Live from Lincoln Center (TV Series) New York City Opera: Manon (1977) User Reviews

Possibly The Greatest Manon Ever Made: Stars American Legend Beverly Sills

[FloatingOpera7 · 10/10 · 5 April 2006]

From Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts in New York City, this 1977 evening saw Beverly Sills as Manon. This night also saw bass-baritone Samuel Ramey in a minor role and he was not yet a popular, well-known opera star but already displaying terrific technique. Beverly Sills in one of her signature roles, portrays the innocent-turned-courtesan Manon. Brought up in a convent, she is released for her bad behavior and given over to her ward, her uncle (played by baritone Richard Fredericks in another superb performance). She meets a gentleman, Des Grieux (Henry Price) and they fall in love. She upsets her uncle by running off to live with him in a plush apartment in Paris. But her uncle knows her weakness: money. Manon quickly discards her true love for the promise of a wealthy lifestyle. Beverly Sills, even at this late stage in her career (in fact this is her last documented performance on film)is sensational. She still sings beautifully, and I regard her performance as the one to which all other Manons should be measured. Renee Fleming and Angela Gheorghiu, gorgeous as they are, lack the naturalistic technique Sills inherently possesses and she plays the part with grand theatricality, like a Broadway singer. Julius Rudel, Sill's champion conductor, treats the score with a marriage of dramatic power and beautiful melodic richness and he knows Sills so well that he knows how to play the music so that her voice reigns over the orchestra. The production is lovely- the country inn resembles a Courbet painting and the 18th century milieu, particularly in the Ball Scene, is right on. This is without a doubt the best Manon, even if camera movement is primitive. Of her Manon, one critic wrote: She is as much a New York City icon as the Statue of Liberty.

The ultimate Manon?

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 11 October 2011]

I think so. I loved the 1983 and 2001 productions of Massenet's wonderful opera too, but I found this 1977 production the most charming and touching. The costume and set design are appropriately sumptuous, and the video directing and picture quality are excellent. Likewise with the sound.

The music by Massenet is truly wonderful, of his operas I think only Thais comes close to Manon's exquisite beauty. The orchestra display a lot of pathos in their playing, and the conducting shows efficiency and finesse. Staging especially the St Sulpice(the best for me) and the gambling scene is very effective.

As for performances, this Manon is hard to fault. Henry Price is much better than he was as Alfredo, Des Grieux suits his voice much more showing more warmth and his acting is much less stiff and more confident.

Richard Fredericks is superb, I have always been impressed by him, and his Lescaut is no exception. The performance is one of wit and charm, and Frederick's voice is rich and noble.

Samuel Ramey gives my second favourite performance of this Manon. Ramey is consistently great to me, and here he makes for a sympathetic Comte Des Greiux.

Beverly Sills however makes this production. So much was wonderful already, but Sills in one of her best roles- her second best performance on DVD after her Queen Elizabeth in 1975's Roberto Devereux- shows heart-breaking acting, a beautiful voice and good technique.

All in all, a lovely production and for me the best Manon. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Amazing Manon

[AngelofMusic1998 · 10/10 · 9 June 2022]

Manon is one of the best operas by Massnet and I really loved this production,despite how old it is(from the 70s). Sets and costumes look amazing. Beverly Sills is truly great as Manon. Henry Price is really great as Des Grieux. Supporting cast is amazing as well and the final scene hits. Overall,great Manon.10/10.