(French Antoine-Francois Prevost)
Prevost is one of the greatest French writers of the 18th century, the author of the novel “The History of the Chevalier de Grieux and Manon Lescaut” (1731).
Prévost, Antoine François is the second of the five sons of the royal prosecutor Liévain Prévost and Marie Duclé.
And the story of the Chevalier de Grieux and Manon Lescaut
(French Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut)
A novel by the French writer Abbot Prevost. One of the first psychological novels in the history of literature.
The novel takes place during the Regency era (1715-1723). The narration is told on behalf of the Chevalier de Grieux. Being seventeen years old, he completes the course philosophical sciences in Amiens. At the seminary where he studies, he has a devoted friend - Tiberge, three years older than the Chevalier de Grieux. After successful completion exams, he is going to return to his father, but he meets a beautiful stranger who has just arrived in the city on a stagecoach. This is Manon Lescaut, whose parents decided to send her to a monastery. Des Grieux falls madly in love with her at first sight and persuades her to run away with him. Tiberge does not approve of de Grieux's intentions, but he does not listen to his friend's admonitions and secretly leaves the city with his beloved in the direction of Paris.
By the will of the writer, the story is told on behalf of the gentleman des Grieux. At the age of seventeen, the young man completed a course in philosophical sciences in Amiens. Due to its origin (parents belong to one of the most noble families of P.), brilliant abilities and his attractive appearance, he wins people over and acquires a true devoted friend at the seminary - Tiberge, who is several years older than our hero. Coming from poor family, Tiberge is forced to take holy orders and stay in Amiens to study theological sciences. Des Grieux, having passed the exams with honors, was going to return to his father to continue his studies at the Academy. But fate decreed otherwise. On the eve of parting with the city and saying goodbye to his friend, the young man meets a beautiful stranger on the street and starts a conversation with her. It turns out that the girl’s parents decided to send her to a monastery in order to curb her penchant for pleasure, so she is looking for a way to regain her freedom and will be grateful to anyone who will help her with this. Des Grieux is overcome by the charm of the stranger and readily offers his services. After some deliberation, the young people find no other way but to escape. The plan is simple: they will have to deceive the vigilance of the escort assigned to watch Manon Lescaut (that is the name of the stranger), and head straight to Paris, where, at the request of both lovers, the wedding will take place immediately. Tiberge, privy to his friend's secret, does not approve of his intentions and tries to stop de Grieux, but it is too late: the young man is in love and is ready for the most decisive actions. Early in the morning, he delivers a carriage to the hotel where Manon is staying, and the fugitives leave the city. The desire to get married was forgotten in Saint-Denis, where the lovers broke the laws of the church and became spouses without any hesitation.
In Paris, our heroes rent furnished rooms; des Grieux, filled with passion, forgot to think about how upset his father was by his absence. But one day, returning home earlier than usual, des Grieux learns about Manon’s betrayal. The famous tax farmer, Monsieur de B.., who lived next door, was probably not paying the girl a visit for the first time in his absence. The shocked young man, barely coming to his senses, hears a knock on the door, opens it and falls into the arms of his father’s lackeys, who are ordered to deliver prodigal son home. In the carriage, the poor man is at a loss: who betrayed him, how did his father know where he was? At home, his father tells him that M. de B.., having struck up a close acquaintance with Manon and learned who her lover is, decides to get rid of his rival and in a letter to his father reports about the young man’s dissolute lifestyle, making it clear that drastic measures are necessary. Thus, Mr. B... provides Father des Grieux with a treacherous and disinterested service. The Cavalier des Grieux loses consciousness from what he heard, and when he wakes up, he begs his father to let him go to Paris to his beloved, since it is impossible for Manon to cheat on him and give her heart to another. But the young man has to spend a whole six months under the strict supervision of servants, while the father, seeing his son in constant melancholy, supplies him with books that help calm his rebellious soul a little. All the feelings of a lover come down to alternating hatred and love, hope and despair - depending on the form in which the image of his beloved is drawn to him. One day Tiberj visits a friend, cleverly flatters his good character and persuades him to think about giving up worldly pleasures and taking monastic vows. Friends go to Paris, and de Grieux begins to study theology.
He shows extraordinary zeal, and soon he is congratulated on his future rank. Our hero spent about a year in Paris without trying to find out anything about Manon; it was difficult at first, but constant support Tiberzha and his own reflections contributed to victory over himself. Last months studies proceeded so calmly that it seemed that just a little more - and this captivating and insidious creature would be forgotten forever. But after an exam at the Sorbonne, “covered with glory and showered with congratulations,” de Grieux unexpectedly visits Manon. The girl was eighteen years old, she became even more dazzling in her beauty. She begs to forgive her and return her love, without which life is meaningless. Touching repentance and oaths of fidelity softened the heart of des Grieux, who immediately forgot about his life plans, about the desire for fame, wealth - in a word, about all the benefits worthy of contempt if they are not associated with the beloved.
Our hero follows Manon again, and now Chaillot, a village near Paris, becomes the haven of lovers. Over two years of communication with B... Manon managed to extract about sixty thousand francs from him, on which the young people intend to live comfortably for several years. This is the only source of their existence, since the girl is not from a noble family and she has nowhere else to expect money from, and des Grieux does not hope for the support of her father, since he cannot forgive him for his connection with Manon. Trouble comes suddenly: a house in Chaillot burned down, and during the fire a chest of money disappeared. Poverty is the least of the challenges awaiting de Grieux. Manon cannot be counted on in times of trouble: she loves luxury and pleasure too much to sacrifice them. Therefore, in order not to lose his beloved, he decides to hide the missing money from her and borrow it from Tiberge for the first time. A devoted friend encourages and consoles our hero, insists on breaking up with Manon and without hesitation, although he himself is not rich, gives des Grieux the required amount money.
Manon introduces his lover to his brother, who serves in the king’s guard, and M. Lescaut persuades de Grieux to try his luck at the gambling table, promising, for his part, to teach him everything necessary techniques and tricks. Despite all his disgust for deception, cruel necessity forces the young man to agree. Exceptional dexterity increased his fortune so quickly that two months later he rented a furnished house in Paris and began a carefree, luxurious life. Tiberzh, who constantly visits his friend, tries to reason with him and warn him against new misfortunes, since he is sure that the ill-gotten wealth will soon disappear without a trace. Tiberge's fears were not in vain. The servants, from whom their income was not hidden, took advantage of the gullibility of their owners and robbed them. Ruin leads the lovers to despair, but des Grieux is even more horrified by Manon’s brother’s proposal. He talks about Mr. de G... M.., an old sensualist who pays for his pleasures without sparing money, and Lesko advises his sister to come to him for support. But the cunning Manon comes up with a more interesting option for enrichment. The old red tape invites the girl to dinner, where he promises to give her half of her annual allowance. Charming lady asks if she can bring her boyfriend to dinner younger brother(referring to de Grieux), and, having received consent, rejoices. As soon as at the end of the evening, having already handed over the money, the old man started talking about his love impatience, the girl and her “brother” were blown away by the wind. Mr. de G... M... realized that he had been fooled and had both swindlers arrested. Des Grieux found himself in the Saint-Lazare prison, where he suffered terribly from humiliation; the young man is unable to think about anything for a whole week except his dishonor and the shame that he brought upon the whole family. Manon's absence, anxiety about her fate, fear of never seeing her again were the main subject of the prisoner's sad thoughts. When de Grieux learns that his beloved is in the Asylum (a place of detention for public women), he becomes furious and decides to escape from prisons. With the assistance of Mr. Lesko, our hero finds himself free and begins to find ways to free his beloved. Pretending to be a foreigner, he asks the gatekeeper of the Shelter about the rules there, and also asks to characterize the authorities. Having learned that the boss has an adult son, de Grieux meets with him and, hoping for his support, tells the whole story of his relationship with Manon. Mr. de T... is touched by the frankness and sincerity of the stranger, but the only thing he can do for him for now is to give him the pleasure of seeing the girl; everything else is not in his power. The joy of the meeting of lovers who had experienced a three-month separation, their endless tenderness for each other, touched the servant of the Shelter, and he wanted to help the unfortunate. After consulting with de T. about the details of the escape, de Grieux frees Manon the next day, and the shelter guard remains as his servant.
On the same night, Brother Manon dies. He robbed one of his friends at the card table, and he asked to lend him half of the lost amount. The squabble that arose over this turned into a fierce quarrel and subsequently into murder. The young arrive in Chaillot. Des Grieux is preoccupied with finding a way out of lack of money, and in front of Manon he pretends that he is not short of money. The young man arrives in Paris and Once again asks Tiberj for money, and, of course, receives it. From his devoted friend, des Grieux went to Mr. T., who was very happy with his guest and told him the continuation of the story of Manon’s kidnapping. Everyone was amazed to learn that such a beauty decided to run away with the shelter servant. But what won’t you do for freedom! So des Grieux is above suspicion and has nothing to fear. Mr. de T., having learned the whereabouts of the lovers, often visits them, and their friendship with him grows stronger day by day.
One day, young G.M., the son of worst enemy, that old libertine who imprisoned our heroes. M. de T. assured de Grieux, who was already grabbing his sword, that he was a very sweet, noble young man. But subsequently des Grieux is convinced of the opposite. G. M. Jr. falls in love with Manon and invites her to leave her lover and live with him in luxury and contentment. The son surpasses his father in generosity, and, unable to withstand the temptation, Manon gives up and moves to live with G. M. De T., shocked by the treachery of his friend, advises de Grieux to take revenge on him. Our hero asks the guards to arrest G.M. on the street in the evening and hold him until the morning, while he himself, meanwhile, indulges in pleasures with Manon in the vacated bed. But the footman who accompanied G.M. informs the old man G.M. about what happened. He immediately goes to the police, and the lovers end up in prison again. Father des Grieux seeks the release of his son, and Manon faces either life imprisonment or exile to America. Des Grieux begs his father to do something to mitigate the sentence, but receives a decisive refusal. The young man does not care where to live, as long as he is with Manon, and he goes with the exiles to New Orleans. Life in the colony is miserable, but only here our heroes find peace of mind and turn their thoughts to religion. Having decided to get married, they admit to the governor that they used to deceive everyone by introducing themselves as spouses. To this, the governor replies that the girl should marry his nephew, who has been in love with her for a long time. Des Grieux wounds his opponent in a duel and, fearing the governor's revenge, flees the city. Manon follows him. On the way, the girl falls ill. Rapid breathing, convulsions, pallor - everything indicated that the end of her suffering was nearing. At the moment of death, she speaks of her love for des Grieux.
For three months the young man was bedridden by a serious illness, his disgust for life did not weaken, he constantly called for death. But still healing came. Tiberge appears in New Orleans. A devoted friend takes de Grieux to France, where he learns of his father's death. The expected meeting with his brother completes the story.
Among French writers of the 18th century, Prevost is a unique figure. Prevost was not a professional writer, only a man of letters.
Influence on Prevost “analytical” direction of court literature(Mm. Lafayette, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyère, Racine).
Away from enlightenment; its sphere is phenomena beyond the control of reason.
Fast paced life Monk, soldier, journalist, adventurer. Life is confusing, colorful, risky.
The prevost by birth and upbringing belonged to privileged layers. P. was born into a bourgeois family. Prevost's father was a royal prosecutor and raised his son in the spirit of admiration for religion and the throne. Prevost studied at a Jesuit school. Then - as a novice in a monastery. In his youth, Prevost thoroughly prepared for the clergy, diligently studied theology and philosophy, but for unknown reasons he abandoned a spiritual career.
Two years - a simple soldier.
The Prevost then takes vows of monasticism. In the cell of the Benedictine monastery written “Notes and adventures of a noble man who retired from the world”(in 1728 - 4 parts were published) the continuation was published in Holland, where Prevost lived for a short time as a fugitive monk wanted by the police.
1731 – the seventh volume of Notes “The History of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut”
The Provost in England published (1733-1740) the magazine “For and Against,” which reported on the literary life of England. The influence of the ideas of English bourgeois literature, which Prevost propagated in France.
Homecoming. He seeks forgiveness from the Pope for his escape from the monastery.
The prevost begins to move in social circles, writes a number of new works, translates into French Richardson's novels. Noble society is the center of everyday and cultural attraction. Prevost remained aloof from opposition circles and encyclopedists. He has no accusatory tendencies or criticism of modern orders. Prevost is Richardson's translator and... compiler of an orthodox history of the church. To him, the absolutist regime still seemed to be the natural course of things, and the nobility was synonymous with “decent society,” the center of education and honor. (it is no coincidence that in Manon Lescaut, in contrast to the consciously bourgeois novelists - Defoe, Richardson, he chooses a plot from aristocratic life and makes his hero an aristocrat. At the same time positive traits the hero of the novel (des Grieux) - nobility, honor, good manners - are put in connection with aristocratic origin and upbringing. Des Grieux's break with the aristocratic circle, renunciation of his position and wealth for the sake of a girl unknown origin do not in any way evoke the approval of the author. Prevost pities his hero, but does not justify him).
Material deprivation (negligible fees).
Prevost died suddenly from heart paralysis.
Stormy life =adventure novel (many relevant works: “Notes of a Noble Person”, “History of Cleveland”, “The Story of a Modern Greek Woman”, etc.)
There are many beginnings "black novel" Cumbersome, multi-volume with adventures and fatal passions.
But only one remained: “The History of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut” (1731)
The originality of the work of Prevost.
"Manon Lescaut" - first psychological novel, which was preceded only by picaresque novels.
Pictorial Novels, but with Prevost all adventures are for the sake of love. It's close exquisite novels, But unlike them, there is no separation of love from everyday life. Love - fatal passion, tragic, irresistible, but also the highest good.
Also a lot from adventure novel(and was an appendix to the “Notes of a Noble Person”)
But the basis of the plot is psychology, the analysis of passion: Prevost combines passion, its analysis with everyday truth.
The narrative is told from the perspective of de Grieux (because he is subtle and intelligent)
The Chevalier des Grieux is a nobleman, Manon is from the bourgeois class.
Theme of love of people belonging Todifferent classes – very popular (especially in the 18th century). In "Manon Lescaut" this topic is revealed in a very complex way.
(Not only social, but also cultural aspect): Des Grieux – from knightly culture XVII century (cavalier). Manon – Third Estate (poeticization of the prostitute, money and love)
Conflict – in the difference of characters main characters (if moral principles Manon and des Grieux had things in common, there would have been no drama, no internal conflict (des Grieux would have become a pimp).
Prevost is practically not interested in social differences, and the main thing is that love brought together two deeply different natures.
The fatal nature of love: at first sight and forever.
There is no portrait of the heroine - she is only a shrine, an object of adoration.
Prevost tells us a story in which events develop in accordance with the characters' characters. But, although the novel is called "Manon Lescaut", its main character, apparently, should be considered the Chevalier des Grieux. Already at the first meeting, de Grieux, in order to accompany his beloved, betrays his family duty. Escaping with Manon forces him to neglect the will of his father, who sent him to continue his education. Subsequently deprived of material and moral support, des Grieux, in order to ensure his existence, resorts to deception, embarks on various adventures, becomes a sharper, commits murder, and then, once in America, experiences the death of Manon, and returns to France as an unhappy, desperate man. Prevost portrays all these events very succinctly, making the main core of his narrative the conflict between duty and feeling unfolding in the hero’s soul. Having fallen in love with a girl of humble origin, the worthy scion of an aristocratic family, the Cavalier des Grieux, follows a path that is contrary to his duty, the will of his father and social tradition. Prevost presents the story of des Grieux, allegedly written down by a certain noble person from the words of the hero, as a harsh lesson from which the reader must draw important moral conclusions.
Manon destroys his life (became a sharper, a swindler, a murderer): outwardly - condemnation of the destructiveness of passions; but in reality it exalts this passion.
Father - powerful; friend - with rational arguments: how can one love, realizing the destructiveness of this love; the goal is afterlife bliss.
But des Grieux: if this is the goal, then love is better. Because gives bliss during life.
Since there is only a small “frame” from the author, these seditious thoughts are not refuted.Justification of love, human nature as opposed to abstract reason and religious dogma. (the book is recognized as godless). Ban (20 years lasted)
As de Grieux himself admits, he was happy only when he loved. This
By confessing, the hero makes it clear that feeling is just as vitally necessary for him,
as is the adherence to duty, and this is what makes him a tragic figure.
So new 1. in the hero - psychological introspection in connection with “prose” and with justification human principles. 2. Herounable to analyze my feelings, his love for the charming Manon defies any rationalistic assessment. The hero sees and can only evaluate the consequences that are tragic for him, but it is difficult for him to grasp the cause-and-effect relationship of the events taking place. (In other words, life turns out to be Furthermore, what we imagine about it, and a person cannot always foresee everything. This idea of the novel is emphasized adventurous plot, replete with the most extraordinary adventures).
The divergence of Prevost's artistic psychologism from the Enlightenment. The Enlighteners: Crystal Clarity mental life reasonable motivation, self-accountability of every action, feeling, thought, full control over every emotional movement. Evil is absolutely the opposite of good, vice is the opposite of innocence.
The “fall” of women was depicted as a consequence of external social conditions, without affecting internal purity.
Prevost - subtlety psychological analysis, a skeptical attitude towards the metaphysical inviolability of good and evil. Prevost, as an artist, is not interested in the struggle between good and evil, but in their elusive fusion. He is occupied by a character in which it is impossible to separate vices from virtues.
There is even more in heroin. Unusual character ( the name has changed; "Manon Lescaut")
NAME CHANGE: 1 title - “The History of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut.” Then - “The History of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier des Grieux”, then simply “Manon Lescaut”. The change of name is due to a change in emphasis: first, des Grieux as the main character (love for Manon is an episode; des Grieux must atone for his sin, begin new life etc.)
MANON LESCAUT From the point of view of moral values - the embodiment of vice; pleasure-seeking, immorality; betrays more than once for the sake of luxury; not connected to anyone by family, friendship, or marriage (although he proposed marriage). Des Grieux cannot understand Manon and her primitivism. Manon's tragedy is simpler - she always feels a lack of material wealth. She's a heroine new era, to which des Grieux does not belong by his upbringing, education
Manon for des Grieux brings destruction; all the characters “from her side” are negative.
But great charm; his love for her is not like an absurd blindness.
Maupassant about Manon: "This - full of contradictions, a complex, changeable nature, sincere, vicious, but attractive, capable of inexplicable impulses, incomprehensible feelings, amusingly calculating and straightforward in her criminality, and at the same time unusually natural.
((The love of des Grieux and Manon is quite natural, pure and even exemplary)).
Maupassant: How different it is from the artificial images of virtue and vice, so simplified by sentimental novelists who imagine that this characteristic types, not understanding how multifaceted and changeable the human soul can be.
Manon is careless, weak, succumbing to all temptations. She sees wealth as the only possibility of independence.
But Manon is not calculating, sincere; she is driven by immediate desire, she is not cunning, she strives to get everything herself. Her behavior is free, spontaneous. Manon cannot in any way be accused of selfishness, corruption, or selfishness. Monster of depravity or angel? She is constant and windy; simple-minded and crafty, chaste and corrupt.
Her body and soul are separate, changing - she is faithful.
Manon's character is generated by the historical conditions of the strengthening of bourgeois society, which first of all declared human freedom in soul and body. Transforming sexual desire- into individual passion, love. Freedom of bourgeois society - freedom (of bargaining) - prostitution. Every person has the right to have his own soul and body. Prostitution coexists with the concept of sublime love. The opposition of flesh and spirit leads to the separation (and opposition) of *love as a sensual attraction of the flesh and *love as an unearthly ethereal feeling. The duality of the relationship between a man and a woman. Manon: sublime feeling is not diminished in any way when physical intimacy turns into a means of earning money.
As a writer of the 18th century, Prevost tries to explain Manon’s psychology from the point of view of the sensual, bodily mechanics of human passions - the thirst for pleasure, luxury, entertainment, etc. But Prevost himself (and des Grieux) feels that this explanation is untenable. Prevost was the first in the 18th century to discover the “irrational,” inexplicable from the point of view of the bourgeois mind. “The night side of the soul” is the spontaneous, unconscious in the soul. But Prevost has no idealistic mystification. The image of Manon is fragility (she is shown in the halo of de Grieux’s feelings)
Anatole France in the essay "The Adventures of Abbé Prevost." He writes about the heroes of the novel like this: " These children both are pretty rogues, but they love each other; just let serious trials, real misfortunes touch them - and they will appear before you in all their greatness. It's because the same love creates both heroes and scoundrels".
The heroes of the story develop, struggling not only with the environment, but also with themselves (this is their fundamental difference from the characters of a picaresque novel).
The fight for Manon is for des Grieux a fight for man and for own right on humanity.
Death and funeral are the apotheosis of love.
New from Prevost: internal monologue, mental contradictions and complex conditions. The style is simple and clear (confession + analysis + facts) Des Grieux (the narrator) has no pose, no desire to exalt his love, whitewash himself and Manon, no loud phrases
Simplicity and clarity of syllable, but + lyrical, emotional beginning. Expanding the vocabulary (due to everyday reality)
Contrary to the educational (and classicist) desire for clarity of the author’s position.
The extraordinary fate of the work. A very big success. Criticism of that time noted only the great skill of the author, thanks to which decent people sympathize with the prostitute and the swindler. Others advocated burning the novel because the book was immoral.
The decline of interest in "Manon" at the end of the 18th century (overshadowed by the novels "New Heloise" by Rousseau and "Sorrows" young Werther"Goethe). Prevost's resonator doesn't work, positive example(a positive ideal so necessary for enlightenment).
In the 19th century, Manon became popular again. Balzac considered Manon Lescaut to be a modern work. In Russia, the novel was known during the author’s lifetime (translated in 1790).
Behind her is Carmen.
Musical operas by Auber, Massenet, Puccini
Manon Lescaut, Carmen, Quiet Don(but not the same in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”)
A. F. PrevostThe story of the Chevalier des Grieux and Manon Lescaut
The story takes place during the Regency era (1715-1723), when the morals of French society were characterized by extreme freedom. Under the cheerful and frivolous regent Philippe d'Orleans, France immediately began to react to the "lenten" spirit that reigned under the elderly king. French society breathed more freely and gave free rein to the thirst for life, fun, pleasure. In his work, Abbe Prevost treats the theme of fatal, all-consuming love.
By the will of the writer, the story is told on behalf of the gentleman des Grieux. At the age of seventeen, the young man completed a course in philosophical sciences in Amiens. Thanks to his origin (his parents belong to one of the most noble families of P.), brilliant abilities and attractive appearance, he wins over people and acquires a true devoted friend at the seminary - Tiberzh, who is several years older than our hero. Coming from a poor family, Tiberge is forced to take holy orders and stay in Amiens to study theology. Des Grieux, having passed the exams with honors, was going to return to his father to continue his studies at the Academy. But fate decreed otherwise. On the eve of parting with the city and saying goodbye to his friend, the young man meets a beautiful stranger on the street and starts a conversation with her. It turns out that the girl’s parents decided to send her to a monastery in order to curb her penchant for pleasure, so she is looking for a way to regain her freedom and will be grateful to anyone who will help her with this. Des Grieux is overcome by the charm of the stranger and readily offers his services. After some deliberation, the young people find no other way but to escape. The plan is simple: they will have to deceive the vigilance of the escort assigned to watch Manon Lescaut (that is the name of the stranger), and head straight to Paris, where, at the request of both lovers, the wedding will take place immediately. Tiberge, privy to his friend's secret, does not approve of his intentions and tries to stop de Grieux, but it is too late: the young man is in love and is ready for the most decisive actions. Early in the morning, he delivers a carriage to the hotel where Manon is staying, and the fugitives leave the city. The desire to get married was forgotten in Saint-Denis, where the lovers broke the laws of the church and became spouses without any hesitation.
In Paris, our heroes rent furnished rooms; des Grieux, filled with passion, forgot to think about how upset his father was by his absence. But one day, returning home earlier than usual, des Grieux learns about Manon’s betrayal. The famous tax farmer, Monsieur de B.., who lived next door, was probably not paying the girl a visit for the first time in his absence. The shocked young man, barely coming to his senses, hears a knock on the door, opens it and falls into the arms of his father’s lackeys, who are ordered to deliver the prodigal son home. In the carriage, the poor man is at a loss: who betrayed him, how did his father know where he was? At home, his father tells him that M. de B.., having struck up a close acquaintance with Manon and learned who her lover is, decides to get rid of his rival and in a letter to his father reports about the young man’s dissolute lifestyle, making it clear that drastic measures are necessary. Thus, Mr. B... provides Father des Grieux with a treacherous and disinterested service. The Cavalier des Grieux loses consciousness from what he heard, and when he wakes up, he begs his father to let him go to Paris to his beloved, since it is impossible for Manon to cheat on him and give her heart to another. But the young man has to spend a whole six months under the strict supervision of servants, while the father, seeing his son in constant melancholy, supplies him with books that help calm his rebellious soul a little. All the feelings of a lover come down to alternating hatred and love, hope and despair - depending on the form in which the image of his beloved is drawn to him. One day Tiberj visits a friend, cleverly flatters his good character and persuades him to think about giving up worldly pleasures and taking monastic vows. Friends go to Paris, and de Grieux begins to study theology. He shows extraordinary zeal, and soon he is congratulated on his future rank. Our hero spent about a year in Paris without trying to find out anything about Manon; This was difficult at first, but Tiberj’s constant support and his own reflections contributed to victory over himself. The last months of study proceeded so calmly that it seemed that just a little more - and this captivating and insidious creature would be forgotten forever. But after the exam at the Sorbonne, “covered with glory and showered with congratulations,” de Grieux unexpectedly visits Manon. The girl was eighteen years old, she became even more dazzling in her beauty. She begs to forgive her and return her love, without which life is meaningless. Touching repentance and oaths of fidelity softened the heart of de Grieux, who immediately forgot about his life plans, about the desire for fame, wealth - in a word, about all the benefits worthy of contempt if they are not associated with his beloved.
Our hero follows Manon again, and now Chaillot, a village near Paris, becomes the haven of lovers. Over two years of communication with B... Manon managed to extract about sixty thousand francs from him, on which the young people intend to live comfortably for several years. This is the only source of their existence, since the girl is not from a noble family and she has nowhere else to expect money from, and des Grieux does not hope for the support of her father, since he cannot forgive him for his connection with Manon. Trouble comes suddenly: a house in Chaillot burned down, and during the fire a chest of money disappeared. Poverty is the least of the challenges awaiting de Grieux. Manon cannot be counted on in times of trouble: she loves luxury and pleasure too much to sacrifice them. Therefore, in order not to lose his beloved, he decides to hide the missing money from her and borrow it from Tiberge for the first time. A devoted friend encourages and consoles our hero, insists on breaking up with Manon and without hesitation, although he is not rich himself, gives des Grieux the necessary amount of money.
Manon introduces his lover to his brother, who serves in the king’s guard, and Monsieur Lescaut persuades de Grieux to try his luck at the gambling table, promising, for his part, to teach him all the necessary techniques and tricks. Despite all his disgust for deception, cruel necessity forces the young man to agree. Exceptional dexterity increased his fortune so quickly that two months later he rented a furnished house in Paris and began a carefree, luxurious life. Tiberzh, who constantly visits his friend, tries to reason with him and warn him against new misfortunes, since he is sure that the ill-gotten wealth will soon disappear without a trace. Tiberge's fears were not in vain. The servants, from whom their income was not hidden, took advantage of the gullibility of their owners and robbed them. Ruin leads the lovers to despair, but des Grieux is even more horrified by Manon’s brother’s proposal. He talks about Mr. de G... M.., an old sensualist who pays for his pleasures without sparing money, and Lesko advises his sister to come to him for support. But the cunning Manon comes up with a more interesting option for enrichment. The old red tape invites the girl to dinner, where he promises to give her half of her annual allowance. The charming woman asks if she can bring her younger brother (meaning des Grieux) to dinner, and, having received consent, rejoices. As soon as at the end of the evening, having already handed over the money, the old man started talking about his love impatience, the girl and her “brother” were blown away by the wind. Mr. de G... M... realized that he had been fooled and had both swindlers arrested. Des Grieux found himself in the Saint-Lazare prison, where he suffered terribly from humiliation; the young man is unable to think about anything for a whole week except his dishonor and the shame that he brought upon the whole family. Manon's absence, anxiety about her fate, fear of never seeing her again were the main subject of the prisoner's sad thoughts. When de Grieux learns that his beloved is in the Asylum (a place of detention for public women), he becomes furious and decides to escape from prisons. With the assistance of Mr. Lesko, our hero finds himself free and begins to find ways to free his beloved. Pretending to be a foreigner, he asks the gatekeeper of the Shelter about the rules there, and also asks to characterize the authorities. Having learned that the boss has an adult son, de Grieux meets with him and, hoping for his support, tells the whole story of his relationship with Manon. Mr. de T... is touched by the frankness and sincerity of the stranger, but the only thing he can do for him for now is to give him the pleasure of seeing the girl; everything else is not in his power. The joy of the meeting of lovers who had experienced a three-month separation, their endless tenderness for each other, touched the servant of the Shelter, and he wanted to help the unfortunate. After consulting with de T. about the details of the escape, de Grieux frees Manon the next day, and the shelter guard remains as his servant.
On the same night, Brother Manon dies. He robbed one of his friends at the card table, and he asked to lend him half of the lost amount. The squabble that arose over this turned into a fierce quarrel and subsequently into murder. The young arrive in Chaillot. Des Grieux is preoccupied with finding a way out of lack of money, and in front of Manon he pretends that he is not short of money. The young man arrives in Paris and once again asks Tiberge for money, and, of course, receives it. From his devoted friend, des Grieux went to Mr. T., who was very happy with his guest and told him the continuation of the story of Manon’s kidnapping. Everyone was amazed to learn that such a beauty decided to run away with the shelter servant. But what won’t you do for freedom! So des Grieux is above suspicion and has nothing to fear. Mr. de T., having learned the whereabouts of the lovers, often visits them, and their friendship with him grows stronger day by day.
One day, young G.M., the son of his worst enemy, that old libertine who imprisoned our heroes, comes to Chaillot. M. de T. assured de Grieux, who was already grabbing his sword, that he was a very sweet, noble young man. But subsequently des Grieux is convinced of the opposite. G. M. Jr. falls in love with Manon and invites her to leave her lover and live with him in luxury and contentment. The son surpasses his father in generosity, and, unable to withstand the temptation, Manon gives up and moves to live with G. M. De T., shocked by the treachery of his friend, advises de Grieux to take revenge on him. Our hero asks the guards to arrest G.M. on the street in the evening and hold him until the morning, while he himself, meanwhile, indulges in pleasures with Manon in the vacated bed. But the footman who accompanied G.M. informs the old man G.M. about what happened. He immediately goes to the police, and the lovers end up in prison again. Father des Grieux seeks the release of his son, and Manon faces either life imprisonment or exile to America. Des Grieux begs his father to do something to mitigate the sentence, but receives a decisive refusal. The young man does not care where to live, as long as he is with Manon, and he goes with the exiles to New Orleans. Life in the colony is miserable, but only here our heroes find peace of mind and turn their thoughts to religion. Having decided to get married, they admit to the governor that they used to deceive everyone by introducing themselves as spouses. To this, the governor replies that the girl should marry his nephew, who has been in love with her for a long time. Des Grieux wounds his opponent in a duel and, fearing the governor's revenge, flees the city. Manon follows him. On the way, the girl falls ill. Rapid breathing, convulsions, pallor - everything indicated that the end of her suffering was nearing. At the moment of death, she speaks of her love for des Grieux.
For three months the young man was bedridden by a serious illness, his disgust for life did not weaken, he constantly called for death. But still healing came. Tiberge appears in New Orleans. A devoted friend takes de Grieux to France, where he learns of his father's death. The expected meeting with his brother completes the story.
As it turned out later, for all time. It was called "The History of the Chevalier de Grieux and Manon Lescaut." It told about the love of a frivolous, flighty beauty and a worthy man devoted to her with all his heart. young man. The details were scandalous, and the novel was banned. But they read it in the lists. And after revision, when the author removed the piquant details, it was published twenty years later.
The story is told on behalf of the unfortunate de Grieux. He is young and inexperienced, but during his studies he acquires a faithful friend, whose name is Tiberzh. This well-behaved and poor young man, after studying, took holy orders. De Grieux himself plans to return to his parents after training and live as befits his high origin. But he meets a young beauty whom her parents want to send to a monastery. The young people instantly fall in love with each other, leave for Paris and, without getting married, live together. So we begin to expound summary"Manon Lescaut"
First betrayal
Des Grieux completely lost his head in love with the girl and forgot about his loving parents. But one day, returning to his beauty, he finds her in the company of a famous wealthy tax farmer. The betrayal stunned the seventeen-year-old boy. This is a continuation of this story (summary of “Manon Lescaut”). And then his father’s lackeys arrived and took him home. For six months, he is sad, tormented by love and jealousy, either believing that Manon loves him, or thinking that she has forgotten him. Tiberzh arrives and persuades the gentleman to start studying theology. This is how de Grieux ends up in Paris again. He studies diligently at the Sorbonne and almost forgets the captivating image.
Return of Manon
She is already 18 years old, and she has become even more beautiful than she was. The girl begs to forgive her, for she loves immensely and cannot live without de Grieux. Of course, the gentleman forgets theology and all good plans and leaves with his charming lady to a small village near Paris.
We continue to present the summary. Manon Lescaut brought money. She collected them for two years. But there was a fire and everything burned down. The cheat introduces de Grieux to his brother, and he brings the young man to the gambling house. The winnings exceed expectations, and the couple begins life again in Paris on wide leg. But then the servants robbed them.
New betrayal
Brother Manon introduces her to a wealthy gentleman who is ready to take her into custody. But another plan is born in the beauty’s head, which ultimately leads the unfortunate gentleman to prison, and Manon to a shelter for corrupt women.
The end of the story
After a series of betrayals and twists and turns, Mademoiselle is sent as a fallen woman to America. A faithful and devoted gentleman follows her. They are going to get married in New Orleans. But the governor’s son drew attention to her. Des Grieux kills him in a duel. The lovers flee, but Manon falls ill and dies. Before her death, she says that she never loved anyone except de Grieux. The young man is completely killed by the death of his beloved and is himself close to a similar end. But then the faithful Tiberj arrives and takes the unfortunate man to France. His father died and he only meets one kindred spirit- brother. This concludes our very brief summary of Manon Lescaut.
Opera by G. Puccini
Two years of work on the libretto and a year on the opera - and the composer staged his masterpiece in Turin in 1893. “Manon Lescaut,” Puccini’s opera, was immediately recognized by the public and critics. The author was 35 years old, and since that time all his works have been admired.
Below is the libretto of the opera “Manon Lescaut”. A summary of four acts will show that the plot of the opera differs in detail from the novel by Abbot Prevost.
“Manon Lescaut”, G. Puccini: summary
The first act begins in Amiens, on a noisy square full of cheerful people. A young, noble, but poor young man, Des Grieux, appears. He is accompanied by his friend Edmond, who sings a frivolous madrigal about the joys of love and youth. Des Grieux, who has never been in love before, is teased by his friends. But then a carriage appears on the square, from which the charming fifteen-year-old Manon emerges, accompanied by her teenage brother and the old tax farmer Geront. During their journey together, he decided to kidnap the young beauty and is preparing a crew for this. Meanwhile, Des Grieux, who was timid when he saw Manon, nevertheless comes up to meet her. The young people agree to meet. Des Grieux is seriously in love. His aria, full of delight, talks about the charm of Manon: “Really, she is lovely” (this aria can often be heard in concert performance).
Edmond tells Des Grieux about the plans of old Geront. When young people meet, the girl performs the aria “You see, I am true to my word”; the young man quickly puts her in the carriage that Geront ordered and takes her to Paris. The brother, who enthusiastically plays cards, calmly and cynically tells the tax farmer that the beggar Des Grieux will soon tire of his sister, who loves clothes and entertainment.
Act two
The curtain rises and we find ourselves in Manon's rich boudoir. She is surrounded by maids who help her dress and comb her hair. Mademoiselle Lescaut could not stand the impoverished life with Des Grieux, and now she is supported by the rich old man Geront. The brother comes and admires the luxury that surrounds his sister. In his aria he glorifies this rich life whom he admires. But in response, Manon speaks in E-flat major about his longing for Des Grieux. She is not happy with the stylized pastoral), which was composed for her by the hated old man. Geront enters her with friends and a dance teacher. Everyone is fascinated by her, and she sweetly hums the tune of the minuet. Finally everyone leaves and Des Grieux appears. “You, my love, you,” Manon cannot believe her eyes. They reproach each other, but also passionately assure that their love is eternal. And then Geront appears.
At first he is ironic, but then, when the beauty in the mirror shows him his old ugly face, Geront, full of malice, decides to take revenge. And the lovers agree to run away. The brother comes and says that they need to hurry, since Geront is leading the guards here to arrest Manon for her dissolute life. She takes too long to get ready and the guards come. She is arrested and taken away, despite all Des Grieux's despair.
In front of you - brief retelling contents of "Manon Lescaut".
Act three
It begins with a short and frightening drama - the road to Le Havre. The curtain rises. Brother Manon and Des Grieux stand on the square early in the morning. They are thinking about how to get the girl out of transit prison. The brother offers to bribe the guards. At the window, the unfortunate Manon looks out from behind the bars. She, along with other fallen women, prepares to be sent on a ship to America. All her hopes are connected with Des Grieux: “Beloved, you will save me.” But all the women, chained, are taken to the square. Meanwhile, they are reading the list of those who will now be sent overseas. The crowd in the square is discussing this, sympathizing with some, condemning others. Manon must be put on a ship. She touchingly says goodbye to her beloved and asks him to return home. Des Grieux begs the captain to take him with him to be near his beloved. There is a strain in his voice. The captain is touched by his pleas and allows him to rise. Des Grieux runs up the ladder and falls into the arms of his beloved. The composer skillfully intertwined all the musical lines, and they turned into a single scene filled with dynamics.
Act four
America. Manon and Des Grieux in the desert. They fled from the city because the son of the head of the colony decided to take possession of the young beauty, and Des Grieux killed the rapist. Evening is falling, night is approaching. They both wander from last bit of strength. There is no housing, no food, no drink around. Manon can only go as long as Des Grieux supports her. But soon she faints. Des Grieux, crying out of fear for her, tries to bring Manon to her senses. When she comes to her senses and sees her lover in tears, she says that his tears are burning her heart. She asks for a drink. Des Grieux, after hesitating, goes in search of water. His soul is heavy: how will Manon endure loneliness? And the unfortunate girl, left alone, begins to rave. She sends curses to her beauty, which brought them both to such a nightmare. Manon is afraid of death, she grows weaker and weaker. Des Grieux returned. He found nothing.
Manon asks him to hug her. She wants, if she were to die, then only in his arms. The girl again tells the gentleman that she loves him, and this love will never die. Des Grieux, sobbing, holds her dead friend in her hands. This ends Manon Lescaut. Puccini's opera is quite different from the literary original and Massenet's opera.
Author's musical means
Firstly, the librettists, at the request of the author, shortened original text, making the plot a tense spring. Some of the opera's episodes are filled with emotional uplift and melodic brightness. This tension of the soul is interspersed with a calmer development of the music. In his opera, duets filled with feeling are replaced by passionate ariosos of the gentleman Des Grieux and the soul-penetrating complaints of Manon. The fourth act is all built as one big duet.
The first recognized opera by G. Puccini is the opera “Manon Lescaut”, a brief summary of which we have reviewed.
October 22 of this year took place big event V cultural life our capital. The Bolshoi Theater showed G. Puccini's opera "Manon Lescaut" starring Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov, her husband, directed by Alfred Shapiro.
On October 23, Sunday, it was broadcast on the Kultura TV channel.
I’m not an opera lover, much less an expert on it. But when Anna Netrebko sings, I try not to miss it. I really like her.
“Manon Lescaut”, G. Puccini: summary
The first act begins in Amiens, on a noisy square full of cheerful people. A young, noble, but poor young man, Des Grieux, appears. He is accompanied by his friend Edmond, who sings a frivolous madrigal about the joys of love and youth. Des Grieux, who has never been in love before, is teased by his friends. But then a carriage appears on the square, from which the charming fifteen-year-old Manon emerges, accompanied by her teenage brother and the old tax farmer Geront. During their journey together, he decided to kidnap the young beauty and is preparing a crew for this. Meanwhile, Des Grieux, who was timid when he saw Manon, nevertheless comes up to meet her. The young people agree to meet. Des Grieux is seriously in love. His aria, full of delight, talks about the charm of Manon: “Really, she is lovely” (this aria can often be heard in concert performance).
Edmond tells Des Grieux about the plans of old Geront. When young people meet, the girl performs the aria “You see, I am true to my word”; the young man quickly puts her in the carriage that Geront ordered and takes her to Paris. The brother, who enthusiastically plays cards, calmly and cynically tells the tax farmer that the beggar Des Grieux will soon tire of his sister, who loves clothes and entertainment.
Act two
The curtain rises and we find ourselves in Manon's rich boudoir. She is surrounded by maids who help her dress and comb her hair. Mademoiselle Lescaut could not stand the impoverished life with Des Grieux, and now she is supported by the rich old man Geront. The brother comes and admires the luxury that surrounds his sister. In his aria, he glorifies this rich life, which he admires. But in response, Manon speaks in E-flat major about his longing for Des Grieux. She is not happy with the madrigal (this is a pastiche of a pastoral), which the hated old man composed for her. Geront enters her with friends and a dance teacher. Everyone is fascinated by her, and she sweetly hums the tune of the minuet. Finally everyone leaves and Des Grieux appears. “You, my love, you,” Manon cannot believe her eyes. They reproach each other, but also passionately assure that their love is eternal. And then Geront appears.
At first he is ironic, but then, when the beauty in the mirror shows him his old ugly face, Geront, full of malice, decides to take revenge. And the lovers agree to run away. The brother comes and says that they need to hurry, since Geront is leading the guards here to arrest Manon for her dissolute life. She takes too long to get ready and the guards come. She is arrested and taken away, despite all Des Grieux's despair.
Here is a brief retelling of the contents of Manon Lescaut.
Act three
It begins with a short and frightening intermezzo. This is a drama - the road to Le Havre. The curtain rises. Brother Manon and Des Grieux stand on the square early in the morning. They are thinking about how to rescue the girl from the transit prison. The brother offers to bribe the guards. At the window, the unfortunate Manon looks out from behind the bars. She, along with other fallen women, prepares to be sent on a ship to America. All her hopes are connected with Des Grieux: “Beloved, you will save me.” But all the women, chained, are taken to the square. Meanwhile, they are reading the list of those who will now be sent overseas. The crowd in the square is discussing this, sympathizing with some, condemning others. Manon must be put on a ship. She touchingly says goodbye to her beloved and asks him to return home. Des Grieux begs the captain to take him with him to be near his beloved. There is a strain in his voice. The captain is touched by his pleas and allows him to rise. Des Grieux runs up the ladder and falls into the arms of his beloved. The composer skillfully intertwined all the musical lines, and they turned into a single scene filled with dynamics.
Act four
America. Manon and Des Grieux in the desert. They fled from the city because the son of the head of the colony decided to take possession of the young beauty, and Des Grieux killed the rapist. Evening is falling, night is approaching. They are both walking with all their strength. There is no housing, no food, no drink around. Manon can only go as long as Des Grieux supports her. But soon she faints. Des Grieux, crying out of fear for her, tries to bring Manon to her senses. When she comes to her senses and sees her lover in tears, she says that his tears are burning her heart. She asks for a drink. Des Grieux, after hesitating, goes in search of water. His soul is heavy: how will Manon endure loneliness? And the unfortunate girl, left alone, begins to rave. She sends curses to her beauty, which brought them both to such a nightmare. Manon is afraid of death, she grows weaker and weaker. Des Grieux returned. He found nothing.
Manon asks him to hug her. She wants, if she were to die, then only in his arms. The girl again tells the gentleman that she loves him, and this love will never die. Des Grieux, sobbing, holds her dead friend in her hands. This ends Manon Lescaut.
If you can listen to this wonderful duet endlessly, then the scenery and costumes are somewhat discouraging. On the stage there is a huge mirror, a five-meter doll, then large white balls, like beads, which the artists roll around every now and then to each other, and in the last act there are two main performers on stage and on a clean white wall behind them appears the inscription of the text of their performance translated into Russian.
Not best experience They also produced costumes. Des Grieux in this scarf has the whole performance, like in a collar.
But I’m probably just an old, retarded grandma.
The opera was a simply stunning success. The ovation lasted about twenty minutes, the actors took bows countless times. Perhaps I am beginning to love opera, especially if there is a translation.