The story of Manon Lescaut has become part of the European imagination: she is the fun-loving woman who is irresistible to men. Of Massenet's many operas, she inspired the most popular one, and this libretto shows his minute attention to detail in bringing the character and the period to life. This guide opens with a general survey of Massenet's career by the musicologist Gerard Conde, and includes two essays about this particular opera. Professor Hugh Macdonald explores the interplay of speech and song in Manon and Massenet's genius for comedy. Professor Vivienne Mylne traces the sources and context of Prevost's novel. Contents: Massenet, Gerard Conde; A Musical Synopsis, Hugh Macdonald; Prevost and 'Manon Lescaut', Vivienne Mylne; Manon: Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille; Manon: English version by Edmund Tracey

Collection of ballets making up the Gala des Étoiles of 2015. David Coleman conducts the Teatro alla Scala in performances of, amongst others, 'La Rose Malade' by Gustav Mahler, 'The Dying Swan' by Camille Saint-Saëns and Aram Khatchaturian's 'Spartacus'.

Famous soprano Maria Callas is captured performing live in Hamburg in May 1959 and March 1962. Her programme includes excerpts from Verdi's 'Don Carlo' and 'Macbeth', Rossini's 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' and 'La Cenerentola', plus pieces by Bellini, Massenet and Gounod.

Live performance by Azerbaijan soprano Dinara Alieva in Moscow. She performs classical works by, among others, Charpentier, Massenet and Puccini, as well as more modern pieces such as 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and ' I Could Have Danced All Night'. Constantine Orbelian conducts the Russian National Orchestra and the Grand Choir 'Masters of Choral Singing'.

Live performance by Azerbaijan soprano Dinara Alieva in Moscow. She performs classical works by, among others, Charpentier, Massenet and Puccini, as well as more modern pieces such as 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and ' I Could Have Danced All Night'. Constantine Orbelian conducts the Russian National Orchestra and the Grand Choir 'Masters of Choral Singing'.

Live performance from the 2013 Odeonplatz Concert in Munich. Tenor Rolando Villazón and baritone Thomas Hampson sing works by Verdi and Wagner with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Symphonieorchester and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks. Music by Jules Massenet and Maurice Ravel is also featured.