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Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Sinopoli, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Allen, Royal Opera Covent Garden Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 13 Reviews)

Great in parts, not so in others
I found more black and white in this performance than most of the reviewers here. Acts 3 and 4 were glorious. Kiri te Kanawa and Domingo knock sparks off eachother on stage. Domingo lives the part and brings out the very best in Kiri who, for once, acts instead of looking at herself in the mirror. It seems that when Manon is reduced to rags, Kiri sheds her affectations and sings from the heart. Sinopoli's conducting is outstanding. He manages to make you listen to this potentially-hackneyed work with new ears, finding an untrodden path without sounding perverse or self-conscious. Speeds are generally fast, articulation still clear.
But most of the first two acts I found dragged a little. Maybe Puccini takes some of the blame, but to me the supporting cast, after Allen and the two principals, was underpowered. When Domingo isn't on stage, the temperature drops ten degrees, even Te Kanawa going into suspended animation. Acting in the crowd scenes is rather wooden, direction earthbound.
Through it all the orchestra shines. For that, and the last two acts, this is well worth watching.


Great Opera
Manon Lescaut is one of those operas that has all the elements to be a classic. Beautiful music, poignant story and a tragic end. And of course, it is Puccini's! true that it is not his best one. But not because he was not done his best but because he was still walking towards his perfection in style that would achieve later with Tosca or Turandot.

The story based on a novel by I'Abbe Prevost, was a popular example of the moral novels of the XVIIIth. A young girl who in her way to the convent scapes kidnapping by an old noble, with the help of her ambitious brother, and run away with a young poet. To be later the lover of that old aristocrat till her love appears again. In revenge she is imprisioned and sent to the French colony of Florida. Des Grieux, her lover, follow her and she ends tragically in the swamps of Florida.

So with this dramatic story Puccini creates a beautiful opera. A beauty that starts since the first act to get its peak in the third and ends in that dramatic end. Sinopoli was a wonderful director. His conducting was powerful and energetic, but , when is required also tender. Only watching him is an spectacle by itself. The way the orchestra plays the prelude is one of those that make you cry, literally.

And about the singers I think the cast is excellent. Ok, I admit I always like Placido Domingo, even when I should not. But here he is perfect. He has the voice, the looks, the manners to be the perfect Des Grieux. . When he sings "Donna non vidi mai" you suddenly understand why people like opera. Listing to him is a pleasure.

About Kiri Te Kanawa I am sure that although those who think she is a light soprano must admit she sings here beautifully. How she changes from the first act to the end is something that only she could have done. About her flawless, well I consider that a matter of opinion. She shows an splendid technique and evidently she is not Callas. But who is? Her clarity, and emotion is something to be considered. It is not that she was worse or better , they have different ways to approach to the character. And I find her Manon still the best.,above Ms Fleming's, Ms Frenni's or whoever. Because here she had found the perfect balance between performing and singing and that is always something difficult to accomplish.

This production is perfect. I admit I prefer classic productions for this kind of operas. Everything is perfect although I guess that the edition of this dvd it is not as good as it should. I remember watching this opera live from the Covent Garden on tv and the coulours were a little bit stronger. But even with that I think it is a dvd that a good opera aficionado should have or even if you are not. It is easy to fall under the spell of opera after watching this production.



This Manon Lescaut is a winner!
I would like to add my voice to all those who praised this Covent Garden production with its marvellous cast and wonderful sets. It is beautifully filmed with just enough close-ups and long views of the hall to give you a feeling of being there, and I wish I had been there! The stars' singing is superb and so is their acting. They are very believable in their roles. High praise also to the supporting cast and the orchestra. I am very glad that I bought it.

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