A story about a tragically beautiful woman who is incapable of saying no to love and glamour, Massenet's Manon is built around one of the most captivating and irresistible female roles in the history of opera. Gender roles in the society of the era take centre stage in the story, though the character of Manon is timeless. Across all the different interpretations given since its 1884 premiere - in Paris alone, more than 1,000 performances were held in the first four decades of its existence - the opera's popularity has remained undiminished. With its theatrical and musical scope, its passionate atmosphere and its captivating music, the work was predestined for success.
The American soprano, Lisette Oropesa, celebrated for her electrifying stage presence (and also a keen marathon runner), plays the part of this simple girl who falls into and becomes accustomed to the big wide world, and who meets her love on the way to the monastery in an encounter that will transform both of their lives. You would be hard pressed to identify a more suitable artist to play the role of the courageous Le Chevalier des Grieuxthan than the tenor Michael Fabianó, and not only because the American singer enjoys flying airplanes in his free time… His father in the story will be played by Kwangchul Youn, the South Korean bass who regularly appears at the Metropolitan Opera, while his rival on stage will be played by Carlo Bosi, who frequently makes appearances in major opera venues across the world. The director is Laurent Pelly, one of the most sought-after French theatre and opera directors, while the Italian Maurizio Benini will take to the conductor's pulpit.

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