Composer Jules Massenet Librettists Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille Based On the novel L'histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost Company San Francisco Opera Association Location San Francisco, CA Venue War Memorial Opera House Season 1971 Language French Creative/Crew Conductor Jean Périsson Production Tito Capobianco Assisted by Elena Denda Set Designer(s) David Mitchell Costume Designer(s) Hal George Lighting Designer Joan Larkey Costumers Goldstein & Co. Chorus Director Francesco Prestia Choreographer Lew Christensen Cast Guillot de Morfontaine Ragnar Ulfung De Brétigny Mark Howard Poussette Carolyn Lewis Javotte Gwendolyn Jones Rosette Sandra Bush Innkeeper William Fleck Lescaut, Manon's cousin Allan Monk First Guard Joe Pinedo Second Guard Daniel Sullivan Manon Lescaut Beverly Sills Chevalier des Grieux Nicolai Gedda Maid Louise Corsale Count des Grieux, the Chevalier's father Ara Berberian Attendant at St. Sulpice William Tredway Sergeant John Miller Show Dates Fri, Sep 10 1971, 7:45pm Sun, Sep 19 1971, 2pm Sat, Sep 25 1971, 8pm Wed, Sep 29 1971, 8pm Sun, Oct 3 1971, 2pm Fri, Oct 8 1971, 8pm Broadcast Fri, Oct 8 1971, 8am 10/8/1971, broadcast KKHI. Time and Place The action takes place in 1721 Scenes Act I, Scene 1 -- Courtyard of an inn at Amiens Scene 2 -- Apartment of des Grieux and Manon in Paris Act II, Scene 1 -- Cours la Reine, Paris Scene 2 -- Seminary of Saint Sulpice Act III, Scene 1 -- Gambling salon, Hotel Transylvanie Scene 2 -- The road to Le Havre Media Image Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Image Beverly Sills (Manon), Chorus, Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Beverly Sills (Manon, center) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Image Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Image Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux), Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) and Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Image Allan Monk (Lescaut), Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) and Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Image Act I, Ensemble, Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Act I Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera Document SFO_PUB_01_SFO_1971_06_compressed.pdf (17.79 MB) Acknowledgements This new production of "Manon" is made possible through the sponsorship of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and a gift from James D. Robertson Notes To access the full production program, click the PDF link above. --------------------- 10/8/1971, broadcast KKHI. Intermission taped features: Intermissions #1 and #2, Bill Agee (guest). Opening Night floral decorations supplied by Kay's FloristIn the Cours la Reine scene, in all performances, Beverly Sills sang both theGavotte and the Fabliau.
Image Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera
Image Beverly Sills (Manon), Chorus, Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Beverly Sills (Manon, center) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera
Image Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera
Image Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux), Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) and Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera
Image Allan Monk (Lescaut), Beverly Sills (Manon), Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Nicolai Gedda (des Grieux) and Beverly Sills (Manon) Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera
Image Act I, Ensemble, Manon, Jules Massenet. San Francisco Opera, 1971. Photographer: Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera. Act I Credit Ken Howard/San Francisco Opera