Young and impassioned, Tatiana hastily writes a love letter to the brooding aristocrat Onegin. She unwittingly sets off an unstoppable series of events, culminating in a chilling duel between friends, and leaving Onegin forever regretting the love he so casually spurned. A long-awaited Company premiere!
The most beloved and romantic of all Russian operas features sumptuous orchestration led by James Conlon and a marvelous cast of exciting young performers including international sensations Oksana Dyka and Dalibor Jenis.
The psychologically astute production from Covent Garden was created by legendary director Steven Pimlott.
NOTES
Company Premiere
Co-production of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Finnish National Opera
Approximately three hours and five minutes, including one intermission.
Evening performances: 7:30-10:35 p.m. (approximately)
Matinee performances: 2:00-5:05 p.m. (approximately)
It is late summer on a country estate in 1820s Russia. The widowed Madame Larina, helped by the old nurse Filipyevna, makes jam while her two daughters, the dreamy Tatiana and the practical Olga, sing an old song. Reapers bring in the sheaves from the fields. Lensky, a young poet who is betrothed to Olga, arrives with his new friend, the blasé dandy Eugene Onegin, who has recently inherited a large fortune. Though Onegin is cold and aloof, Filipyevna notices that he makes an impression upon the naive Tatiana. That night, Tatiana pours out her passion in a long love letter. Filipyevna is amazed to find the young girl still awake at dawn, asking her to take an envelope to Onegin. Tatiana soon regrets her rashness, and with good reason: Onegin calls upon her to decline her affections and advising her to be less foolhardy in the future.
Act II
The following winter, Tatiana's name-day is being celebrated with a party. Onegin waltzes with Tatiana, but overhears gossip from some of the old ladies and begins to regret that he allowed Lensky to talk him into coming. In a spiteful mood, Onegin changes partners, dancing with Olga and arousing Lensky's jealousy. The old Frenchman Triquet sings some graceful couplets in honor of Tatiana, and the Captain announces a cotillion. Growing ever more furious, Lensky soon challenges Onegin to a duel. Uproar ensues, and Lensky angrily bids Olga goodbye forever. Onegin regrets his folly, but honor impels him to accept the challenge. Lensky arrives the next dawn for the duel, musing sadly on fate and seeming to anticipate the worst, imagining Olga weeping over his grave. Onegin arrives with his French second, to the disgust of Lensky's second, Zaretsky. In asides, both gentlemen regret the silly quarrel, but their injured pride masters them. Shots are fired. To Onegin's horror, Lensky falls dead.
Act III
During the next four years, Onegin travels abroad, trying without success to exorcise his shame and grief. Feeling more empty and unfulfilled than ever, Onegin returns to Russia. He attends a ball given by the elderly Prince Gremin in Saint Petersburg, where he spies a noble and beautiful lady, who looks somewhat familiar. Prince Gremin informs him that the lady is his wife of two years, the former Tatiana Larina, who has brought great joy to his old age. Tatiana tries to hide the agitation she feels upon recognizing Onegin, who in turn is suddenly overcome with a mad passion for her. In a final interview, she admits she has never stopped loving him, but says his belated devotion is just that - too late - and she will remain faithful to her husband. As she leaves the room, Onegin collapses in despair.
With James Conlon
Tchaikovsky
