The story of Manon Lescaut has become part of the European imagination: she is the fun-loving woman who is irresistible to men. Of Massenet's many operas, she inspired the most popular one, and this libretto shows his minute attention to detail in bringing the character and the period to life. This guide opens with a general survey of Massenet's career by the musicologist Gerard Conde, and includes two essays about this particular opera. Professor Hugh Macdonald explores the interplay of speech and song in Manon and Massenet's genius for comedy. Professor Vivienne Mylne traces the sources and context of Prevost's novel. Contents: Massenet, Gerard Conde; A Musical Synopsis, Hugh Macdonald; Prevost and 'Manon Lescaut', Vivienne Mylne; Manon: Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille; Manon: English version by Edmund Tracey

About the Author
Ranked as one of the greatest melodists of his era, Jules Emile Frederic Massenet (1842-1912) was a French composer whose operas fell out of fashion after his death. However, since the mid-1970s, interest has been rekindled.

Reviews
Brilliantly produced and superb value.' * Sunday Times *
All these will provide the new opera-goer with food for thought.' * Daily Telegraph *
Wholehearted recommendation of this valuable new series.' * TLS *



Book Information
ISBN 9780714544267
Author Jules Massenet
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Overture Publishing
Publisher Alma Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 169g