Back at the Opéra Bastille, Massenet’s Manon made its return in a revival that had originally promised a dual cast of Nadine Sierra with Benjamin Bernheim, and Amina Edris with Roberto Alagna. But with Sierra stepping down, Edris now takes on the full run—no small task, considering the vocal and emotional Everest that is Manon. And she rose to it.
Vincent Huguet’s staging sets the opera in the roaring 1920s, drawing on the glamour and aura of Josephine Baker. Visually, it’s certainly stylish—glitzy cabarets, jazzy flourishes, bold costuming—but one might question whether this setting truly enhances the opera’s emotional core. Still, it makes for some beautiful stage pictures.
Pierre Dumoussaud led the Paris Opera Orchestra with real finesse and sweep. He brought out all the lush, pre-Puccinian lyricism in Massenet’s score, reminding us just how heartbreakingly gorgeous this music is. Honestly, we could have stayed another hour just listening.
Returning to the Bastille stage in a role she already knows well, Amina Edris brought youthful energy and moving sincerity to Manon. She was as flirtatious and carefree as needed, but also touching and vulnerable—a tricky balance, especially in a venue as vast as Bastille. Yet her voice carried with freshness and emotional nuance throughout.
And then there’s Roberto Alagna. What can we say? The man is timeless. A total masterclass in French singing—elegant phrasing, impeccable diction, and stage presence that fills every corner of the space. His “Ah! fuyez, douce image” was pure magic—a moment where everything stopped.
Andrzej Filończyk’s Lescaut was a bit less convincing. Though his acting and French were commendable, the voice sometimes lacked the weight and authority needed for the role of Manon’s cousin.
Nicolas Cavallier, reunited with Alagna, brought gravitas and warmth to the role of the Comte des Grieux. His presence was commanding, and his phrasing was clean and expressive,
Nicholas Jones stood out as Guillot, offering strong stage charisma, a beautiful tone, and excellent French—a welcome surprise in a smaller role.
All in all, this Manon is well worth the trip for a dream couple like Edris and Alagna at the center. And with Massenet’s gorgeous music filling the air, what more could you ask for?
