Manon Lescaut is an opera in four scenes by Giacomo Puccini. The first performance took place 1st February 1893 at the Regal Theatre in Turin, where it obtained an outstanding success. It was composed between the summer of 1889 and October 1992.

List of the operas performed for the first time at Arena amphitheatre from the beginning to nowadays.

The Arena Opera Festival has been opened in 1913 with Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece "Aida", in order to celebrate the centennial his birth.

Giacomo Antonio Domenico Secondo Michele Maria Puccini (Lucca 22nd December 1858 - Brussels, 29th November 1924) is considered one of the best composers of opera music between the XIXth and the XXth century.

Gioacchino Antonio Rossini (Pesaro, 29th February 1792 - Paris, 13th November 1868), has been one of the greatest composers of the XIXth century.