(By arrangement with Miss Florence Glossop-Harris)
A Dramatic Opera in Five Acts. The music is by Jules Massenet, the libretto by H. Meilhac and P. Gille, after Marcel Prevost'sS 'Manon Lescaut.' The opera was first produced at the Opera Comique, Paris, in January, 1884.
The English version used by the British National Opera Company is one specially prepared for them by Mr. Edward Agate. The Producer is Mr. Frederick Austin.
First performance by the British National Opera Company.
Relayed from The Theatre Royal, Glasgow
The Cast is as follows:
During intervals between the Acts, Maud Gill will give Readings from the Birmingham Studio.
Act I
THE scene is the courtyard of an inn at Amiens in 1821. Guillot de Morfontaine, Minister of Finance (Bass) and de Bretigny, a nobleman (Baritone) have just arrived. Lescaut, of the Royal Guard (Baritone) comes up in a coach. He is awaiting Manon, his cousin (Soprano), whom he is to take to a convent school. She soon arrives, and Guillot approaches her and hints that he would like to make her further acquaintance. After a little, the Chevalier des Grieux (Tenor) enters. He instantly falls in love with Manon, and they run away to Paris in Guillot's coach.
ACT II
The scene is the new home of des Grieux and Manon, in Paris. He writes to his father, asking that he may marry Manon.
Lescaut and de Bretigny enter, the latter disguised as a soldier. Lescaut asks if des Grieux will marry Manon, and the young man shows the letter he has just written. De Bretigny privately tells Manon that her ]over's father is shocked at his son's conduct, and intends to have him waylaid and taken away. He also tells her that she can have a far finer home than this, if she wishes. After the two visitors have gone there is a noise outside. It is made by the men who have been sent to abduct Manon's lover. The love of pleasure prevails, and she says nothing to warn him. Des Grieux goes out, is seized and carried off.
ACT III
Scene 1 is a pleasure park on a felc day. Manon is walking with her new lover, Bretigny. The old Count des Grieux (Bass), father of her former lover, enters and tells Bretigny that his son is about to take holy orders. Manon decides to go to him.
Scene 2 is the Parlour of the Seminary of St. Sulpice. The elder des Grieux tries unsuccessfully to dissuade his son from becoming a priest. But Manon wins him from his purpose.
ACT IV
A gambling house in Paris. Manon and des Grieux enter, and Manon, who is in need of money, encourages her lover to play for high stakes. He does so, and wins much money from Guillot. After a while, the chagrined loser accuses des Grieux of cheating, and summons the police, who arrest the lovers.
ACT V
The scene is the road to Havre. Des Grieux has been tried, with Manon, and freed, but she has been condemned to exile. Des Grieux sadly awaits, with Lescaut, the coining of the prisoners, on their way to the port of embarkation. They enter, Manon among them. The guards, bribed, allow the exhausted girl to remain behind whilst the others are urged on their way. She utters her farewell to her lover, and dies in his arms.