Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 things to know about the French Romantic opera Manon

For this UBC Opera and Opera West collaboration, emerging stars take the lead in a classic story with a long history of fame and scandal

By Janet Smith

Frédéric Antoun and Emily Pogorelc.

IS IT JUST US, or does spring seem like the perfect time to stage a French Romantic opera? 

UBC Opera and Opera West are set to collaborate on a production of Manon—a mainstay of late-1800s opéra comique with some exciting rising stars in the lead.

Jules Massenet’s Manon follows the story of the titular heroine and Chevalier des Grieux, swinging between intense love and aching betrayal, all brought to life with lushly beautiful music.

Jacques Lacombe conducts members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra (where he’s music director), while UBC Opera’s Nancy Hermiston directs.

Note that audience members can get into a full Manon mood by attending a preshow soirée on March 28 that tries to re-create elegant 19th-century Paris.

Here are five things to know about the historic piece and this production:

#1

It was a hit out of the gates

Manon debuted in Paris in January 1884 to huge success, followed by shows at major opera houses across Europe and the U.S. Together with Gounod's Faust and Bizet's Carmen, it is still considered one of the cornerstones of French opera. It helps, of course, that it’s not only sung in the language, but set in and around glorious 19th-century Paris—with its colourful central couple either singing duets or appearing together in all five acts.

#2

Its original story was considered scandalous

Based on the 1731 novel L'Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut, the story begins with a beautiful, fun-loving teen being sent to a convent. But before she gets to the destination her parents have chosen, she’s swept off her feet, falling in love at first sight with des Grieux. They elope together, but eventually she’s drawn away from him by the lure of luxury in upper-class Paris—and let’s just say, things don’t end well for her. The original novel was banned for being too scandalous in its depiction of gambling, theft, and prostitution, not to mention its unscrupulous title character. Fun fact: Giacomo Puccini based his Manon Lescaut on the same story—with very different results.

Jules Massenet.

#3

Massenet was prolific

Manon is just one of more than 30 operas written by Massenet, including his famous Werther. Born in 1842 as the son of an ironmonger, he also composed songs, orchestral suites, oratorios, and cantatas. With Manon, he may have been at the peak of his powers; later in his life, his Romantic style fell out of favour.

#4

It’s a chance to watch a star debut the role

Critically lauded American soprano Emily Pogorelc is taking the title role in her debut in Manon; a New York Times article praised her for her “lively, incisive soprano.” This production is a rare chance to catch her in an intimate venue: she’s used to singing at celebrated spots like the Metropolitan Opera, Semperoper Dresden, and Salzburg Osterfestspiele. This is a meaty role for her to bite into, with Manon much more than a femme fatale—flighty, flirtatious, but all too aware of how to acquire power in her time.

#5

It features a Quebec tenor who’s one to watch

Quebec-born Frédéric Antoun, who sings the part of des Grieux, is better known for his interpretations of works by Thomas Adès. He’s brought his radiant tenor to that British composer's The Exterminating Angel at Opéra national de Paris and to his signature role of Caliban in The Tempest at the Wiener Staatsoper and in a buzzed-about version by Robert Lepage at the storied Teatro alla Scala.  

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