In September the production moves to Japan for a tour with Anna Netrebko in the title role, Matthew Polenzani as Chevalier Des Grieux and Antonio Pappano conducting.
Manon
Opéra comique in five acts
Music by Jules Massenet
Libretto by Henri Milhac and Philippe Gille
After the novel L'Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by
Abbé Antoine-François Prévost
Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London
Sunday 4. July 2010 1:00 PM
PRODUCTION
Director: Laurent Pelly
Designer: Chantal Thomas
Lighting Designer: Joël Adam
Choreographer: Lionel Hoche
CAST
Manon: Anna Netrebko
Chevalier des Grieux: Vittorio Grigolo
Lescaut: Russell Braun
Comte des Grieux: Christof Fischesser
Guillot de Morfontaine: Guy de Mey
Brétigny: William Shimell
Poussette: Simona Mihai
Javotte: Louise Innes
Rosette: Kai Rüütel
Innkeeper: Lynton Black
Conductor: Antonio Pappano
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Background
Introduction, Synopsis and Characters
Radio Broadcasts
Manon will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 on 10. July 2010 at 6:00 PM local time, 7:00 PM CET.
Personal Report
This weekend I have been in London and I have been lucky enough to be able to attend three fantastic opera performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. First, on Friday 2. July 2010 Elijah Moshinsky's production of Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra", with a super cast starring Plácido Domingo in the title role, Joseph Calleja as Gabriele Adorno, Marina Poplavskaya as Amelia, Ferruccio Furlaneto as Fiesco and Antonio Pappano conducting, then on Saturday 3. July 2010 David McVickar's production of Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro" with Erwin Schrott as Figaro and finally on Sunday 4. July 2010 Laurent Pelly's new production of Massenet's"Manon" starring Anna Netrebko in the title role, the young italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo as Le Chevalier Des Grieux and once again the fabulous Antonio Pappano conducting.
This was my second performance for this new production of "Manon" at the Royal Opera House, as I had also attended the performance on 25. June 2010. Therefore, I was familiar with the details of the sets. I loved the idea to place the set at the end of the 19th Century, The First Act takes place at a square in front of an Inn. Buildings surround the square and large stairs are in front of the stage. The Second Act takes place at a small flat, with a bed and a small table, on the top of the roofs of Paris. The First Scene of the Third act is less impressive, with some ramps crossing the stage from one side to the other. The Second Scene takes place at the church of Saint Sulpice showing also the small appartment for the Chévalier Des Grieux. The set for this Scene were also very nice. The Fourth Act takes place at what looks like an underground casino, without any decoration, simple plane tables and lights, with once again ramps crossing the stage from one side to the other and some stairs between the ramps. A small door is on the top, on the fron of the stage. Guests are dressed for a party and the contratst between the dresses and the place is evident. Finally, sets for the last Fifth Act are quite simple, showing us just an almost void street near Le Havre's Harbour.
Anna Netrebko was Manon! She was so believable since the first moment she comes on stage! Anna was a wildly innocent sixteen girl, avid to get new sensations, open to the world and fascinated by beautifiul dresses and pleasures of life. Vocally she was perfect, always able to trespass the orchestral mass with her high notes, allowing the orchestra to play without any volume restrictions given by the voices. The entrance of Vittorio Grigolo was also stunning. The story of love, passion and tragedy was ready to start and the chemistry between the two singers was evident since the first moment they are together on stage.
On the second Act Anna was a sexy girl living with her Chevalier but eager to live the pleasures of life, pleasures that she cannot get with him. Particularly moving was when she was at the door of their small flat, looking at the small table from the door, and she started to sing "Adieu, notre petite table".
In the first scene of the Third Act Anna was now a rich woman, wearing an dressed light pink dress, and getting all she wants from De Brétigny. The Second Scene, when she mets le Chevalier Des Grieux at Saint Sulpice, is one of my favorites moments of the opera. The temptation scene was superb. Both Anna and Vittorio were performing at their best, both vocally and acting. The audience become crazy at the end of the scene, giving to them a well deserved amount of applauses and "bravi".
The entrance of Anna at the Fourt Act, wearing a fantastic dress, quite similar to the one she had used for the cover of the CD Opera or the Wiener Opernball 2007. The contrast with the nude green walls of the casino, with the lights focussing on her, was spectacular. Following her, Vittorio dressing a frac. Both of them looking gorgeous.
Finally, we arrive to the last Fifth Act, together with the Second Scene of the Third Act one of my favorites moments of the opera. Once again, stunning performance of Anna and Vittorio, absolutely moving dead scene. I ended up with tears in my eyes.
An absoultely stunning performance of "Manon". Aside of Anna and Vittorio, I would like to higlight the superb conducting of Maestro Antonio Pappano. Fabulous sound of the orchestra and chorus. The rest of the cast was also good and I would like to point out the very good performances of Guy de Mey, as Guillot de Morfontaine and Christof Fischesser as Comte Des Grieux.
Strong applauses for, in order of appearance, Vittorio Grigolo, Anna Netrebko and Antonio Pappano. Nevertheless, taking into account the magificent performance we got, I think the audience was a little bit cold.
After the performance, I met Anna at her dressing room and she signed me several outstanding photos from this production.
Press Reviews
[1] Una "Manon" para la Netrebko - By J.M. Irurzun, La Razón 5. Jul 2010
Blog Reports
[1] Aparté: Manon, 4. July 2010
[2] Classical Iconoclast: Massenet "Manon" Royal Opera House, 6. Jul 2010
Photos
Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Erwin Schrott in the background. Manon, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London 4. July 2010. Photo: Anne
Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Manon, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London 4. July 2010. Photo: Anne
Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Manon, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London 4. July 2010. Photo: Anne
Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Manon, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London 4. July 2010. Photo: Anne
Many thanks to all contributors for sharing their photos and to Carlos for his review!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to meet Britta, Nicole, Anne and her husband, Charles, Marie-Antoinette, Anne-Laure, Roxane, Rubén and Estefanía.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Anne-Laure, Marie-Antoinette and Anne for the photos!