“Eugene Onegin”
Tchaikovsky — from the 2006/2007 Season
CAST: Renée Fleming, Elena Zaremba, Ramon Vargas, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Sergei Aleksashkin
The pain of unrequited love is portrayed unforgettably by two of opera’s greatest stars. Soprano Renée Fleming is musically and dramatically radiant as the shy Tatiana, who falls in love with the worldly Eugene Onegin, played with devastating charisma by baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Their mesmerizing vocalism and chemistry explode in one of opera’s most heartbreaking final scenes. With Valery Gergiev on the podium conducting Tchaikovsky’s passionate score, this performance is one for the ages.
ACT I
19th-century Russia. The widowed Madame Larina has two daughters: The romantic Tatiana spends her time reading novels; the spirited Olga is being courted by their neighbor, the poet Lenski. When he visits with his friend Eugene Onegin, Tatiana falls in love with Onegin and writes him a passionate letter. In response, Onegin declares he can only offer her friendship and condescendingly advises her to control her emotions, lest another man take advantage of her innocence.
ACT II
Onegin has reluctantly accompanied Lenski to Tatiana’s name day celebration. Bored by the occasion, he takes his revenge by flirting with Olga. Lenski’s jealousy is aroused to such a degree that he challenges Onegin to a duel. Both men are full of remorse, but neither stops what is happening. Onegin kills Lenski.
ACT III
After travelling abroad, Onegin has returned to the capital. At a ball, Prince Gremin introduces his young wife. Onegin is astonished to recognize her as Tatiana and to realize that he is in love with her. Now it is he who sends her a letter and begs her to run away with him. Tatiana admits that she still loves him but that she has made her decision and will not leave her husband, leaving Onegin desperate.