"Manon is a heroine
I believe in and therefore she cannot
fail to win the heart of the public."
So said Puccini to his publisher Ricordi
in 1889. This statement turned out to
be highly prophetic, since none of Puccini’s
other world successes were received
on their first night as rapturously
as Manon Lescaut. It was the first example
of the dramatic excellence of its composer,
and this opera was to pave the way for
his later successes: Madama Butterfly,
La Bohème and Tosca.
We have here the highly
acclaimed production by Götz Friedrich
mounted at Covent Garden and sung by
two of our greatest contemporary operatic
superstars, Kiri Te Kanawa and Placido
Domingo. This recording is directed
by Humphrey Burton which ensures that
the visual and dramatic impact of the
production will be delivered in a thoroughly
accurate and appropriate way.
Unlike many DVD opera
issues which are totally hampered by
stupid, inappropriate sets and costumes
which totally ruin the work of the artists,
this production is a model of what a
good opera on DVD should be. Manon is
set in the appropriate costumes for
its period (18th Century
France) and, apart from a fairly modern-looking
Louisiana desert scene, I have nothing
but praise for these aspects of the
production.
Sinopoli paces the
drama very effectively and the Royal
Opera Orchestra can take on any competition
and come up smiling.
The two stars deliver
what is now expected of them, and these
two lovely voices whether separate or
together, greatly enhance the pleasure.
There are no weak members in the remainder
of the cast, and the whole opera is
a delight from start to finish.
Manon was a youthful
work, but still betrays the influences
that formed Puccini’s mature style.
Wagner’s harmonic language is there
(particularly of Tristan) whilst the
closing of Act I is reminiscent of middle-period
Verdi. Other influences are also clearly
evident such as Ponchielli. This is
to be expected in an early work as the
composer tries out different styles
while his own mature style is slowly
developing.
Without actually trying
to spot the various examples of developing
styles the opera can be enjoyed immensely
on its own terms; both lyrical and dramatic
in equal measure. Act III is an almost
perfectly realised large structure with
Manon and her fellow prisoners paraded
before the public. It is perhaps one
of the highlights of the score.
The last Act is a bit
of an anti-climax, set in the Louisiana
desert, but even so, there is clear
evidence of Puccini’s increasing skill
at creating a believable drama out of
what is, after all, a fairly simple
tale.
This DVD is a very
good addition to the catalogue, and
likely to be enjoyed by all who watch
it.
John Phillips
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Covent Garden/Giuseppe Sinopoli. 
WARNER
50466-7174-2 [1 DVD: 130 minutes] 