The opera you’re thinking of is Manon Lescaut, composed by Giacomo Puccini and based on the novel L’Histoire de Manon Lescaut by Antoine-François Prévost.
Manon Lescaut is a romantic opera in four acts that premiered in 1893 at the Teatro Regio in Turin. It tells the story of Manon Lescaut, a young woman who is forced into prostitution by her family. She meets Des Grieux, a young student who falls in love with her. The two lovers try to escape together, but they are pursued by Manon’s brother and eventually caught. Manon is sent to exile, and Des Grieux is heartbroken. The opera ends with Manon dying in Des Grieux’s arms.
Manon Lescaut is one of Puccini’s most popular operas. It is known for its beautiful melodies, dramatic story, and tragic ending. The opera has been performed by many of the world’s leading opera singers, including Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, and Jonas Kaufmann.
Here are some additional details about the opera:
- Composer: Giacomo Puccini
- Librettists: Luigi Illica and Marco Praga
- Based on: L’Histoire de Manon Lescaut by Antoine-François Prévost
- Premiere: Teatro Regio, Turin, Italy, 1893
- Acts: 4
- Running time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Notable arias: “Donna non vidi mai”, “Veil, che m’hai lasciata”, “Sì, fu il sogno”, “Ah! Manon, mi lasci”