Libretto: Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky based on the eponymous novel by Alexander Pushkin

Musical director: People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Artem Makarov

Director: Recipient of the Francysk Skaryna Medal Anna Motornaya

Chorus master: People's Artist of Belarus, laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Belarus Nina Lomanovich

Choreography: Honoured Artist of Russia Igor Kolb

Designers: Lyubov Sidelnikova (sets), Tatyana Lisovenko (costumes)

Computer graphics: Viktoria Zlotnikova

Lighting designer: Honoured Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation Irina Vtornikova

Conductors: Vitali Hryshchanka, Yuri Karavaev

Sung in Russian with English surtitles

Premiere: 30 November 2024

 

 

роли исполняют

All great stories are timeless.

 

You open a book or take a seat in the auditorium… What awaits you? What are you waiting for?

 

For something that is measured by a specific epoch, or something that is not dependent on time?

 

 

Act I

 

Scene 1

 

August. A typical morning at the Larins' manor: brunch, housework and gardening, music lessons, strolls. Under the supervision of their governess, sisters Tatiana and Olga sing romance songs, nanny Filippyevna cleans the family silver and sets the table for breakfast, and the mistress of the estate, Praskovya Larina, inspects the property. The sentimental melody evoke thoughts of bygone youth – Larina and the nanny recall the past years.

 

Noon. A song is heard in the distance: peasants are heading to the manor to see the mistress. According to an old custom, they bring a decorated sheaf as a sign of the end of the harvest. A rich harvest, baskets full of berries and mushrooms, songs and dances instantly dispel the sadness.

 

Midday leisureliness is disrupted by the appearance of unexpected visitors: the young poet Vladimir Lensky, who has been in love with Olga since childhood, has come to see the Larins. He is accompanied by Eugene Onegin, a neighbour of the Larins and an inhabitant of St Petersburg, who has recently received an inheritance after the death of his uncle.

 

It gets dark. The atmosphere is noticeably filled with the romantic vibe of girlish hopes. The guests are invited into the house.

 

Scene 2

 

Night. Tatiana's room. The girl is engulfed by secret feelings. Conversations with the nanny before bedtime excite her thoughts even more, and, unable to contain her emotions, she confesses, "I am in love..." Filippyevna is confused. Tatiana asks the nanny to leave her.

 

She decides to write a letter to Onegin. Everything that overwhelms her now – dreams, doubts, desires – is all given over to the judgment of her beloved.

 

Dawn breaks. Tatiana asks the nanny to deliver the letter to Onegin. There comes a time of suspense.

 

Morning is replaced by a new day, followed by evening, then night, and a whole series of days, evenings, nights. Onegin appears to Tatiana everywhere, and even sleep does not bring peace. Time seems to have stopped.

 

Scene 3

 

It is October. Tatiana's heart bursts with longing, and the thoughts of her beloved do not leave her.

 

Suddenly Onegin appears in the manor. He politely thanks the girl for her sincerity, choosing his words and trying to be delicate in his explanations. But the girl's dreams are shattered. Pain and resentment force Tatiana to leave Onegin without an answer.

 

 

ACT II

 

Scene 4

 

January. Ball at the Larins'. Tatiana's name day is a wonderful occasion for the landowner Larina to show off in front of her neighbours: a rich sumptuous feast, guests of all sorts, brave military men led by Trifon, dances, ladies' albums, French tricks and couplets by Monsieur Triquet – this is a treat of the highest class! Perhaps, today the ardent Lensky will be ready to propose to Olga. The appearance of Eugene Onegin at the ball only adds piquant emotions: the neighbours gossip about him, not mincing words, and Eugene decides to take revenge on his friend. He begins to demonstratively gallant Olga. Vladimir is confused, he is indignant: the conflict escalates.

 

The young ladies applaud, Monsieur Triquet sings praises to the birthday girl, who is not at all happy about what is happening: "A stupid ball." The dancing continues. Lensky's anger cannot be appeased, and a quarrel breaks out – Onegin is challenged.

 

General curiosity turns into excitement, the confusion of the Larin family turns into indignation. Mr Zaretsky watches what is happening with Mephistophelean gloating and builds his insidious plan. The conflict has reached its extreme point. A duel is inevitable.

 

Scene 5

 

Early morning. Lensky and his second Zaretsky have been waiting for Onegin for a long time. Lensky is completely engrossed in thoughts about Olga. Vladimir is ready to repent, but his second is adamant. Onegin appears with an insulting delay, accompanied by his servant Guillot. Ignoring the claims of the pedant and expert on dueling rules Zaretsky, Onegin deliberately aggravates the conflict.

 

The seconds prepare for the duel. The young people reflect on their former friendship, but fail to find ways to reconcile. The law of honour is above all. Zaretsky watches the duel ritual with some pleasure. A shot rings out. Lensky is killed.

 

 

ACT III

 

Scene 6

 

February, two years later. St Petersburg. A masquerade ball is in full swing. Onegin appears, having returned from his travels. Overcome by painful memories, he is indifferent to what is happening. Everyone around discusses Onegin's sudden return to his homeland. The guests dance the écossaise brilliantly. They all wait for the arrival of Prince Gremin and his wife.

 

The Prince enters the hall arm in arm with his wife. Onegin is astound, "Can that be Tatiana?" Gremin is thrilled with his young wife and rapturously shares his feelings with Onegin. Tatiana carefully hides her emotions. She leaves the ball accompanied by her husband.

 

Onegin understands that he is madly in love! He is obsessed with the desire to immediately see Tatiana and confess his feeling.

 

Scene 7

 

The Gremins return from the ball. Tatiana is determined to keep up appearances and avoid meetings with Onegin, but Eugene bursts into her life again. His emotional confessions, pleas and repentance make her confess her love. Happiness seems to be so possible.

 

However, Onegin's triumph is illusory: Tatiana remains adamant, for she has made her choice and will remain faithful to her husband.

 

At this moment, reality falls upon Onegin with inexorable force. In endless mirror reflections, he sees all the insignificance of his position, all the futility of his belated impulses, all the worthlessness of his life. "Ignominy!  Anguish! Oh, my pitiable fate!"

 

***

All great stories are timeless.

 

The epoch and the style are only about the words, intonations and colours by means of which the artistic world will be created. This world, whether beautiful, terrible, unthinkable or so similar to the real one, will make you feel and show you the way to something intimate that is always inside you. You will see that "that" world appears as watermarks through our everyday life, it is here, it is unchangeable and eternal.

 

You just have to take a closer look.

 

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