As the performing arts continue to face an uncertain future with questions of funding, location, and more, I think it is more important than ever to celebrate them. And given that my goal when starting this site was to make both history and culture accessible, it seems obvious to return to my Behind the Ballet series. This classical ballet has been recreated multiple times and is actually based on a dramatic eighteenth century novel. It also features one of the most tragic romances in ballet (perhaps not the ballet for your Valentine’s date…). Let’s get into Behind the Ballet: Manon!
Manon Ballet Synopsis
From the English National Ballet,
Act I
In 18th century Paris, the courtyard of an inn is frequented by actresses, gentlemen and the demimonde. Among them are Des Grieux, a young student, the wealthy Monsieur GM, and Lescaut, who is there to meet his sister Manon on her way to enter a convent. A coach arrives bringing Manon and an old gentleman who has been very much attracted to her.
Lescaut notices this and takes the gentleman into the inn to come to an arrangement with him over Manon. Manon remains outside and meets Des Grieux. They fall in love and decide to escape to Paris with the help of the money that she has stolen from the old gentleman.
Lescaut and the old gentleman come out of the inn, having made a bargain, and to their dismay see that Manon has disappeared. Monsieur GM tells Lescaut that he too is interested in Manon and because of his wealth Lescaut promises to find Manon and persuade her to accept GM.
Manon and Des Grieux have fled to his apartment and as Des Grieux tries to write to his father, explaining his new situation and asking for money, Manon lovingly teases and distracts him. They express their love in a passionate duet, before Des Grieux leaves the apartment to post the letter.
Lescaut and Monsieur GM find Manon at the apartment. Servants bring her jewellery and a fur coat to entice her into becoming Monsieur GM’s mistress. Manon leaves with Monsieur GM.
Des Grieux returns and Lescaut tries to convince him to allow the affair by showing him the money he has been given by Monsieur GM. Des Grieux is distraught to discover that Manon has left.
Act II
Inside Madame’s hotel of ill repute, girls dance and compete for the richest customers. Des Grieux arrives with a drunken Lescaut, looking for Manon.
Manon arrives with Monsieur GM, looking beautiful in her expensive clothes. Des Grieux begs Manon to leave her life as a courtesan and escape with him. She convinces Des Grieux to cheat Monsieur GM at cards to win his fortune before they run away. Inexperienced and nervous, Des Grieux’s cheating is exposed but he manages to escape with Manon. Lescaut is arrested for his part in the cheating.
As the lovers prepare to escape from Paris, they quarrel over whether to leave Manon’s jewellery behind. Monsieur GM bursts into the apartment with armed policemen carrying Lescaut who has been beaten. Panic breaks out, Lescaut is shot dead and Manon is arrested.
Act III
Manon has been deported to New Orleans with other arrested prostitutes to be sold as servants. Their hair has been cut and they are dirty, thirsty and begging for mercy. Des Grieux has followed Manon to try to support and protect her. The Gaoler, responsible for the port, turns his interest to Manon.
The Gaoler tries to win Manon’s affection with jewellery. She refuses but he forces her to please him. Des Grieux breaks in and kills the Gaoler. The lovers flee.
Lost in the Louisianan swamp, Manon and Des Grieux are trapped. The heat, the taxing journey and the anxiety of running away have had a lethal effect on Manon. She is delirious; images and memories from her life appear and haunt her until eventually the strain is too much and she dies in her lover’s arms.
Manon Lescaut or, The Story of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut
This now beloved ballet is based on a 1731 novel by Antoine François Prévost, the final novel in a series. The book’s protagonist, the Chevalier des Grieux, is forced to acquire money to support Manon’s (his lover) tastes. Given that the novel features a sex worker and several other morally questionable issues, the Catholic Church (still incredibly powerful in France at this point) suppressed it and it was banned for two decades. And when it was finally published in the 1750s, it was an edited version that toned down many aspects of the story.
Manon as a ballet
Given that it is a highly dramatic story with many physical scenes, it is not surprising that it made its way to the stage. Manon was first staged by Jean-Louis Aumer for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1830 where it was considered one of his greatest works.
However, it is Kenneth MacMillan’s 1974 production of Manon, created for the Royal Ballet, that is still performed and loved today. His aim was to create a sweeping and dramatic ballet for the company and worked on it throughout the 1973-74 season. His ballet notably focuses on Manon rather than des Grieux. The original staging featured principal dancers Antoinette Sibley and Anthony Dowell (whom the roles are still strongly associated with to this day).
Manon has also been staged as an opera multiple times, including by Pucini. (The stage loves Manon, what can we say?)
What to Watch for in Manon
If you are lucky enough to see Manon staged, there are several scenes to watch for. The bedroom pas de deux in Act is both moving and technically demanding (see above). And for an incredibly heartbreaking piece, I would also recommend the third act pas de deux (below).
Want more Behind the Ballet history?
Behind the Ballet: Swan Lake
Behind the Ballet: Giselle
Behind the Ballet: Don Quixote
Behind the Ballet: Sleeping Beauty
Behind the Ballet: La Fille mal gardée
Behind the Ballet: Coppélia
Behind the Ballet: The Nutcracker
Behind the Ballet: The Firebird
Behind the Ballet: Mayerling
Behind the Ballet: Jewels
Behind the Ballet: La Sylphide
Behind the Ballet: Raymonda
Were you familiar with the history of Manon?
Cheers,
The Historian
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