Puccini: Manon Lescaut

Flemish Opera Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, soliści, Varviso, Silvio

DVD 100224

Puccini's third opera and first hit, Manon Lescaut, has one of his most doomed pairs of lovers: the plot of Prevost's novella is simplified almost to breaking point so as to provide a few intense scenes connected by tenuous logic. Miriam Gauci is heart-breaking and at times funny as Manon, a young woman genuinely torn between the love of her life and her big chance: this is the tragedy of a woman who thinks she can play more games with the world than the world of love and power will let her, and ends up broken. Antonio Ordonez is a solid, reliable Des Grieux who only really gets the character's mad passion in the scenes of disillusion and tragedy. Jan Danckaert does more than usual with the equivocal part of Lescaut, Manon's brother and quasi-pimp--he conveys genuinely conflicting emotions and real charm. Jules Bastin turns the cuckolded Geronte into a figure of real menace: for once, it is credible that to trifle with this man means the dire consequences that ensue. Silvio Varviso works miracles with the Flemish Opera orchestra and chorus--this 1991 performance has a real intensity and opulence partly because the production does not just concentrate on the principals.

DVD x 1

Arthaus

9/10/01

4006680102245