Jules Massenet

Manon, Act III

MANON, written by Jules Massenet (1842-1912) was composed in 1883 and premiered the following year on January 19 at the Opéra-Comique. Telling the story of a young woman who, despite being a good person, plays with the emotions of men as she falls in love with the jewelry and luxury of a Parisian life, this excerpt from Act III has Manon singing about her wonderful new life of sumptuous dresses and retinue of admirers ("Je marche sur tous les chemins"), then extolling the joys of love and youth in a gavotte ("Obéissons quand leur voix appelle"). Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(1): Str (9-8-7-6-5): Solo Sopr.