Puccini began to compose Manon Lescaut in 1889. It was an act of supreme bravado as only five years previously Massenet had premiered Manon, based on the same novel by Abbé Prévost. The story is set in France and Louisiana in the early 18th century and focuses – in a way different from Massenet – on the fortunes and tragedy of the hero, the Chevalier des Grieux, and his lover, Manon. Its ceaseless melodic beauty and drama were recognised immediately and the first night was an overwhelming triumph, with Puccini effectively anointed as Verdi’s successor and Italy’s greatest operatic composer.

Ninety years after its 1893 premiere in Turin, the work was staged by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The 1983 production was conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli, making his British operatic debut to such remarkable effect that The Times referred to him as ‘Europe’s most spectacular new opera star’. The cast included three of the greatest exponents of their roles; Plácido Domingo as the romantic hero whose performance ‘was a cause for drop-jawed wonder’ (The Spectator), the radiant Kiri Te Kanawa as Manon and Thomas Allen as her brother, Lescaut. Director Götz Friedrich’s largely traditional staging proved a major theatrical success.

“Plácido Domingo’s magnificent singing as Des Grieux was cause for drop-jawed wonder” – The Spectator

“Conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli is one of the opera world's hottest properties – he sets scores ablaze” – The Times

Cast:
- Edmondo: Robin Leggate
- The Innkeeper: George McPherson
- Chevalier des Grieux: Plácido Domingo
- Lescaut: Thomas Allen
- Manon Lescaut: Kiri Te Kanawa
- Geronte di Ravoir: Forbes Robinson
- Madrigal: Singer Anna Cooper
- Dancing Master: John Fryatt
- Sergeant of Archers: Handel Thomas
- Lamplighter: Mark Curtis
- Sergeant of Soldiers: Paschal Allen
- A Naval Captain: Roderick Earle

Director: Götz Friederich
Designer: Günter Schneider-Siemssen
Costumes: Aliute Meczies
Stage lighting: Robert Bryan
Dances: Romayne Grigorova
Directed for the screen by Humphrey Burton

Duration: approx. 128 minutes
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, JP