Manon

ballet by MacMillan

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July 17, 2026

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The ballet Manon was choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan and first performed in 1974. It is based on the 1731 novel Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost, which tells the story of the chevalier des Grieux and his tragic love for the courtesan Manon. MacMillan's ballet is known for its dramatic intensity and psychological depth, exploring themes of love, desire, and social ambition. The ballet follows Manon's descent from a young woman with potential to a life of prostitution and despair, driven by her pursuit of wealth and pleasure. Manon is considered one of MacMillan's most significant works and remains a staple in the repertoire of major ballet companies worldwide.12

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Monica Mason
…as Lescaut’s mistress in MacMillan’s Manon—rather than in the more concrete, hyperfeminine roles of many classical-ballet standards.
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…as Lescaut’s mistress in MacMillan’s Manon—rather than in the more concrete, hyperfeminine roles of many classical-ballet standards.
Read More