Manon Lescaut, Puccini‘s first major success, is a work of impassioned emotions based on the 18th-century novel by Abbé Prévost, depicting the doomed infatuation of Chevalier des Grieux for beautiful, fun-loving Manon. Puccini clothes the story in warmly passionate music that makes a direct appeal to the listener‘s emotions. “Manon”, wrote Puccini to his publisher Giulio Ricordi in 1889, “is a heroine I believe in and therefore she cannot fail to win the heart of the public.” This turned out to be a truly prophetic statement since none of Puccini’s other world successes were received on their first nights as rapturously as Manon Lescaut. The popularity of Puccini’s great masterpiece has never waned and the production at the Chemnitz Opera House was hailed as “a magnificent event” and “ moments we go to the opera for.”

Conception by Dietrich Hilsdorf

“A magnificent event!” Opernglas

“A really powerful scene […] just before the end. These are the moments we go to the opera for.” Deutschlandradio Kultur

“Astrid Weber as Manon is first class!” Opernwelt