Finds From a Pre-Digital Age Unearthed

This is a thrilling performance of Puccini’s first signature opera, recorded live at La Scala in June 1998. Riccardo Muti is simply among the best at all this, moving the score along but also lovingly responding to Puccini’s flexible lines.

Jose Cura continues his rightful ascent into tenor superstardom, making a ringing, ardent, irresistible Des Grieux. If he occasionally goes over the top with Italianate catch-in-the-throat vocalism, well, the role of obsessed lover certainly justifies it. Maria Guleghina is more restrained and cool as Manon, an edge of maturity and suffering sounding rather early in the proceedings. But when she gives way to the character’s emotions or scales the heights, the effect is all the more electrifying.

Lucio Gallo is a woolly but insinuating Lescaut, Luigi Roni a worn but dignified Geronte.

You hear audience applause--mostly at the ends of the acts--but amazingly, the fans appear to have refrained (as they were no doubt requested to) from erupting after the big arias and orchestral perorations.