Overview
Synopsis
A dramatic tale about young lovers, Eugene Onegin portrays the interplay of friendship, jealousy, callousness, and pride and has resonated with audiences for hundreds of years. When the narcissistic Onegin spurns the affections of the young Tatiana, and kills his friend in a duel, he is filled with regret. Years later, Onegin returns home and sees the now-married Tatiana and realizes he loves her. Onegin tries desperately to win back her love. Can Onegin win back the affection of Tatiana? Or will she remain true to her new husband? This question has kept audiences on their toes for over a century, and has continued to keep Eugene Onegin as one of the most frequently performed operas each year.
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Context
In May 1877, contralto E.A. Lavrovskaya suggested that Tchaikovsky should compose an opera based on Pushkin’s novel in verse, Eugene Onegin. Pushkin’s novel had been a huge success in Russia in 1833. It was considered by many to be a treasure of Russia’s literary heritage, and because of this Tchaikovsky was originally appalled at the idea of writing an opera on this story. After spending much time considering this topic, Tchaikovsky became consumed with the story. He was especially enamored
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ACT 1
Scene One
It is a quiet late night at the country estate of Madame Larina. She is listening to the voices of her two young daughters, Olga and Tatiana, and she and the nurse, Filipevna, are reminded of their days long past. Larina recalls how she would sing romantic songs when she was young and in love. Though she was married against her will to a man not of her choosing, she has now grown quite content with her life. A peasant song is heard in the distance. The workers
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Eugene Onegin.
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Songs
- ACT 1
- Scene One
- Introduction
- Duet and quartet - Larina, Filipevna, Olga, Tatiana
- Chorus and Dance of the Peasants - Chorus, Larina, Olga, Tatiana, Filipevna
- Scene and Olga's Aria “Ja nye sposobna k grusti tomnoy” - Olga, Tatiana
- Scene - Larina, Olga, Tatiana, Filipevna, Chorus
- Scene and Quartet - Lenski, Larina, Onegin, Tatiana, Olga
- Scene and Lensky’s Arioso “Ja lyublyu vas” - Lenski, Olga, Onegin, Tatiana
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The final number of the scene - Larina, Filipevna, Lenski, Onegin, Tatiana, Olga
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Scene Two
- Intro and the scene with nurse - Tatiana, Filipevna
- The Letter Scene “Ruskai pogibnu” - Tatiana
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Scene and duet - Tatiana, Filipevna
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Scene Three
- Chorus of Peasant Girls - Chorus
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Scene and Eugene’s Aria “Kogda bï zhizn domashnim krugom” - Tatiana, Onegin, Chorus
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ACT 2
- Scene One
- Intro and waltz with scene and chorus - Chorus, Captain, Onegin, Lenski, Olga
- Scene and Couplets of Triquet “Kakoi pre krasnïi etot den” - Lenski, Olga, Onegin, Chorus, Triquet, Tatitana
- Mazurka and Scene - Captain, Onegin, Lenski, Larina
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Finale - Lenski, Onegin, Tatiana, Larina, Chorus
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Scene Two
- Intro, Scene, Lensky’s Aria “Kuda, Kuda vi udalilis” - Zaretsky, Lenski
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The Duel Scene - Zaretsky, Lenski, Onegin, Guillot
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ACT 3
- Scene One
- Polonaise - Chorus
- Scene, Eugene’s Monologue - Onegin, Chorus, Gremin, Tatiana,
- Prince Gremin’s Aria “Lyubvi fse vozrastï pokornï” - Gremin
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Scene and Arioso of Onegin “Uzhel ta samaja Tatiana” - Gremin, Tatiana, Onegin
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Scene Two
- The Final Scene - Onegin, Tatiana
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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