Manon, The Metropolitan Opera

Jun 1, 2015

“In her Met role debut, Diana Damrau was an assertive Manon, jumping at every challenge. From her coltish Act I to the discovery of passion and then materialism, she nailed each phase in what Balzac called “les splendeurs et misères des courtisanes”; she also dramatized her character’s conflicts . . . Vocally, there were reminders of this singer’s trademark vitality in her restless, buoyant Act I and in the more traditional coloratura displays of the Cours-la-Reine scene. She was alluring in the soft lines of her farewell aria, “Adieu, notre petite table,” and in the uncommonly intimate love duets.”

David J. Baker – Opera News