Description: Giacomo Puccini's ultimate story of youth and love. Director Gian Carlo Menotti gave Manon Lescaut a sense of humor, eye-catching invention, and sex appeal. Starring Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Pablo Elvira, Renato Capecchi. Conducted by James Levine. Recorded March 29, 1980, at the Metropolitan Opera. 134 minutes. Cast:
Chevalier Des Grieux: Placido Domingo Manon Lescaut: Renata Scotto Geronte de Ravoir: Renato Capecchi Lescaut: Pablo Elvira Conductor: James Levine Director: Gian Carlo Menotti Set and Costume Designer: Desmond Heeley Lighting Designer: Gil Wechsler
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Renata Scotto is wonderful!
I have recently been on a "Manon Lescaut" kick--having watched this
version of the opera, the Kiri/Domingo version, and the recent Met
production starring Karita Mattila.
I watched Renata Scotto in this dvd of the opera last night and just
loved it! She was a WONDERFUL Manon--the entire Act II was especially
enjoyable, as was Act IV. Scotto is a great actress, as well as having
a beautiful voice, and she seemed to really sink her teeth into the part.
For me, this performance was equal, though different, from the Kiri Te Kanawa "Manon Lescaut". It is true, ... Read More
Rating: - WOW
This is my favorite opera production. I consider it to be one of the greatest ever (as did Domingo). Occasionally there is a camera problem, but it's minor. This is a sexy opera and the stars give it right back to us. Yes, I prefer Freni (my goddess) than Scotto, but Scotto makes up her vocal shrillness with her incredible acting. This is a must see for Manon lovers and I can't wait to see it next year live at Seattle Opera.
Enjoy, friends!
Rating: - Glorious
I dislike reviewers (or anyone else) who use expressions like "must have," "must read" or "buy it!"! The first two expressions are just in, and I'll buy what it pleases me to buy. But Manon. This I thought was glorious music gloriously sung and acted to within an inch of its life by everyone involved. Manon has always been one of my favorite operas, this is the first time I've seen it, and I doubt I'll watch it again, nothing happens, I'll just listen to the CDs. I only had 2 objections. Scotto and Domingo were both a bit long in the tooth for their roles which to me anyway was very hard to take, ... Read More
Rating: - Great Production, Poor Video
"A woman like Manon can have more than one lover", this is a statement made by Puccini when he decided to write his opera of "Manon", facing the already universally successful "Manon" by his French predecessor Massenet. Distinctively, he brought out his Manon with innocence, vanity, and cupidity, and Des Grieux, Manon's passionate lover, with Italian blood. There is an abrupt jump from Act I to Act II, which may result in discontinuity of Manon's characters, as well as her love to Des Grieux. But as it goes on and as Puccini's music gets more deeply into the agony of the lovers, it gets better. In ... Read More
Rating: - The Singing is Not Very Good
I have contributed this video to the library because I couldn't stand the singing. Both leads sing uncharacteristically but consistently flat in the early part of the opera. The chorus is limp and other minor parts are are sung with too much wobble to be distinct. The strongest part of the singing is the excellent Lescaut of Pablo Elvira, but it just isn't a big enough part to make up for the rest. The orchestra plays well and the last two parts of the opera are well staged.
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