Giacomo Puccini was 34 when he composed his third opera — the masterpiece that established him as Verdi’s heir. At its premiere in 1893, the opera astonished its contemporaries. The orchestra, ever-present in its most bewitching colours, supports voices that overflow with human emotion. Manon Lescaut is a masterclass, drawing together the influences of Wagner, Verdi, and even Bizet.
This opera condenses Abbé Prévost’s novel, but intensifies its passions. Its main character is driven by an overwhelming desire to enjoy life, yet remains vulnerable to deception. Opposite her stands Des Grieux, the most hopelessly in love of lovers, torn by his own helplessness. Manon Lescaut, or the passion of despair, tells the story of two inseparable souls whom fate relentlessly tears apart.
And who better to portray these lovers than Chiara Isotton and Riccardo Massi, the star couple already celebrated in The Girl of the Golden West in 2024 at the Lyon Opera? And who better to direct than Sicilian stage director Emma Dante, known for her raw and immediate poetic style? They are perfect for this story of pure emotion and broken hearts.