The journey from youthful naiveté to maturity, from material ambition to tragic downfall, is treated in grand opera tradition in Manon. The late-19th-century opera by Jules Massenet, with its lyrical arias and duets, will be presented by Eastman School of Music’s Eastman Opera Theatre on March 31 and April 1 through 3.
Massenet’s work traces the tragic story of the beautiful Manon, a sheltered young woman headed for the convent, who is diverted by “love at first sight” for the charming and chivalrous Des Grieux. Her impetuousness continues when, lured by a life of luxury, she deserts Des Grieux. Manon enjoys the high life and attentions of men, but regrets her decision when she encounters Des Grieux again. The lovers reunite but Manon, still craving wealth, convinces Des Grieux to gamble. The two are arrested and Manon, remorseful and repentant, dies on her way to deportation.
“The opera Manon observes the life of two young lovers as they negotiate through a social climate of 18th century France that demands strong moral and family responsibility,” said Steven Daigle, chair of Eastman’s Voice and Opera Department and stage director for production. “The young Manon, a disobedient young merchant class 15-year-old, wants all that the world can give her – fame, fortune and stature. Des Grieux, a morally conscious young aristocrat, sees Manon and is overtaken with a passion that defies any responsibility to his family honor. As we observe Manon and Des Grieux’s class distinctions add to the complexity of their tragic fate, we realize that the changing political and social climates of Europe have perpetuated the ill-fated conclusion of the story. The composer Massenet has fully embraced the historical period, passion of young love, and character distinctions found in the story of Manon by way of his composition. Eastman’s production will offer all the grandeur, passion, and heartfelt emotions that one expects when hearing and seeing an epic work of the operatic repertoire.”
Manon‘s passionate music and opulent orchestration have made it a favorite of sopranos from Beverly Sills to Renée Fleming. An opéra comique, with spoken dialogue between arias, Manon will be presented in the original French with English supertitles.
A demanding and large-scale production, Manon will have two alternating casts for the opera’s 14 individual singing roles and more than 30 singers in the chorus. An orchestra of 56 Eastman School of Music musicians will perform under conductor Benton Hess in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
The set for Eastman Opera Theatre’s production of Manon, depicting old buildings with cracked walls, reflects the opera’s setting in the mid-18th century, when the French regime was itself crumbling in the years leading up to the French Revolution.
Manon will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 3. Reserved seating tickets are $15 to $35 (discounts with UR ID) and are available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office in the Eastman East Wing, 433 East Main St.; by phone (585) 454-2100; or online at esm.rochester.edu/concerts. There will be pre-performance lectures one hour before the opera on April 1, 2, and 3.
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Thursday, March 31
Eastman Opera Theatre: Massenet: Manon
7:30 p.m.
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.
Tickets: Available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, Eastman East Wing, 433 East Main St., by phone, 585-454-2100; by fax, 585-454-7885; or online at www.esm.rochester.edu/concerts/tickets.php (discounts to University of Rochester or student ID holders)
Friday, April 1
Eastman Opera Theatre: Massenet: Manon
7:30 p.m.
Kodak all at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.
Tickets: Available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, Eastman East Wing, 433 East Main St., by phone, 585-454-2100; by fax, 585-454-7885; or online at www.esm.rochester.edu/concerts/tickets.php (discounts to University of Rochester or student ID holders)
Pre-performance lecture starts one hour before show time.
Saturday, April 2
Eastman Opera Theatre: Massenet: Manon
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, Eastman East Wing, 433 East Main St., by phone, 585-454-2100; by fax, 585-454-7885; or online at www.esm.rochester.edu/concerts/tickets.php (discounts to University of Rochester or student ID holders)
Pre-performance lecture starts one hour before show time.
Sunday, April 3
Eastman Opera Theatre: Massenet: Manon
2 p.m.
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.
Tickets: Available at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, Eastman East Wing, 433 East Main St., by phone, 585-454-2100; by fax, 585-454-7885; or online at www.esm.rochester.edu/concerts/tickets.php (discounts to University of Rochester or student ID holders)
Pre-performance lecture starts one hour before show time.
Alyssa Doggett is one of two Eastman sopranos alternating in the lead of "Manon." (Photograph by WalterColleyImages.com)