An imagined last act scene from Kenneth MacMillan's powerful telling of Manon and Des Grieux's tragic love is a masterpiece of modern ballet, set to music by Massenet depicting principal Royal Ballet dancers Anthony Dowell and Jenny Penny in a swamp. A huge python and divers emerge from the water surrounding them.

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MANON-LAST ACT oil on linen, an allegory inspired by Scene 3 – The swamp where Manon and des Grieux have escaped in Louisiana. All Manon's, Jenny Penny, her former ambitions of wealth and splendour have been renounced for her love for des Grieux, Anthony Dowell. While eluding their pursuers, Manon collapses and dies in his arms. Durand has depicted the moments before Manon dies the python under the piano symbolising that death is imminent. The divers add a touch of irony to the allegory.

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Size: 3500px × 2969px
Location: Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © André Durand / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: Yes

Keywords: act, anthony, ballet, choreographing, de, des, dowell, grieux, iii, jenny, jules, kenneth, lescaut, lhistoire, louisiana, macmillan, manon, massenet, orleans, penny, piano, prostitute, python, royal, swamp