The Washington National Opera’s brilliant revival of “Manon Lescaut” demonstrates that as early as 1893, when Giacomo Puccini was writing this, his first popular work, he knew well how to use music to ...

If Puccini knew one thing, it’s that nobody got rich by underestimating the public appetite for sex and seediness. In order to make his mark on the operatic world he took the bold decision to ...

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025-26 season of Saturday matinee radio broadcasts continues with Puccini’s Manon Lescaut.

It's set in early 18th Century France—and Louisiana. Puccini felt that he could bring true Italian passion to the tale, and indeed he did. Though it’s an early work, it contains much of the rich, ...

Kristine Opolais in Act 2 of ‘Manon Lescaut’ (all photos by Ken Howard, courtesy Metropolitan Opera) (click to enlarge) The Met’s new production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, directed by Richard Eyre, ...

First impressions are important, but they shouldn't lead to snap judgment. It is usually wiser to stop and think, but in the world of opera – especially Puccini – lovers tend to fall in love at first ...

The past is a deadly weapon.

Death on the highway: Kristine Opolais's Manon and Jonas Kaufmann's Des Grieux in 'Manon Lescaut'All images by Bill Cooper Why the small modern flats or hotel rooms above the casino of Act One (the ...