This February, Ailyn Pérez returns to the Opéra Bastille to star as the title role of Massenet’s Manon. The stunning production by Vincent Huguet places the work in the glorious days of the Roaring Twenties. Under the baton of James Gaffigan, performances will take place on February 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, and 26.
Ms. Pérez stars as the tragic beauty who yearns for the finer things in life alongside a starry cast, including Roberto Alagna, Atalla Ayan, and Benjamin Bernheim as Chevalier des Grieux, Jean Teitgen as Le comte des Grieux, Rodolphe Briand as Guillot de Morfontaine, Marc Labonnette as Brétigny, Andrea Cueva Molnar as Poussette, and Andrzej Filończyk as Lescaut, among others. The titular role of Manon has taken Ms. Pérez to some of the most renowned opera houses around the world, including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Valencia’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, and the Dallas Opera where Theater Jones heralded her vocally and dramatically magnificent performance, saying:
“She has a glorious voice, moving to spinto territory, with secure high notes and remarkable flexibility. She is equally impressive at full volume or when floating a super soft sound. But she is doing more than just singing. Every note is part of a phrase that communicates the words and the emotions behind them. It reminds of the stage presence of someone like Maria Callas.”
Photo: Chris Singer