Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its season opening, in which the irresistible lure of money seduces the beautiful Manon, triggering her downfall. But true love is her redemption in this soulful opera by the composer of La bohème, Madame Butterfly andTurandot. Manon Lescaut was Puccini's third opera and his first major success. Defending his work against another opera based on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, Puccini said, "Manon is a heroine I believe in, and therefore she cannot fail to win the hearts of the public. Why shouldn't there be two operas about Manon? A woman like Manon can have more than one lover." He added, "Massenet feels it as a Frenchman, with powder and minuets. I shall feel it as an Italian, with a desperate passion."
Soprano Kelly Kaduce (Madame Butterfly, Turandot) stars in the title role with tenor Dinyar Vania, who makes his Minnesota Opera debut as her star-crossed lover, Chevalier des Grieux. This Washington National Opera production, called "impassioned, sensual" by The Baltimore Sun, was designed by John Pascoe (debut). Michael Cavanagh (Tosca) directs and Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie (Anna Bolena, Turandot) conducts.Videos