Product Details

• Actors: Kiri Te Kanawa, Plácido Domingo, Thomas Allen, Forbes Robinson, Robin Leggate
• Directors: Brian Large
• Writers: Abbé Prévost
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: June 29, 1999
• Run Time: 129 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305490287
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,999 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Placido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa were in top form vocally when this performance was recorded in 1984; Sinopoli's conducting is energetic and stylistically distinctive, and the staging strikes the proper notes of elegance in the early scenes and pathos in the tragic conclusion. This is not the only good video recording of Puccini's first masterpiece, but it ranks with the best.

Manon Lescaut is the story of a beautiful young woman who goes astray en route to a convent and drifts into life of self-indulgence, sexual exploitation, and crime, leading to her death as a convict, a story full of operatic situations. It inspired two operas in the standard repertoire, Puccini's and Massenet's earlier Manon. Puccini took a big risk going mano a mano with Massenet, but it worked; he did not eclipse Massenet, but this work gave his career a major boost. This production shows why it has captivated so many audiences. --Joe McLellan

Product Description

"Manon," wrote Puccini to his publisher Giulio Ricordi in 1889, "is a heroine I believe in and therefore she cannot fail to win the heart of the public." This statement turned out to be truly prophetic since no other world successes were received on their first nights as rapturously as Manon Lescaut. The popularity of Puccini's great masterpiece has never waned and the highly acclaimed Gotz Friedrich production at Covent Garden was hailed as an operatic milestone. Two of the world's leading stars, Placido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa head a strong cast which is supported by the brilliant Italian conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli. 130 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manon - the best, December 3, 1999

By 

Stacey Martin (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Sinopoli, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Allen, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In a line: The best performance ever. Kiri Te Kanawa and Placido Domingo hit it off the instant they enter the stage. Domingo is perfect as Des Grieux - one of his greatest roles. He uses his emotion and powerful voice to portray a helpless, in love and at the same time, moving, Des Griuex. Kiri Te Kanawa is the greatest Manon there ever was. She moves through the opera seamlessly displaying a gorgeous voice (regardless of a reported headcold at the time) and breathtaking acting ability. Act one is wonderful, Act 2 is brilliant (Te Kanawa throwing in every emotion - sadness, despair, laughter, mockery...all to perfection) and of course, the great love duet between these two sexy performers. Act 3 is wonderful, with Thomas Allen excelling himself as Manon's older brother. Act 4 is the icing on the cake - wonderful acting, moving music, great stage, and best of all - Manon's death scene - Te Kanawa is tear jerking, to say the very least. Domingo sobs like his heart is broken and it leaves you with a feeling that here is performance that will never be bettered.

Buy it! You will NOT regret it!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Please re-release in SP mode or better yet on DVD, December 11, 2000

By 

"ilian73" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Sinopoli, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Allen, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a truly great performance from very gifted cast of Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Allen, etc. I've seen number of opera productions on TV or video, this is certainly one of the best. They are in great voice and all of them are truly good actors, too. I really wish I could recommend this video. But the original VHS release is now out of print, and the releasing company made a terrible decision of recording it on EP mode, thus producing an inferior quality in video transfer. At the price tag of $30, this is totally unacceptable.

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Manon L. Video, July 20, 2001

By 

operamaryc "operamarty" (DIAMOND BAR, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Sinopoli, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Allen, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the best video of Manon Lescaut with the very best cast available. The production values are excellent and singing unequaled, not even by Domingo in the Met production with Scotto. This is one of Kiri's strongest roles and there is no tenor that can touch Domingo's "favorite" role. Sir Thomas Allen is certainly one of my favorite baritones and is perfect as her brother. The acting is all on a par with the singing. I love this one and purchased one of the first VHS with subtitles so I'm happy with the quality of the tape, if a little faded. When I convert to DVD I'll definitely buy this again. Buy it if you love these singers, Puccini and Covent Garden!