The Metropolitan Opera's 2025-26 season of Saturday matinee broadcasts continues on February 21 with an Artist’s Choice from soprano Asmik Grigorian. Grigorian has chosen to honor the great Italian diva Mirella Freni, who stars in a 1990 broadcast of Puccini's "Manon Lescaut."
Freni sings the title role of the beautiful young woman drawn to a life of glamor and luxury while also craving love and passion. Tenor Peter Dvorsky is Manon's lover, the Chevalier des Grieux, who's willing to give up everything in order to be with her. The cast also features Brian Schexnayder as Manon’s opportunistic brother and Italo Tajo as the wealthy old man who preys on her. Maestro Nello Santi leads the Met Orchestra and Chorus in this searing drama that was Puccini’s first big hit.
Listen to the broadcast of "Manon Lescaut" on Classical IPR at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Read the synopsis from the Metropolitan Opera.
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Domenico Oliva, Marco Praga, Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
CAST
Manon Lescaut: Mirella Freni
Chevalier des Grieux: Peter Dvorsky
Lescaut: Brian Schexnayder
Geronte di Ravoir: Italo Tajo
