Eugene Onegin

Synopsis

Based on Pushkin's masterpiece of Russian literature, Tchaikovsky's great opera tells of the fated love between the innocent Tatyana and the world-weary cynic Eugene Onegin. The opera includes the famous ?letter scene', a tour-de-force of the soprano repertoire, in which Tatyana dramatically and magnificently declares her true love for Onegin, a love that is tragically rejected. The ensuing maelstrom of emotions ends in duel between Onegin and his best friend, the poet, Lensky, which leaves Lensky dead and Onegin devastated. Years later, at the St Petersburg Ball, Onegin meets Tatyana again and realises his mistake, but now the married Tatyana is unable to accept his love.

Our Review:

Barbara Maxwell - 17 October 2012

Tchaikovsky’s opera, Eugene Onegin, based on Puskin’s novel, and sung in English, follows the story of Tatyana, played Lee Bisset, and her sister Olga, (Stephanie Lewis) and their search for love. Olga is engaged to poet Lensky (Michael Bracegirdle), who introduce Tatyana to his worldly neighbour – Eugene Onegin, played by Grant Doyle. Tatyana falls desperately in love with Eugene and, throwing caution to the wind, declares her love to him in a letter. Onegin rejects her, telling her that love cannot be for him and the idea of marriage is impossible. Tatyana is left heartbroken.

At a party thrown for Tatyana’s birthday by Madame Larina (Gaynor Keeble), the girls’ mother, Onegin causes resentment by flirting with Olga. Lensky challenges him to a duel, during the course of which Lensky is killed. To escape his remorse, Onegin quits his country estate and travels abroad.

Years later Eugene learns of Tatyana’s marriage to Prince Gremin ([...

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Latest User Review

TWL - 27 October 2012:

Incredible production. The setting at the tobacco factory entices the audience & heightens the intense emotions played out on stage. One can't help being totally drawn into the gripping story. Surprisingly light to those with little opera experience & a superb night of entertainment for all. Lee Bisset & Grant Doyle command the stage and the level of tension between them grows exponentionally all the way through the performance to a climatic final scene of devastation & loss. Stephanie Lewis is simply outstanding & her on stage interaction with Michael Bracegirdle (Lensky) is overflowing with passion, jealousy & raw emotion - not to mention the outstanding vocals exhibited by all involved. Literally blown away by the overall performance & compliments must go to the Opera Project for outstanding vision & effort - clearly full of praise!...

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