Onegin

Act 1 – In the country

Scene 1 – MADAME LARINA’S GARDEN
Madame Larina receives the friends of her daughters Tatiana and Olga. While cheerful Olga is focused on her new dress, the more romantically inclined Tatiana remains absorbed by her book. Madame Larina glances nostalgically at the mirror on the table. It is said that whoever looks into it will see the face of their beloved.

The myth becomes reality when Olga peers into the mirror and sees the reflection of her recently-arrived fiancé, the poet Vladimir Lensky. However, when it is Tatiana’s turn to look into the mirror, she discovers the face of a stranger. His name is Eugene Onegin and he has come from Saint Petersburg to visit his friend Lensky. Onegin is a rather jaded man who casts an ironic eye on everything and everyone. He does not really pay attention to Tatiana, but after he leaves, Tatiana is left profoundly unsettled.

Scene 2 – TATIANA’S BEDROOM
The usually reserved Tatiana writes an impassioned letter to Onegin, which she then rips up and then rewrites. Exhausted, she drifts into slumber. As she sleeps, she dreams of the man whoappeared in the mirror and inspired love in her.

Act 2

Scene 1 – MADAME LARINA’S HOUSE
Tatiana’s birthday is being celebrated. Lensky and Onegin are among the guests. Maintaining a certain aloofness, Onegin asks Tatiana to dance, but quickly abandons her to sit at a gaming table. Disconcerted, Tatiana, who was waiting for a sign in response to her letter, tries to talk to him.

When Onegin returns her letter to her Tatiana bursts into tears. Irritated by her reaction, Onegin rips up the letter in front of her. The arrival of Prince Gremin, a family friend, serves as a distraction. However, when a cynical Onegin starts flirting with Olga, he arouses Lensky’s jealousy which results in the latter challenging his former friend to a duel.

Scene 2 – A DESERTED PARK
Lensky is the first to arrive at the scene of the duel. Olga and Tatiana beg him to abandon the confrontation. Onegin also seems ready to make amends, however, the romantic poet, his self-esteem injured, demands that redress be made. Onegin aims his pistol. A shot rings out and Lensky falls to the ground.

Act 3 – Saint Petersburg

Scene 1 – a ball at Prince Gremin’s home
Ten years have passed. Eugene Onegin has travelled far and wide but he returns to Saint Petersburg without any illusions. Invited to the ball given by Prince Gremin, he recognises Tatiana and discovers that she is now the Prince’s wife. The romantic adolescent has become an elegant young woman.

He rushes towards her but Tatiana turns away. Shaken, he sees his past unfold before his eyes and is left with the feeling he has wasted his life by forsaking his one great love.

Scene 2 – Tatiana’s boudoir
Onegin writes a letter to Tatiana announcing his imminent arrival. Tatiana dreads the encounter and in vain pleads with her husband not to leave her alone that evening. Onegin arrives and reveals his feelings for her. Tatiana tries to resist while recognising she has never stopped loving him.

However, her conscience commands her to conceal her passion. Repeating the same hurtful gesture, she rips up Onegin’s letter in front of him.