MANON

The global debut of “Manon” in 1884 marked the pinnacle of Jules Massenet’s career as a composer, achieving great success both in his native France and internationally. The audience was captivated from the outset by the diverse range of musical forms and textures, transitioning from grand scenes to segments evoking an intimate chamber play. Each brief scene was imbued with a unique, multi-layered atmosphere, blending elements of genre painting, comedy, and tender tragedy. In contrast to the novel, Massenet enhances the enigmatic allure of the beguiling Manon, a young wife torn between love and opulence. Andrei Serban’s production embraces the score’s rhythm and employs projections to transition from expansive stage views to crisp close-ups seamlessly. In a particularly innovative move, mirrors are occasionally used to expand the stage’s visual space ingeniously.