English Touring Opera presents
ETO – Puccini: Manon Lescaut
Manon Lescaut is a devastating depiction of a woman wrestling with her desire for love on her own terms, and the rigid double standards imposed on her by society. The opera was a breakthrough smash for Giachino Puccini, composer of the timeless classics La Bohème, Tosca and Madame Butterfly, full of memorable music and heart-breaking drama.
Jude Christian, fresh from a critically acclaimed Titus Andronicus at London’s Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, brings incisive direction and a sharp, poetic new translation to her radical new production, while ETO Music Director Gerry Cornelius conducts.
Performed in English with English surtitles.
Pre-Show Talk
Join members of the ETO creative team for a pre-show talk where they will share insights into this new production of Manon Lescaut. The talk will take place in the auditorium at 6:30PM.
Hear from ETO’s Spring 2024 company about bringing our upcoming tour to life – find out more about English Touring Opera, this season’s creative process, what you can expect from the evening’s performance. Bring along your questions – there will also be a short Q&A to conclude the talk!
“The chorus were in fine lusty voice, and the orchestra under Gerry Cornelius caught the way Puccini’s immortal score flips on a sixpence from tenderness to uproarious energy”
“Jenny Stafford as Manon who really commanded the stage, with impressive ringing top Cs for declarations of undying passion, and interestingly subtle moments”
Telegraph
“The fluid conducting of ETO’s music director, Gerry Cornelius, captures Puccini’s elegance, ardour and shifts of mood”
“Jenny Stafford gains in visceral impact as her voice climbs the stave”
“Gareth Dafydd Morris is a rich-toned Des Grieux”
“As Manon’s brother, Aidan Edwards matches sonority with outstanding diction”
“David Horton makes smart vocal and physical moves as the Dance Master”
The Stage
“Excellent singing by the cast, led by rising soprano Jenny Stafford in the title role [Manon] and tenor Gareth Dafydd Morris as her feckless cavalier Des Grieux”
ReviewsGate
“This one is generously cast with an outstanding chorus of young professional singers”
“Their sound and virtuosity did the composer proud.”
Edward Hawkins [Geronte], vocally excellent”
“Aidan Edwards sang powerfully as Lescaut, Manon’s brother”
“Des Grieux, [Manon’s] lover, Gareth Dafydd Morris had moments of real Italianate push”
Bachtrack
“a strong cast”
“Jenny Stafford [Manon], bright-voiced and appealing as the fickle heroine”
Observer
“Stafford [Manon] has a lovely gleam to her voice, giving heart and muscle to her arias”
The Times
“Plenty of striking vocal moments – notably from Jenny Stafford in the title role [Manon] and Gareth Dafydd Morris as her suitor Des Grieux – along with some zestful, punchy playing from the pit
orchestra conducted by Gerry Cornelius.”
Arts Desk
“Jude Christian’s staging for English Touring Opera is colourful and imaginative”
“Jenny Stafford sings gleamingly as Manon and Gareth Dafydd Morris brings a burnished tenor to Des Grieux”
Guardian
“Jenny Stafford’s charismatic Manon.”
I
“Jenny Stafford is spectacular as Manon”
“Brave and challenging, English Touring Opera continues to bring exceptional and ground-breaking productions”
“I relished its [Manon Lescaut] boldness and its mission statement of intent”
“English Touring Opera really do deliver ‘Opera That Moves”
Outline
Northcott TheatreDiscounts:
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