[3] In 1990, a production by the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne was staged at the Opéra-Comique with the Orchestre Régional de Picardie 'La Sinfonietta' conducted by Patrick Fournillier with Elizabeth Vidal in the title role (her first principal role), Alain Gabriel, René Massis and André Cognet, directed by David Freeman;[4] a video recording of a performance there that September was released by Le Chant du Monde.

In October 2024, the opera was performed alongside its famous companion pieces by Massenet and Puccini at the Teatro Regio Turin in laternation over 21 days.

Nonetheless, it also presents great opportunities for characterisation and (at least before the appearance of the operas on the same subject by Puccini and Massenet) was one of the staples of the operatic repertoire – not only in France, but also in Germany.

The role of the Marquis d'Herigny, written for the famous baritone, Jean-Baptiste Faure, also features several significant solos; but the tenor role of Des Grieux (given two major arias by Massenet and three by Puccini) lacks a major solo, although the character does participate in a series of fine duets, notably at the death of Manon near the end of the opera.

It is not a free-standing aria – in fact, it forms part of the act 1 finale – but ever since its creation it has been a chosen showcase for the technique of singers such as Adelina Patti (who sang it during the lesson scene in The Barber of Seville), Amelita Galli-Curci, Joan Sutherland and Edita Gruberová.