Eugene Onegin is an opera ("lyrical scenes") in 3 acts (7 scenes), by Peter Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by Konstantin Shilovsky and the composer and his brother Modest, and is based on the novel in verse by Alexander Pushkin.
Eugene Onegin is a well-known example of lyric opera; the libretto very closely follows Pushkin's original, retaining much of his poetry, to which Tchaikovsky adds music of a dramatic nature. The story concerns a selfish hero who lives to regret his blasй rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend.
The opera was first performed in Moscow in 1879. There are several recordings of it, and it is regularly performed. The work's title refers to the protagonist.
Stage Director: Andriy Zholdak
Music Director: Mikhail Tatarnikov
Set Designers: Monika Pormale, Andriy Zholdak
Costumes: MAREUNROL’S (Rolands Peterkops and Marite Mastina-Peterkopa)
Light: AJ Weissbard
Dramaturgy: Dmitry Renansky
Assistant to Stage Director: Sergey Patramanskiy
Assistant to Music Director: Aleksey Niaga
Assistant to Set Designers: Elena Zykova
Assistant to Light Designer: Pamela Cantatore
Chorus Master: Vladimir Stolpovskikh
Production team coordinator: Kathya Zholdak
Executive Producer: Alexander Arkhipov
Eugene Onegin, a story about the Russian soul for the attentive listener, is the calling card of Russian opera around the world. At the Mikhailovsky Theatre, avant-garde director Andriy Zholdak presented a radical reading of the opera which audiences found shocking, and stunningly insightful. The play provoked a highly emotional reaction and has continued to be the subject of heated debate throughout its theatric history. „Tchaikovsky’s psychological theatre has been transformed into a different system of expression, one of figurative metaphors,“ wrote theatre critics, struck by the unconventional production. „The performance’s figurative system intensifies feeling, reveals what is hidden and turns emotion into passion.“ In turn, the director compares the score of Onegin with a forest after the rain, when drops of water remain on the foliage of the trees: „Every measure of Tchaikovsky’s music is saturated with this moisture, eroticism, and tenderness.“ The monochrome aesthetic proves to be an effective artistic touch, with the white color gradually yielding its position to the black, turning into complete darkness in the finale. The scenery, full of icy symbolism, announces the inevitable doom hanging over the heroes.
The performance is awarded with the National Theatre Award Golden Mask in three categories: “Best Opera Production”, “Best Opera Director” (Andriy Zholdak), “Best Light Designer in Musical Theatre” (AJ Weissbard).
SYNOPSIS
Scene 1
The Larins’ house. A neighbour of the Larins’, Lensky, Olga’s suitor, suddenly brings a new guest, his friend Onegin — a young man, who has recently arrived from the capital. The arrival of the new visitor perturbs the Larins’ life. The new guest is welcomed with interest. Onegin discredits Lensky’s choice of fiancée. Tatiana is deeply moved by her meeting with Onegin.
Scene 2
At night. Seeing Tatiana’s confusion, her nurse tries to distract and comfort her. When she’s alone, Tatiana writes a letter to Onegin. She thinks him to be her only one. At dawn Tatiana asks her nurse to deliver the letter to Onegin.
Scene 3
In the daytime. Tatiana anxiously awaits a response to her confession. Onegin arrives. He’s moved by Tatiana’s sincerity, but can’t return her affection.
Scene 4
Tatiana’s name day. Lensky has persuaded his friend to come to the Larins, but everything there irritates Onegin. He decides to hurt Lensky and starts courting Olga ostentatiously. Olga’s readiness to accept Onegin’s courtship makes Lensky desperate. He quarrels with Onegin and challenges him to a duel.
Scene 5
In the morning. Lensky is waiting for Onegin. He’s thinking about life with anguish and pain. Onegin, who is late, doesn’t want to bring the conflict to end. Former friends doubt their decision. But it’s too late and their escape routes are cut off. Lensky is shot dead.
Scene 6
Years have passed. After a long absence Onegin returns to city life and meets Tatiana. She is married and is the centre of attention. Onegin is shocked by her changed attitude towards him. Tatiana’s dramatic change and her inaccessibility arouse strong passion in him.
Scene 7
Onegin has secured a meeting with Tatiana. His speech is full of remorse. He demands her affection and makes her admit her love. But she has decided to change her life. Onegin is left in despair.
Casts & Credits
- Home
- |
- Tours
- |
- Day tours
- |
- Rail tours
- |
- Shore excursions
- |
- My trip
- |
- About
Group Tour Packages
Company Information
US office
3422 Old Capitol Trail Suite 1252,
Wilmington DE, 19808 USA.
US toll-free: 1-888-845-8877
Russian office
Ligovsky pr. 57, Office 19,
191040, St. Petersburg, Russia
tel: +7-812-309-5339
© 2001 – 2024 by Northern Crown, Ltd. uVisitRussia and uVisitRussia.com are registered trademarks. Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy
Why Do You Need Our Travel Expert
Contact our experts, and they will help you to plan your best trip to Russia, with attention to every detail!
Our Experts have been in the travel industry for many years, guarantee to offer first class customer service, excellent value for money and unbiased advice. They are standing by to find and build your dream holiday to one of the world's most fascinating destinations - Russia.
Your personal Travel Expert will guide you through each stage of the travel process, from choosing a program that fits you best to support during your trip.
Just tell us your e-mail, and we'll take care of everything!
Ask a Travel Expert
Leave your phone number
Your tour request has been received. Thank you !
We have sent you the confirmation message to [email]
Please make sure that you receive this message (sometimes e-mail messages may go to the spam/junk mail).
If you did not get this message, it means you will not get message with the tours' selection as well. If you use a Yahoo!, Gmail, AOL or Hotmail, we recommend to add request@uvisitrussia.com to your address book.
We recommend to leave your phone number. If we will not heard back that you received the e-mail with the tours' selection, we will contact you by phone.
And you will not miss the best tour for you.
Thank you ! Your request for Travel Expert assistance has been sent. We will e-mail you within 1 hour.