Eugene Onegin
lyric scenes in three acts
music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
performed in Russian
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).
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 is 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 is moved by Tatiana’s sincerity, but cannot return her affection.
Act II
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 is thinking about life with anguish and pain. Onegin, who is late, does not want to bring the conflict to end. Former friends doubt their decision, but it is too late and their escape routes are cut off. Lensky is shot dead.
Act III
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.
Première of the production: 26 October 2012
Libretto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky after the novel in verse by Alexander PushkinStage Director: Andriy Zholdak
Musical Director of the production:Mikhail Tatarnikov
Set Designers: Monika Pormale, Andriy Zholdak
Costumes: MAREUNROL’S (Rolands Peterkops and Marite Mastina-Peterkopa)
Light: AJ Weissbard
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Chorus: Vladimir Stolpovskikh
Principal Pianist: Alexander Pakuev
Music Dramaturgy Consultant: Dmitry Renansky
Assistant to Stage Director: Yulia Prokhorova
Assistant to Set Designers: Elena Zykova
Assistant to Costume Designers: Alla Marusina
Assistant to Lighting Designer: Pamela Cantatore
Chorus Masters: Alexey Dmitriev, Sergey Tsyplenkov
Production Team Coordinator: Kathya Zholdak
Stage Manager: Olga Kokh
