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  • Manon: Den Norske Ballett
    Manon: Den Norske Ballett

Manon: Classical Ballet at Oslo Opera House

About the Event

Would you choose love or a life in prosperity? This is the choice facing Manon in the ballet with the same name. The performance offers steps and lifts that will take your breath away, accompanied by Jules Massenet’s music.
Poverty and luxury

When Manon and Des Grieux meet in 18th century France and fall deeply in love, Manon’s brother Lescaut is in the process of offering her to the highest bidder. The lovers flee, but Lescaut follows with Monsieur G.M., who offers Manon a life in luxury as his mistress – and she accepts. She cannot, however, give Des Grieux up, and they together attempt to cheat Monsieur G.M. of his money. The plot is discovered, and Manon is convicted of prostitution and deported to New Orleans. And this is not the end. That comes later with shame, love and death in the marshes of Louisiana.

It’s probably not surprising that ever since the publication of Abbé Prévost’s novel L’Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut in 1731 that people have been fascinated by the story of Manon, and that it has formed the basis for several operas and ballets. Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s version of 1974 was met by critical reviews: Wasn’t it the case that the heroine here was amoral? What was it exactly that motivated her?

MacMillan replied that the answer lay in poverty: “Manon is not as afraid of being poor as she is ashamed of being poor,” he said, himself a man from a poor background who became possibly the most influential choreographer of his time. Both public and critics eventually came to love Manon, and it now has a given place in the repertoire of ballet companies all over the world.

Cast / Production

Choreography Sir Kenneth MacMillan
Music Jules Massenet
Set Designer John‐Kristian Alsaker
Costume Designer Ingrid Nylander
Lighting Designer Kristin Bredal
Conductor Martin Yates
Artists Nasjonalballetten, Ballettskolen, Operaorkestret

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