Puccini composed his opera 'Manon Lescaut' in 1893 and it became together with 'Tosca' his first outstanding success. He used some musical elements in Manon Lescaut from earlier works he had written. The intermezzo preceding the third act contribute to a wonderful musical variety in 'Manon Lescaut' and like many opera interludes, this intermezzo itself earned a place in the concert repertoire.