Intermezzo

Manon at the Royal Opera House

Manon - Royal Opera House, 22 June 2010 (first night)

Anna Netrebko and Vittorio Grigolo were, deservedly, a huge hit with the audience at last night's Manon premiere (sole sleb-spot, Rhydian, in barman-style white shirt and waistcoat).

Netrebko's saucy, knowing Manon is the architect of her own fate, and if she overdoes the eyelash-batting in the first act, she makes up for it later with a truly affecting performance. She sang strongly, the voice fuller and darker than ever before, looking gorgeous in a succession of lush Belle Époque frocks and a chestnut wig.

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mais oui Manon

Perhaps the budget cuts are really biting at the Royal Opera House. Anyone expecting the sort of detail Laurent Pelly brought to his now-classic production of La fille du régiment will be disappointed by his new Manon, as unveiled at Saturday's general rehearsal. Whether it looks elegantly minimal or half-finished is a matter of opinion - but those sets sure are spare, in contrast to the acres of cloth lavished on the lush period costumes.