ballet | synopsis

[3timesachild]

The ballet takes place during an auction. The story progresses through a series of memories, recalled from various perspectives. Armand's, his father's and Marguerite's.

PROLOGUE:
Marguerite Gautier, once the most desired courtisan in Paris, is dead. At an auction, all her furniture and luxurious things are to be sold. Nanine, Marguerite's loyal servant, is carrying her diary with her, while she says goodbye to everything. Among the visitors is Monsieur Duval whose son, Armand, bursts suddenly into the room. Overwhelmed by the memories, he faints.

ACT 1:
While Monsieur Duval comforts him, Armand tells his story:

At the theatre, he was attending a performance of the ballet, "Manon Lescaut", in which the famous rococo-courtisan cheats on her lover, Des Grieux, with countless admirers. Marguerite Gautier, sitting in the audience too, is indignant at her casual unfaithfulness. Armand Duval who has long been an admirer of Marguerite's, is introduced to her by Gaston Rieux. Marguerite pokes fun at Armand's awkward earnestness. Watching the ballet, Armand fears that his fate may reflect Des Grieux's sad end. After the performance, Marguerite invites Armand home to her apartment along with Gaston, her friend Prudence and her irritating suitor, Count N. Marguerite is annoyed with the possessive and jealous Count and is overcome by a coughing fit. Armand follows her into her bedroom to offer his help and declare his love. Marguerite is very moved by his true passion, but because her illness is deadly, she needs her comforts and her credits. Thus, she insists their relationship must remain a secret.

While Marguerite continues her hectic life from one ball to the next, one suitor to the other, from the old Duke to the young Count, Armand remains always waiting for her. When Marguerite leaves for the countryhouse that the Duke has made available to her, he follows.

ACT 2:
At the auction, Marguerite's straw hat makes Armand continue his tale.

In the countryside, Marguerite continues her flamboyant life with many friends and acquaintances. The Duke finds them all frollicking and sees Marguerite with Armand. It is inevitable that there must be a confrontation between them and Marguerite has to choose. She chooses Armand and gives the Duke back his diamonds. Finally, Armand and Marguerite are alone and have nothing to hide,

Armand's father recalls regretfully his part of the story and tells it to Armand at the auction.

Ashamed that his son lives with a prostitute, Armand's father arrives at the countryhouse and begs Marguerite to leave Armand, so as not to lead him into depravation. Shocked, she denies that she's doing such a thing and refuses to leave, but the memory of Manon Lescaut haunts her. After much discussion with Armand's father, out of a true and pure love, she agrees to leave Armand. Armand's father kisses her forehead and then, her hand, before leaving.

Armand, then, tells his father how he returned to the empty house.

Waiting for Marguerite to return, he is surprised by Nanine who comes to deliver a letter. It is from Marguerite who says she has returned to her old life and luxuries in Paris, because he couldn't provide them for her. Armand can't believe it. Heartbroken, he hastens back to Paris where he finds Marguerite with the Duke once more.

ACT 3:
Armand tells his father how they would later meet at the Champs-Élysées.

Marguerite arrives with the beautiful, young courtisan, Olympe, who Armand - in an attempt to hurt and bait Marguerite - seduces and intiates a relationship to. Deadly ill, Margurite comes to him in his apartment, begging him not to hurt her further by showing off his relationship to Olympe. Their passion is re-ignited, but afterwards, Marguerite recalls Manon and her promise to Armand's father, so while he sleeps, she leaves quietly. The last time they see each other is at a big ball where Armand, drunk and upset, gives Marguerite money to pay for previous services. Marguerite breaks down and faints.

Armand has reached the end of his story. Very moved, Monsieur Duval leaves while Nanine approaches Armand to give him Marguerite's diary.

Reading Marguerite's words is like accompanying her on her last journey to the theatre where she once more sees the ballet, "Manon Lescaut", but this time the part that stands out to her is where Manon is in poverty like herself and dying. She dies in the arms of her beloved Des Grieux.

Although she leaves the theatre, the spectres of Manon and Des Grieux follow Marguerite into her feverish dreams and she sees her own story repeated in their story. Yet, at the end of the fever dream, Marguerite dies alone in her apartment. Her last words and thoughts for Armand are written down for him to have after her death.

Armand quietly closes her diary.