The last act finds Manon and her lover in America, wandering on the plains near the territory of New Orleans. They are lost in a strange country, weary and thirsty, and the delicate form of Manon is racked with fever. Bravely she tries to keep on and to lend encouragement to her heavy hearted companion but at last is overcome with exhaustion and falls in a swoon. The distracted young man revives her and leaves her for a few moments in the hope of finding some woodland hut which may afford them refuge. At sunset he returns unsuccessful, to find her delirious. Finally, as her weakness increases, the terrible realization that the chill of death is upon his beloved Manon is forced upon him. With her last breath Manon finds joy in protesting the depths of her love, murmuring at the last, Time will obliterate my faults But my love will never die.
The work which captivated Italy and which has made its way successfully into other countries is an example of the new school of realism. Many of its scenes are treated with great power, notably the embarkation at Havre. There
have been several operatic versions of Abbe Prevost's cele brated but unpleasant romance, among them one by Auber, one by Massenet and one by Kleenmichel, but this is gen erally conceded to be the best. It was Puccini's first success.
Notable passages are the song of heart-free Des Grieux, " Tra voi, belle, brunee bionde " (" With you fair ones, brunette or blonde ") ; the chorus which welcomes the arrival of the diligence; Des Grieux's greeting to Manon, " Oh, come gravi le vostre parole " ("Ah, how earnest are thy speech and manner ") ; the charming duet of Manon and her brother ; the music of the minuet ; Manon's song, " L'ora, O Tirsa, e vaga e bella " (" The hour, 0 Tersa, is fav'ring and fair ") ; the rapturous duet when the lovers meet in Geronte's salon; the lovely intermezzo before Act III; the roll-call of the sergeant on the dock at Havre; Des Grieux's plea to the commandant to take him on board and Des Grieux's song to Manon in the wilderness, " Non mi rispondi, amore " (" Wilt thou not answer? beloved ").