Manon Ballet is a ballet in three acts by the composer Jules Massenet, to a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille. It was based on the novel L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by the Abbé Prévost and first performed at the Opéra Comique in Paris on 19 January 1884.
The music for Manon Ballet was composed by Jules Massenet, who wrote three other operas besides this one. He was known for his lyricism and melodious music, both of which he applied to this piece.
He used a variety of musical styles, from traditional French dance music to German lieder and even folk songs from various countries. His score for Manon Ballet has become one of his most popular works, with its waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, and other light dances that bring the story to life.
Massenet’s work on Manon Ballet earned him accolades from both critics and audiences alike. The piece was an immediate success when it premiered in 1884, with many praising Massenet’s skillful handling of both the music and the libretto. The piece has been performed over the years by some of the greatest ballet companies in the world, including American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet London and Bolshoi Ballet Moscow.
In addition to its popularity onstage, Manon Ballet has also been adapted into film several times over the years. The most famous adaptation is probably Jean-Luc Godard’s 1968 movie “Two or Three Things I Know About Her,” which uses excerpts from Massenet’s score as part of its soundtrack. Other film adaptations include “Manon” (1949) starring Leslie Caron and “Manon des Sources” (1986) starring Emmanuelle Béart.
Jules Massenet’s music for Manon Ballet is a testament to his skill as a composer and his ability to capture emotion through music. His use of different musical styles brings out different aspects of Manon’s story while still maintaining an overall unity throughout the piece that keeps audiences captivated until the end.
Conclusion: Jules Massenet wrote the music for Manon Ballet which is widely recognized as one of his most successful works due to its lyrical beauty, melodic beauty and masterful use of various musical styles from around Europe. It has also been adapted into several films over time further expanding its reach around world making it one of Massenet’s most beloved works today.