Composer Jules Massenet (1842–1912) exercised a profound influence on French opera, and Manon is the masterpiece of his numerous works. Manon's 1884 premiere at the Opera-Comique in Paris secured Massenet's position as the leading French opera composer of his day. Offering an abundance of suave, sensuous melody, and what d'Indy called a "discreet and semi-religious eroticism," this opera has been a staple of the repertoire for over a century. In addition to its tremendous popularity in France, the work has been played in the leading opera houses, and the roles of Manon and Des Grieux have attracted many of the world's greatest singers, including Nellie Melba and Enrico Caruso. Massenet possessed a natural sense of graceful melody in a distinctively French style. In Manon he used leading themes and experimented with having the dialogue not sung in the usual recitativo secco but spoken over a slightly orchestral accompaniment. The opera's continuing success attests to the success of Massenet's innovation and music and opera lovers will delight in this attractive, inexpensive edition of the complete full score, reproduced from an authoritative French edition.