Act I
A provincial inn. There is nothing to eat or drink. Guillot, de Brétigny and the three young ladies Poussette, Javotte and Rosette call for the innkeeper – who only serves them after several exhortations. Everyone eagerly awaits the arrival of a coachful of travellers. Lescaut too has come to pick up his cousin Manon, whom he has never met, and to escort her to a convent. When she appears, a girl of fifteen, he is blinded by her beauty and charm. Manon chatters excitedly about her journey, the first she has undertaken. Lescaut goes to play cards with two companions. While Manon is alone, the wealthy Guillot approaches her with an unmistakable offer: he offers her his carriage for them to leave together. Lescaut, once returned, impresses upon Manon that she is to rebuke any such advances – he himself is watching over their family honour and will not permit anything of the kind. Then he goes back to his card game. Manon sees all her hopes for a life in freedom and self-determination dwindle, along with her dreams of glamour and happiness. This all changes when the Chevalier Des Grieux appears – this is the much-vaunted ‘love at first sight’. Overwhelmed by their mutual attraction, they spontaneously decide to escape to Paris, where – so they think – a life in happiness awaits them. Before Lescaut returns, they disappear in the coach provided by Guillot. Lescaut searches for his cousin. He accuses Guillot of having abducted her, and demands her immediate release. Guillot, in turn, feels betrayed – during the ensuing melee, he is injured. The three ladies and de Brétigny make fun of him, and Guillot swears revenge.
Act II
A small living-room in Paris. Manon and Des Grieux have been living here for some time, on modest means, but full of mutual love. Des Grieux writes to his father: he tells him of the charming appearance of Manon, who has just turned sixteen, and asks for his blessing of their union. Together, the couple is re-reading the letter when an unwanted guest appears. Lescaut has found the lovers, and demands justification from Des Grieux. Lescaut pushes him, while de Brétigny, who has accompanied him, de-escalates – a pre-arranged set-up. De Brétigny, who adores Manon, has started a relationship with her by promising her a life in wealth and high society. Manon, who loves luxury to the point of addiction, is willing to go along, even though she truly loves Des Grieux. De Brétigny tells her that Des Grieux is to be abducted that night on his father’s orders – which would leave Manon free. After Lescaut and de Brétigny have gone, Des Grieux leaves the room to post the letter. Alone, Manon remembers the beautiful hours she has had in this room with Des Grieux. Des Grieux returns to find his lover deep in dark thoughts. He describes a paradisiacal dream world in which they might find perfect bliss. Again, a caller arrives. Des Grieux wants to see who it is, but Manon stops him. When he insists on stepping outside, he is abducted. Manon mourns their parting.
Act III, Scene 1
A glittering hall illuminated by bright lights. Salespeople praise their wares; Lescaut and Poussette, Javotte and Rosette give in to the temptations of purchases and amusement. Manon, who arrives with de Brétigny at her side, causes a stir. She acts like a ‘star’, singing the praises of youth and beauty. Des Grieux’s father, a status-conscious count, is also attending the fair. He tells de Brétigny and later also Manon of the fate of his son, who has decided to devote his life to the church, the better to forget the old, painful love stories. Manon, however, longs to return to Des Grieux.
Act III, Scene 2
A chapel at the church of St. Sulpice. Thanks to his talent as an orator, Des Grieux is highly popular with the ladies who listen to him preach. He has exchanged the title of Chevalier for that of Abbé, which his father approves of, yet still urges him to think about marrying a good girl and starting a family. Des Grieux, however, still carries Manon’s image in his heart, which he cannot forget, hard as he may try. He sinks into silent meditation. Manon herself appears, praying that her relationship with Des Grieux might be rekindled. She urges him to return to her, reminding him of love and its allures. Having initially hesitated, Des Grieux gives in: the couple confesses its love once again and reunites. Together, they escape from St. Sulpice.
Act IV
At the Hotel Transylvania, the gamblers meet. Fortune favours first one, then the other; only the card-sharps always win. Manon and Des Grieux, now completely destitute, want to try their luck at roulette. Guillot offers them a game of life and death. Manon accepts and soon falls completely under the spell of the game. Guillot accuses Des Grieux of having betrayed him; the latter seeks a confrontation. The police have surrounded the hall, and no one can escape. The count, Des Grieux’s father, has arranged for a mock arrest of his son, while Manon is to be punished for real.
Act V
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Desperate, Des Grieux wants to share Manon’s fate. Lescaut is equally desperate, since his life has lost all meaning. One last time, Manon and Des Grieux meet. They remember their former happiness and choose death together. Their fate is complete.