MacMillan's modern masterpiece

Marking the 25th anniversary of British choreographer and Ballet dancer Kenneth Macmillan's death, The Royal Opera House revive one of his greatest masterpieces, Manon. Considered a great modern masterpiece Manon tells the story of a forbidden romance and family betrayal.

Considered one of the most influential choreographers of his time, Kenneth Macmillan's re-telling of Abbe Prevost's extravagantly titled book "L'Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut" ignited a new found love for the once forbidden tale and has inspired countless revivals and operas.

What is Manon about?

On her way to enter into a convent Manon greets her brother, Lescaut, as he gathers with his friends in a busy courtyard of an inn near Paris. When Manon arrives she is accompanied by a wealthy gentleman, noticing that this man is clearly in love with Manon Lescaut tries to bargain with him in order to have Manon marry the man. However, whilst Lescaut's back is turned Manon and Des Grieux meet and subsequently falling in love, ending in a romantic plot to run away to Paris...