Le portrait de Manon
| Le portrait de Manon | |
|---|---|
| Opéra comique by Jules Massenet | |
 The composer in 1895 | |
| Librettist | Georges Boyer |
| Language | French |
| Premiere | 8 May 1894 Opéra-Comique, Paris |
Le portrait de Manon is an opéra comique in one act by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Georges Boyer. It is related to Massenet's 1884 opera Manon, widely regarded to be his masterpiece. However Le portrait de Manon is rarely performed today.
Performance history
The opera was first performed at the
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast,[3] 8 May 1894 (Conductor: Jules Danbé) |
|---|---|---|
| Des Grieux | baritone | Lucien Fugère |
| Tiberge | tenor | Pierre Grivot |
| Jean de Moncerf | mezzo-soprano | Suzanne Elven |
| Aurore | soprano | Jeanne Laisné |
Synopsis
The opera opens with a chorus of peasants singing outside the home of the Chevalier Des Grieux. They remind him of his own happier days and he looks at his miniature portrait of Manon. His nephew Jean arrives for a history lesson but tells Des Grieux that he is in love with Aurore. Des Grieux believes that the young girl, who is neither of noble birth nor rich, is unworthy of Jean.
Tiberge tries to persuade his old friend Des Grieux to allow young love to run its course.
Aurore and Jean are in despair. Jean tries to snatch a kiss from her but in the process knocks against a chest and the portrait of Manon falls out and the pair admire the portrait. Tiberge calls Aurore away. Des Grieux lectures Jean again and sends him away. Aurore appears wearing the dress that Manon wore when she first met Des Grieux in Amiens. Tiberge reveals that Aurore is the niece of Manon, the daughter of her brother Lescaut. Des Grieux yields to his arguments and consents to Jean's marriage to Aurore.
References
- ^ "Le portrait de Manon". l'Art Lyrique Français (in French). Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ Irvine D. Massenet: a chronicle of his life and times. Amadeus Press, Portland, 1997
- ^ a b Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Le portrait de Manon". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
External links
- Le portrait de Manon: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project