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2002 production photo from Eugene Onegin

Eugene Onegin 2002

June 28 - August 22, 2002

A poignant story of love unfulfilled…

…features the epic sweep of music by Russia’s most romantic composer.

Music By
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Libretto By
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky

Synopsis

Act I

While the sisters Tatyana and Olga Larina sing a melancholy love song, Madame Larina reminisces with Filipyevna, the aged nurse. Peasants are heard singing, announcing the completion of the harvest. Down-to-earth Olga chides Tatyana for being a dreamer. Madame Larina remarks how pale Tatyana looks. Tatyana explains how she thrills to the stories of ill-fated lovers. Lensky, a neighboring landowner, arrives with his sophisticated friend, Eugene Onegin. Lensky courts Olga. Tatyana recognizes in Onegin the man whom she believes Fate has chosen for her.

Later that evening, Tatyana writes a long letter to Onegin, declaring her love for him and leaving herself to his mercy.

The next day, Onegin calls on Tatyana, coolly explains that he could never be happy married to her, and advises her to control her feelings in the future. He leaves the humiliated Tatyana behind.

Act II

At Tatyana’s “Name-Day” ball, some guests waltz while others gossip about Onegin. Hearing them, he becomes angry that Lensky brought him to this party and decides to make Lensky jealous. Onegin dances with the flirtatious Olga; when Lensky reproaches her, she brushes him aside and keeps dancing with Onegin.

Lensky becomes agitated and denounces Onegin in front of everyone. Onegin accepts Lensky’s challenge to a duel. The next morning, Lensky recounts his love for Olga. Lensky and Onegin question their resolve, but they cannot turn back from the duel. Onegin shoots Lensky dead.

Act III

Years later, after wandering abroad, Onegin has returned to St. Petersburg. He is bored at a party, despite the lively entertainment. Tatyana enters with her husband, the war hero Prince Gremin. Gremin ‘introduces’ Onegin to Tatyana and tells of their happy marriage.

Onegin is struck by Tatyana’s cultivated poise and beauty, and realizes to his surprise that he is in love with her. The next day, Onegin calls on Tatyana, whose feelings have been stirred by seeing him again. She discourages him, but admits that she loves him. Resolving to stay true to her husband, she flies from the room, leaving Onegin alone to despair.

Artists

Rod Gilfry headshot

Rod Gilfry

Baritone

Eugene Onegin (June 28 - July 3)

Nicolai Janitzky headshot

Nicolai Janitzky

Baritone

Eugene Onegin (July 6 & 12)

Scott Hendricks headshot

Scott Hendricks

Baritone

Eugene Onegin (July 19- August 22)

Patricia Racette headshot

Patricia Racette

Soprano

Tatyana

Beth Clayton headshot

Beth Clayton

Mezzo-soprano

Olga

Kurt Streit headshot

Kurt Streit

Tenor

Lensky

Judith Christin headshot

Judith Christin

Mezzo-soprano

Larina (June 28 - July 19)

Kathleen Clawson headshot

Kathleen Clawson

Mezzo-soprano

Larina (July 30- August 22)

Susan Shafer headshot

Susan Shafer

Mezzo-contralto

Filipyevna

Tim Willson headshot

Tim Willson

Tenor

Monsieur Triquet

Valerian Ruminski headshot

Valerian Rumininsky

Bass-baritone

Prince Gremin (June 28-July 6)

Eric Halfvarson headshot

Eric Halfvarson

Bass-baritone

Prince Gremin (July 12 -August 22)

Branch Fields headshot

Branch Fields

Bass

Captain Petrovich

Bert K. Johnson headshot

Bert K. Johnson

Bass

Zaretsky

Mauricio Trejo O'Reilly headshot

Mauricio Trejo O'Reilly

Tenor

Monsieur Guillot

Alan Gilbert headshot

Alan Gilbert

Conductor

Jonathan Miller headshot

Jonathan Miller

Director

Isabella Bywater headshot

Isabella Bywater

Scenic & Costume Designer

Duane Schuler headshot

Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Pearl Potts headshot

Pearl Potts

Choreographer

Robert Wood headshot

Robert Wood

Chorus Master