Product ReviewsManon Lescaut (DVD)

One of Puccini's best!

Great story line and gorgeous music!

A beautiful young girl, Manon Lescaut, while being sent to a convent by her family, meets Des Grieux, the man of her dreams. They fall in love and run away to Paris. (What could possibly go wrong with the theme "they fall in love and run away to Paris?") But alas, it turns out that Des Grieux has little money, so Manon (a gold digger ahead of her time) eventually "trades up" to a wealthy older man and enjoys luxury beyond her wildest imagination. But, in true operatic form, Manon realizes that Des Grieux is her true love and steals a moment with him in her benefactor's home. The benefactor finds out and, following an ugly scene where Manon tries to flee his home with some of the jewels he has given her, he has Manon deported to Louisiana. (Louisiana?) At the last minute, Des Grieux jumps aboard the boat with her so they can be together. The final act has the two lovers traipsing through the desert (in Louisiana!) looking for food and water. Manon isn't well, and the farewell scene defines her as a classic Puccini heroine .... a long, passionate, beautiful song as a prelude to taking a weak, feeble last breath. Sigh.

This version of Manon Lescaut is my favorite. Placido Domingo is superb as Des Grieux, Renae Scotto shines as Manon, and you absolutely can't go wrong with James Levine conducting at the Met. Funny moments, tender moments, predictable tragic moments ... Manon Lescaut has it all. (Well, everything but the Viking helmets, but that's OK.)

Despite the very puzzling wandering-through-the-desert-in-Louisiana moments, this is truly enjoyable opera ... not to be missed by opera fans, and very palatable for the novice.Read full review...

brilliantly proformed.

The entire cast, the production itself and the conductor.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: trahof52

Ah, Manon! So fickle!

Yes, this is definitely 5 stars in every respect. Staging, music, costumes, singing, sets, and acting. I would prefer a few more subtitles but thats just me.
Much of the music recalls Boheme.