Massenet - Manon / Fleming, Alvarez, Vernhes, Chaignaud, Lopez-Cobos, Paris Opera

Description

This DVD introduces a production by Gilbert Deflo, which had its first performance at the Bastille opera in Paris in June 1997, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos. It was an unforgettable experience thanks to the splendid historical costumes by William Orlando, the minimal décor, the sophisticated lighting as well as the musical excellence of the performers. It was also due to the charisma of Renée Fleming; she confessed in an interview, "I think Manon is my favorite role. I love French music, it is so elegant and delicate stylistically. It has both dramatic and lyrical elements." Marcelo Alvarez was brilliant in the role of the Chevalier des Grieux, and among the other artists were Jean-Luc Chaignaud as Lescaut, Alain Vernhes as the Comte des Grieux, Michel Sénéchal as Guillot de Morfontaine and the choir and orchestra of l'Opéra de Paris.

Customer Reviews:

Vive Manon!.......2007-03-29

Superbly sung and beautifully produced stage version of "Manon". Renee Fleming is in divine voice and looks ravishing in the various costumes. Her impeccable French phrasing is a joy to behold. Marcelo Alvarez is a wonderful singer. The costumes and set are perfect. Not too outlandish or overdone. Sound and picture quality are excellent. The camera people did an outstanding job of filming this live show. The audience is clearly appreciative of what they witnessed that evening. Highly recommended.

sad but beautiful..........2006-11-17

The opera of melancholy, and that's Massenet and I love it! And oh,
I'm a Fleming fan, also I like Alvarez. This Manon is preferable to
Puccini's prolonged piece--
so it's heartbreakingly recommended...

Exquisite Manon: Fleming & Alvarez in top form.......2006-05-26

The first time I saw this performance was actually on the big screen for it was a part of an opera-festival in Vienna. My memories weren't deceiving me here. Not since the days of de los Angeles (Still a fave) have I been as enchanted with a Manon. Renee Fleming portrays both the innocent girl as well as the corrupted seductress perfectly. Her voice is like a sensual perfume, gorgeous, warm and bursting with colours and emnotions. (I don't get much of Manon's corruption & cunning from de los Angeles, Freni or Cotrubas. Sills on the other hand manages a balance of supreme artistry but her voice is less luxurious than Fleming's) Manon is not an innocent with a pretty sweet voice, Manon is first of all a weak, greedy & seductive woman. (Her innocence is soon gone) & Fleming portrays that with luxurious colours, wonderful FRench diction (de los Angeles & Vallin beat her there though) and exquisite pacing. Her costumes are GORGEOUS & fittingly garish (For a courtesan) as is her make-up. I also love that she's not stick-thin but has womanly curves, in the 18th century they preferred women like that btw.

Alvarez is even better when it comes to the French style, yet his acting (Vocal & physical) is a bit wooden, maybe on purpose, 'cause the role ain't a seducer. He's brilliant in the church-scene, exquisite in the final scene where he phrases emotionally & sings with a gorgeous timbre that so fits des Grieux's nature.

The production is lovely, no Euro-Trash anywhere. Lopez Cobos, a veteran, conducts with fire & style, the rest of the cast is great as well. A must buy for Fleming fans & beyond.

Simply gorgeous!.......2006-05-09

This is an amazingly beautiful production in a not-at-all attractive opera house! Manon is simply another role that the great Renee Fleming owns, and everyone else in the cast is breathtaking as well! Along with the recording, this DVD is just stunning! Everything about this production is simply gorgeous! Certainly a must-see!

Beautiful singing.......2006-01-15

Marcelo Alvarez and Renee Fleming sing gorgeously in this video. Fleming falls into her bad habits of sliding down on notes and other sloppy behavior, but occasionally it is interesting and then sometimes it is downright annoying. For me, her beautiful voice outweighs the negatives in this recording.

Fleming's acting is vulgar. She relies on a particular grimace, which seems insincere and ugly.

Alvarez has the one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard and he sings perfectly. I'm not sure exactly what the stage people were trying to achieve with his hairdo, but I am pretty sure they failed nonetheless. The Lescaut sang very well and everbody else was acceptable, except the father of Des Grieux, who was nothing to write home about. Made me long for the old video of Manon with Beverly Sills and a young Samuel Ramey singing the old Des Grieux.

The sets and costumes are pretty nice, except for a few hair debacles. All in all, a good recording.

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