Manon Lescaut by Puccini, Ab (2017/2017), Unter der Regie von Aleksandar Tekeliev, Dirigat Jan van Maanen, Varna Sea Garden, Warna, Bulgarien

Manon Lescaut is Puccini's first opera to be a great success, much greater than the previous Bohemia. The composer encounters some difficulties in writing it, as he has to work with several librettists at the same time. Interestingly, he uses parts of his previous works such as Messa di Gloria or works such as Chrysanthemums, Scherzo for orchestra and several minuets that are easily recognizable in the score of Manon Lescaut. It was very important for Puccini to find another musical sound different from that of the great Verdi, who was still alive at the time. The images in the opera are very human. Manon, who cannot choose between love and luxury and this predetermines her destiny; De Grijo, who is so in love with Manon that he sacrifices himself for her and Lesko, the brother who is quite strange and tries to do what he has to do, but only when it is good for him. Puccini fills "Manon Lescaut" with strong emotions - passion, joy, sorrow, and in some places with boring, boring music to show us Manon's boredom of luxury living. I am pleased when the soloists and the orchestra are able to express to the audience all these characteristics that I mentioned a moment ago, using the notes and words that Puccini left us. As a conductor, I do not experience myself as a dictator who dictates what needs to be done. I'm just one of the musicians trying to guide a group of musician friends to bring real life together to Puccini's music.