time. Manon repents of her deeds and asks Des Grieux for forgiveness. She remembers their time of love and tenderness and dies in his arms.

The Top 6 highlights of MANON

Je suis encore étourdie - Gheorghiu

Allons! … Adieu, notre petite table - de los Angeles

En fermant les yeux – Björling

Obéissons… Profitons de la jeunesse - de los Angeles

Je suis seul… ah fuyez douce images - Kaufmann

N’est-ce plus les mains - Gheorgiu / Alagna

Peter Lutz, opera-inside, the online opera guide to MANON by Jules Massenet.

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