The students and girls, who have been observing the couple, comment mockingly on his good fortune (Edmondo, students: La tua ventura ci rassicura – Your good fortune encourages us). After Manon leaves, des Grieux sings of his feelings for her (des Grieux: Donna non vidi mai – Never before have I beheld a woman such as this). Donna non vidi mai simile a questa A dirle: io t’amo, a nuova vita l’alma mia si desta.
![donna non vidi mai donna non vidi mai](https://media.senscritique.com/media/000000846814/source_big/Manon_Lescaut_Opera_Donna_Non_Vidi_Mai.jpg)
He offers to help her, and when Lescaut calls her he begs her to meet him later she reluctantly agrees. She sits, as des Grieux, who has been fixated on her, approaches her and declares his feelings for her (des Grieux, Manon,: Cortese damigella – Gentle lady), only to learn she is destined for a convent at the will of her father. The other passengers enter the Inn, while Lescaut signals Manon to wait for him. Des Grieux is also smitten (Dio, quanto è bella! – Dear God, such beauty!). The crowd comments (Chorus, Edmondo, Lescaut, des Grieux, Geronte: Discendono, vediam! – Look, they are getting down!) Edmondo and the students admire Manon (Chi non darebbe a quella donnina bella? – Who would not give to that beautiful young woman?). The orchestral accompaniment of the melody is very rich, the tuning of the accompanying instruments with divided strings spans several octaves, emphasizing Lescaut’s passion with notes in extreme registers.A postillion horn is heard and the carriage from Arras pulls up at the Inn, as the crowd peers in to see who the passengers are (Chorus: Giunge il cocchio d'Arras! – Here comes the Arras coach!) Lescaut (Manon's brother), then an elderly treasurer-general, Geronte di Ravoir, descend from the coach, Geronte helping Manon, then the remainder of the passengers. The ¾ meter gives the piece a lilting, dreamy character. The aria that now follows is the most famous piece of this opera and the first famous aria that the then 33-year-old Puccini had written…. Peter Dvorsky performs Donna non vidi mai from Puccinis Manon Lescaut. He thinks rapturously of the beautiful young woman. Sorry, this clip is not currently available. Soon they are interrupted, her brother has returned and leads her to her room. Manon wants to know his name and promises to return in the evening. Des Grieux offers her his help to escape her fate. He learns her name and that she will be leaving the next day to go to the convent on her father’s orders. When Lescaut goes to the inn to take care of the overnight stay, she is alone for a moment, and Des Grieux approaches her. Des Grieux catches sight of young Manon and immediately falls in love with her. Manon and her brother Lescaut get out of it and stop for the night. A fanfare announces the arrival of a stagecoach. The students greet Des Grieux and tease him because he has no luck in love. Students, citizens, young girls and soldiers stroll across the square. The aria DONNA NON VIDI MAI – Synopsis & Background
![donna non vidi mai donna non vidi mai](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GHwsvBuGOAg/maxresdefault.jpg)
![donna non vidi mai donna non vidi mai](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AhJeEBw4m-w/hqdefault.jpg)
If you would like to read and hear more about the opera MANON LESCAUT, click on this link to the opera portrait.
![donna non vidi mai donna non vidi mai](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/akZIW9P2SOo/hqdefault.jpg)
Read interesting facts and listen to great YouTube videos of Puccini’s famous aria “DONNA NON VIDI MAI”. The Portrait of Giacomo Puccini’s aria DONNA NON VIDI MAI
DONNA NON VIDI MAI PLUS
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