Manon Lescaut

In the organizer's words:

Lyrical drama in four acts by Giacomo Puccini

Music theater
Marguerre Hall

Text by Ruggero Leoncavallo, Marco Praga, Domenico Oliva, Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa, Giulio Ricordi, Giuseppe Adami and Giacomo Puccini based on the "Histoire du Chevalier Des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut" by Abbé Prévost / in Italian with German surtitles
[Recommended for ages 15 and up]

Torn between romantic love and a luxurious life, Manon Lescaut gradually drifts towards an abyss. The comfort of the home of the older and socially highly respected Geronte de Ravoir competes with the sincere love of the student Renato Des Grieux. Geronte accuses Manon of theft and expels her to America. But even there she is unable to build a happy life alongside Des Grieux, who is forced to accompany Manon.

Eight librettists, including the librettist himself and his publisher Ricordi, were involved in the creation of the libretto based on the novel by Abbé Prévost published in 1731. But the sometimes grueling work was worth it: the premiere in Turin in 1893 was a great success and marked Giacomo Puccini's long-awaited international breakthrough as an opera composer.

As part of theater+, selected performances will be held with audio description in German.