Musica highlights 2020: Benjamin Bernheim and Pretty Yende shine as doomed lovers

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Musica highlights 2020: Benjamin Bernheim and Pretty Yende shine as doomed lovers
Copyright euronews
By Katharina Rabillon
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Euronews' Musica looks back at the highlights from the new production of Massenet's “Manon“ at the Opéra Bastille in Paris earlier this year, reimagined by Vincent Huguets. The director sees Manon as a modern emancipated woman during the 1920s.

As curtains have come down in most of Europe's theatres, Musica takes you back to a magnificent production which premiered this spring - the reimagining of Jules Massenet’s ‘Manon’ - that showed at the Opéra Bastille in Paris.

"What really convinced me to stage the opera in the Roaring Twenties were personalities like Mistinguett and, in particular, Josephine Baker. This was the first time in history that women could become somebody without standing on the shoulders of certain men."
Vincent Huguet
French Opera Director of Manon

The latest operatic production by Vincent Huguet transforms Massenet’s original creation, based on a novel by Abbé Prévost, into something entirely different.

Originally set during the reign of King Louis XV in 18th century France, the French director has chosen to exchange this era for the freewheeling decade of the Roaring Twenties.

Huguet says that he was particularly inspired by women from that period, like the French actress and singer, Mistinguett, as well as entertainer, Josephine Baker.

After mesmerising audiences in ‘La Traviata’ at the Paris Opera last year, Pretty Yende follows this up as the unforgetable, Manon. ‘La Traviata’ co-star, Benjamin Bernheim, also joins Yende once again to play the illustrious Chevalier des Grieux.

Pretty Yende tweets about the opera Manon

The South African born vocalist, portrays a liberated heroine, where the story revolves around Manon’s epic journey with her devoted chevalier Des Grieux. 

"She is in power the whole time," Pretty Yende explained.

Benjamin Bernheim added: "It is a very modern couple."

"Des Grieux totally accepts the idea, that a woman is above him, better known and stronger then him," he said.

The opera revolves around the journey of the irresistible Manon and her devoted chevalier Des Grieux.

Huguet’s setting provides the perfect backdrop for a period where social upheaval and the changing role of women were particularly prominent.

His decision to reimagine a strong female lead is even more poignant in the wake of the MeToo and Time’s Up Movements, where women standing up to men is the defining message.

"What really convinced me to stage the opera in the Roaring Twenties are personalities like Mistinguett and in particular Josephine Baker. This is the first time in history that women could become somebody without standing on the shoulders of certain men," Vincent Huguet said.

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