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© Wiener Staatsoper
Manon Lescaut
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April 2027 | ||||||
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Manon Lescaut – Giacomo Puccini | Opera
Lyric drama in four acts
after Abbé Prévost
Language: Italian
About the work
When Manon arrives in Amiens, she meets Des Grieux and immediately falls deeply in love with him. Despite their escape to Paris to begin a life together, Manon’s desire for luxury and wealth becomes her downfall.
She leaves Des Grieux for the wealthy Geronte, but soon regrets her decision and flees again with Des Grieux. Their love is put to a harsh test when Manon is arrested and deported to America. Des Grieux follows her, but their story ends in tragedy as Manon dies in his arms in the wilderness.
Act 1 & 2 – approx. 75 minutes
Interval – approx. 25 minutes
Act 3 & 4 – approx. 50 minutes
Storyline
Act 1
Manon, a beautiful young girl from the provinces, is to be taken to a convent by her brother Lescaut. The student Des Grieux falls in love with her at first sight. Geronte, a rich old man, is also impressed by Manon and plans to kidnap her.
Edmondo informs his friend Des Grieux of Geronte's intentions. After Des Grieux has confessed his love for Manon, they flee together. Lescaut assures Geronte that Manon will soon be fed up with her life of poverty and will voluntarily turn to Geronte and his wealth.
Act 2
Lescaut's prophecies have come true: Manon has left Des Grieux to lead a life of wealth alongside Geronte.
However, she tells Lescaut, her brother, that Des Grieux's new-found wealth is not worth it. Geronte flaunts Manon to some of his friends. Manon is surprised by Des Grieux. He reproaches her greatly for having left him.
When she begs for forgiveness, he falls under her spell again. However, the passionate lovers are barely reunited when Geronte returns unexpectedly. Manon ridicules Geronte, who then leaves, swearing revenge.
Des Grieux urges Manon to flee immediately, but she is unable to part with the luxury of her new life. Lescaut appears and warns them that Geronte intends to have Manon imprisoned. In her desperate attempt to take as many jewels, clothes and money as possible with her on her escape, she hesitates too long: Geronte appears and has her imprisoned.
Act 3
Des Grieux' and Lescaut's plan to free Manon fails.
Manon's humiliation and disgrace are now revealed: she is to be deported. Des Grieux, who is almost obsessed with her, manages to be allowed to accompany her.
Act 4
Des Grieux and the dying Manon find themselves in a wasteland.
At Manon's request, Des Grieux sets off in search of water. Left alone, she reviews her life and recognizes her mistakes. When Des Grieux returns, she confesses her love for him and dies in his arms.
Program and cast
Manon Lescaut: Elena Stikhina
Chevalier René Des Grieux: Vittorio Grigolo
Conductor: Giacomo Sagripanti
Staging and lighting: Robert Carsen
Set and costume design: Antony McDonald
Choreography: Philippe Giraudeau
Dramaturgy: Ian Burton
Vienna State Opera
Public Transport
Subway lines: U1, U2, U4
Trams: 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Buses: 59A
Local Railway: Badner Bahn
Stops: Karlsplatz / Opera
Taxi stands are available nearby.
Parking
Parking is only € 6, - for eight hours!
The Wiener Staatsoper and the ÖPARK Kärntner Ring Garage on Mahlerstraße 8, under the “Ringstraßengalerien”, offer the patrons of the Vienna State Opera a new, reduced parking fee. You can park in the Kärntner Ring Garage for up to 8 hours and pay only a flat fee of € 6, -. Just validate your ticket at one of the discount machines inside the Wiener Staatsoper. The normal rate will be charged for parking time greater than 8 hours. The validation machines can be found at the following coat checks: Operngasse, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, and the right and left and balcony galleries.
Important: In order to get the discount, please draw a ticket and do not use your credit card when entering the garage!
After devaluing your ticket in the Wiener Staatsoper you can pay comfortably by credit card or cash at the vending machines.
The machines accept coins and bills up to 50.- Euro. Parking time longer than 8 hours will be charged at the normal rate.
History
The structure of the opera house was planned by the Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg, while the inside was designed by interior decorator Eduard van der Nüll. It was also impacted by other major artists such as Moritz von Schwind, who painted the frescoes in the foyer, and the famous "Zauberflöten" (“Magic Flute”) series of frescoes on the veranda. Neither of the architects survived to see the opening of ‘their’ opera house: the sensitive van der Nüll committed suicide, and his friend Sicardsburg died of a stroke soon afterwards.
On May 25, 1869, the opera house solemnly opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The popularity of the building grew under the artistic influence of the first directors: Franz von Dingelstedt, Johann Herbeck, Franz Jauner, and Wilhelm Jahn. The Vienna opera experienced its first high point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. He completely transformed the outdated performance system, increased the precision and timing of the performances, and also utilized the experience of other noteworthy artists, such as Alfred Roller, for the formation of new stage aesthetics.
The years 1938 to 1945 were a dark chapter in the history of the opera house. Under the Nazis, many members of the house were driven out, pursued, and killed, and many works were not allowed to be played.
On March 12, 1945, the opera house was devastated during a bombing, but on May 1, 1945, the “State Opera in the Volksoper” opened with a performance of Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. On October 6, 1945, the hastily restored “Theaters an der Wien” reopened with Beethoven's FIDELIO. For the next ten years the Vienna State Opera operated in two venues while the true headquarters was being rebuilt at a great expense.
The Secretary of State for Public Works, Julius Raab, announced on May 24, 1945, that reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera would begin immediately. Only the main facade, the grand staircase, and the Schwind Foyer had been spared from the bombs. On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera reopened with a new auditorium and modernized technology. Under the direction of Karl Böhm, Beethoven’s FIDELIO was brilliantly performed, and the opening ceremonies were broadcast by Austrian television. The whole world understood that life was beginning again for this country that had just regained its independence.
Today, the Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world; in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. It has been under the direction of Dominique Meyer since September 1, 2010.
© Wiener Staatsoper
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