Wayward Lescaut arrives on a motorbike, all black leather, chains and huge spiked hair.

WSJ: Review: Manic and Melodramatic | Massenet's 'Manon' at Op��ra Bastille in Paris

Bass-baritone Paul Gay stands out as the Comte des Grieux, and baritone Franck Ferrari clowns his way through as Lescaut.

WSJ: Review: Manic and Melodramatic | Massenet's 'Manon' at Op��ra Bastille in Paris

And having received mixed reviews in Massenet's "Manon" at the Met last season, she will try "Manon Lescaut, " Puccini's take on the character, rumored for Munich in 2014.

WSJ: Anna Netrebko | So Long, Ing��nues | Cultural Conversation by David Mermelstein