Massenet’s opera reappears in this new production by Laurent Pelly, whose previous Donizetti comedies were big hits for the Royal Opera.
In this highlight of French musical romanticism, he once again delivers a show with sharp outlines and strong characterisations, while moving its period from mid-18th century France to the time of the work’s composition - around 1880.
Chantal Thomas’ sets are starker than usual in a piece that often looks like a chocolate box lid, and Pelly’s own costumes, created in collaboration with Jean-Jacques Delmotte, give Anna Netrebko a series of opportunities to look sensational - admittedly not that hard for her.
All the smaller parts are finely sketched in, especially Russell Braun as Manon’s venal cousin Lescaut, and Christophe Mortagne as her rich but malicious admirer Guillot, but the piece relies heavily on the two principals, and they form an outstanding pair. Netrebko rises to this particular challenge with an unbeatable combination of scrupulous acting and immaculate vocalism. In his Covent Garden debut, rising star Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo wins the audience’s hearts with good looks, ardent singing and an eager demeanour that takes on the full tragic dimension of Chevalier des Grieux’s predicament. Between them they generate enough electricity to light up the West End.
Music director Antonio Pappano opens up a lot of cuts, adding to the coherence of the piece, and his fluid, emotionally charged conducting helps steer the show towards the status of a gold-plated triumph for the Royal Opera.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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