Premiere

Eugene Onegin

opera in three acts

music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky

12+

for viewers over 12 years old

At the Mikhailovsky Theatre, Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato turns to the famous “lyrical scenes”: “Eugene Onegin” by Pyotr Tchailovsky will be his second opera production. Elegant and refined neoclassical style, inherent in all the master’s productions, emphasize the beauty of great music and the depth of images.

The regular collaborators of Nacho Duato, stage designer Jaffar Chalabi and costume designer Angelina Atlagic, are working on the production. Musical Director -Alexander Soloviev.

“Eugene Onegin” was first performed in 1879 by students of the Moscow Conservatory — young and sincere artists were able to convey the full depth and lyricism of this opera. Today, at the Mikhailovsky Theatre the main roles are being rehearsed by young and talented singers who brilliantly embody the characters created by Tchaikovsky: Alexandra Sennikova, Margarita Shapovalova, Kristina Kalinina, Semyon Antakov, Igor Podoplelov, Sergey Kuzmin, Egor Martynenko, Irina Shishkova, Victoria Voytenkova and Alexander Bezrukov.

Act one

Larins’ estate. While Tatiana and Olga are singing, their mother and old nanny recollect their own youth. Following the old tradition, peasants come to congratulate the owners of the estate on finishing the harvest. Suddenly new guests arrive: the Larins’ neighbour, Vladimir Lensky, who is in love with Olga, introduces his friend Eugene Onegin, who recently arrived from St Petersburg. Tatiana falls in love with Onegin.
At night, left alone, Tatiana writes a letter to Onegin. At dawn she asks the nanny to hand it over.
Alley in the garden. Here Tatiana is waiting for a meeting with Onegin. The young man is deeply moved by Tatiana’s sincerity, but is cold towards her: he is not created for family life and cannot reciprocate her feelings.

Act two

Ball at the Larins’. Guests came for Tatiana’s name day. The provincial ball irritates Onegin. He is angry with Lensky, who persuaded him to come here. In retaliation, Evgeniy begins to court Olga. Lensky is shocked by the behaviour of his friend and the betrayal of Olga, who graciously accepts signs of attention from the other. He challenges Onegin to a duel.
Before the duel, Lensky is full of sad forebodings. Onegin appears with a second. Friends can still make peace, but each of them is too proud. A shot is heard. Lensky is killed.

Act three

Ball in St Petersburg. Among the guests there is Onegin, who has just returned from abroad. Prince Gremin introduces him to his wife. Onegin recognizes her as Tatiana. Amazed by her transformation, he realizes that he is in love with her.
Tatiana reads Onegin’s letter. Suddenly he himself appears. Tatiana still loves him, but the past cannot be returned. She is married and will be faithful to her husband. Onegin realizes that he has lost her forever.