A complicated chain of emergency substitutions unfolded at Madrid’s Teatro Real during the run of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut.” The celebrated Spanish soprano Saioa Hernández fell ill and was forced to cancel several performances. As a result, Sondra Radvanovsky – originally scheduled in her own cast alongside tenor Michael Fabiano – was moved into Hernández’s cast, performing alongside Jorge de León. {…}
Teatro Real opened the 2026-27 season with a new production of Puccini’s juvenile opera “Manon Lescaut” (co-produced with Opera Köln). These are the first stage performances of this title since the theater reopened in 1997, and it has been 102 years since it was last seen at Teatro Real. It delivered a splendid cast with the voices of soprano Sondra {…}
Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky will sing the title role in Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” at the Teatro Real in Madrid on Saturday, Oct. 3, replacing Saioa Hernández, who is unwell. Radvanovsky shared the news in an Instagram update, stating, “I am singing Manon Lescaut tonight again @teatroreal filling in for a sick @hernandezsaioa . Wishing her a quick recovery and a huge {…}
(Photo Credit: Juanjo Bruzzo) The Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires continued its 2026 season with a series of concert performances of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” at the Auditorio Nacional of the Palacio Libertad. The concert hall is a marvelous sight with its sleek wooden aesthetic and capacity for 1,750 audience members. And for the orchestra and chorus, the latter of which {…}
(Credit: Geoffroy Schied) “Manon Lescaut” at the Bayerisches Staatsoper in April showed two soloists who brought a fresh take on Puccini’s well-loved third opera. Although Hans Neuenfels’ production kept its piquant perspective, soprano Joyce El Khouri, performing instead of Ermonela Jaho, and tenor Saimir Pirgu performed with more modesty and ardor than anticipated. They showed us once again how Puccini {…}
(Credit: Heather Elizabeth Media) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Manon Lescaut.” The company said that Joyce El-Khoury will be stepping into the role of Manon Lescaut on April 17, 20, and 24 for Ermonela Jaho. This season El-Khoury performed at the Opera Comique and Opera de Rouen in “Médée” and “Aida.” She has appeared {…}
(Credit: S. Gherciu) The Prague National Theatre will present “Manon Lescaut.” The opera will open on March 27 with subsequent shows throughout April. There will also be performances in May, June, and October, and a final one on Nov. 6, 2025. Sláva Daubnerová directs and Simone Di Felice conducts. Taking on the title role will be Petra Alvarez and Šimková {…}
On Feb. 28, the Teatro Petruzzelli will present a production of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut.” The opera will star Marigona Qerkezi in the title role. This will be her role debut which she has noted is her “dream debut.” She will joined by Denys Pivnitskyi as Dees Greiux, and Biagio Pizzuti as Lescaut. Francesco Cilluffo conducts the production by Massimo Gasparon. In {…}
“Manon Lescaut,” the third opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, marked his first true success, particularly with audiences, though critics raised some mild objections. It is widely regarded as the Maestro’s first mature work, showcasing a distinctive personal style that would continue to evolve in his later compositions. A Troublesome Libretto Based on the 1731 French novel by Abbé Prévost, the {…}
(Credit: Opera de Monte-Carlo/Michael Pohn/Wiener Staatsoper/ Brescia e Amisano ©Teatro alla Scala/Foto Ennevi/Arena di Verona) Anna Netrebko has arguably been one of the most influential operatic figures of the 21st century. Whether it be her acting or her piano phrases, the soprano has been hailed by critics and has been at the center of many of the opera world’s leading {…}
Ópera de Oviedo commemorated their 75th season by presenting Massenet’s “Manon,” a new coproduction between opera de Oviedo, Teatro Municipal Santiago de Chile and Auditorio de Tenerife. All performances were dedicated to the great Spanish soprano Victoria de los Angeles who performed 75 years ago at the Oviedo coliseum. Emilio Sagi’s Beautiful Labyrinth The veteran and admired stage director Emilio Sagi {…}