Bob’s World of J. Massenet Manon


	Bob’s World of

anon

Opéra-comique en 5 actes

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille

Music by: Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra-Comique, Paris, January 19, 1884

First Cast:

Manon Lescaut, soprano	Marie Heilbron
Chevalier Des Grieux, tenor	Alessandro Talazac
Lescaut, baritone	Emil A. Taskin
Count Des Grieux, bass	Cobalet
Guillot Morfontaine, bass	Grivot
De Brétigny, baritone	Collin
Poussette, soprano	Molé-Truffier
Javotte, soprano	Esther Chevalier
Rosette, soprano	Remy
Conductor	Jules Danbé

Manon Lescaut

     The action takes place in the year 1721, the first act presenting the Inn at Amiens, where Guillot Monfontaine, Minister of Finance, and a roué, is making merry with a party of friends. In the midst of their festivities, Manon, a vain and beautiful adventuress, arrives at the Inn, to meet her cousin, Lescaut, of the Royal Guards. Guillot, struck with the beauty of Manon, leaves his friends, and tries to entice her to go with him, but is rebuked by her, and is finally compelled to retreat. Lescaut, after warning his cousin against Guillot, leaves her for a short time on business, and during his absence the Chevalier Des Grieux arrives at the Inn, and immediately falls in love with Manon on account of her beauty and seeming simplicity. Although about to take holy orders, he becomes so infatuated with her that he consents to her plan of making use of Guillot's carriage to elope, and they drive to Paris.
     The second act takes place in Paris, where the lovers are discovered comfortably established in cozy apartments in the Rue Vivienne. they are interrupted by the entrance of the enraged Lescaut and his friend De Brétigny, a nobleman who is in love with Manon. The two men are pacified on hearing that Des Grieux has written to his father for consent to his marriage with Manon. But De Brétigny tells Manon that the Count, his father, has arranged to abduct his son that very afternoon. After Lescaut and De Brétigny leave Des Grieux goes to post his letter to his father. Manon says good-bye to her surroundings and awaits Des Grieux' abduction. Des Grieux is very happy on his return to his love nest. There is a knock at the door, and Des Grieux is seized by men in his father's employ, and is taken away from his love.
     The first scene of the reveals the fête of Cours la Reine where Manon is under the protection of De Brétigny. They encounter Count Des Grieux, who informs De Brétigny that his son has entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice, as a priest, on account of the conduct of Manon. On hearing this, all Manon's love for the Chevalier returns. and she flies from De Brétigny to rejoin her lover.
     At the cathedral of St. Sulpice, The Count congratulates his son for making the right choice. After the Count Des Grieux leaves his son alone in the cathedral, his son prays that the feelings he had for Manon will leave his heart. Des Grieux leaves for a moment and Manon enters looking for him. She prays for forgiveness and comes face to face with Des Grieux. He spurns her and the life they lead together. Manon reminds him of their past. She holds out her hand and asks him if this is not my hand that is caresses his? Does he not recall the past? Des Grieux resists, until he can stand the nearness of Manon no longer and they embrace, swearing their love.
     The fourth act is in a fashionable gambling house in Paris. Des Grieux and Manon enter, and, after much persuasion, the Chevalier consents to play, in hopes of winning riches for the pleasure-loving Manon. He plays with remarkable luck and Guillot unjustly accuses Des Grieux of cheating, and trouble ensues. The Chevalier and Manon are on the point of being arrested when the Count Des Grieux appears and releases his son, but Manon is condemned to exile.
     The final act finds Lescaut and Des Grieux on a lonely spot on the road to Le Harve, where Manon is to pass on her way to exile. Lescaut bribes the Sergeant of the guards to leave his cousin to talk with him and agrees to bring her to the village before nightfall. Manon and Des Grieux are momentarily reunited. They reminisce about when they met but Manon urges him to forget the past. Manon dies and Des Grieux, with a heartrending cry, falls on Manon's lifeless body.