Puccini: Manon Lescaut (complete opera recorded in 1972)

With an unrivaled catalogue of over 450 complete opera recordings produced over the last 60 years and an illustrious succession of artists that today includes such names as Montserrat Caballe, Angela Gheorghiu, Plácido Domingo, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Antonio Pappano and Carlo Maria Giulini EMI Classics, with its sister label Virgin Classics, can rightly claim to be the Home of Opera.

Puccini s Manon Lescaut is an Italian lyric tragedy drama. The opera is centered on Manon Lescaut (Montserrat Caballé), a beautiful young girl about to be sent to a convent. When Chevalier Des Grieux (Placido Domingo) sees her the flame of passion between them is ignited. Manon s life is a winding one: seduced by riches that ultimately trigger her downfall but ultimately finding redemption in Des Grieux s love for her. Conductor Bruno Bartoletti leads the New Philharmonia Orchestra as they traverse Puccini s gorgeous melodies that permeate the opera, from Manon s poignant arias to the lush orchestral score.