Eugene Onegin
Director of The Royal Opera Kasper Holten makes his directorial debut at Covent Garden with a new production of Tchaikovsky’s poignant opera.
Photos
Introduction
When Tatyana is introduced to the dashing, unconventional Onegin, she believes that he is the hero of her dreams. But he carelessly rejects her – with tragic consequences.
News and features
Eugene Onegin to be broadcast on BBC Four on 12 April
Kasper Holten's production of Tchaikovsky's opera shown on television.
Your reaction: Eugene Onegin in cinemas
Tweets about the live relay of Kasper Holten's directorial debut with The Royal Opera.
Supporters’ Tale: Eugene Onegin
Two members of the Artists' Circle tell us how their involvement made watching the production even more rewarding.
Your Reaction: Eugene Onegin
A selection of your comments about the opening night of Kasper Holten's Royal Opera production.
Opera Essentials: Eugene Onegin
A guide to Tchaikovsky’s most popular opera.
Watch: Eugene Onegin trailer
Kasper Holten’s new production of Tchaikovsky's iconic opera is one of the treats to look forward to in 2013.
Background
Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s best-loved opera is based on Alexander Pushkin’s verse drama of the same name. It provided Tchaikovsky with an opportunity to present everyday and authentic experiences on the stage, in contrast to the epic narratives that characterized much European opera of the time. Eugene Onegin quickly became a firm favourite with Russian audiences. Within a decade of its 1879 premiere it had been performed over one hundred times in St Petersburg.
Tchaikovsky’s deep sympathy for his heroine Tatyana is shown in the tenderness of her music. Her yearning string motif opens the opera and it gains full expression in her letter aria in Act I – one of the most intense solo scenes ever written for the soprano voice. In Kasper Holten’s powerful new production, the turbulence of Tatyana and Onegin’s youth is contrasted with the self-realization they gain in later life. The staging foregrounds the power of memory and the often futile longing to undo past mistakes that comes with experience.
Please note
On 11, 16 and 20 February there will be cameras filming in the auditorium for the Live cinema relay.
On 9 February, Bow Street will be closed to traffic due to building work for this year's BAFTA awards. It will be best to arrive by foot or underground. Disabled parking on Bow Street will also be suspended.
Live cinema season
Eugene Onegin
20 February 2013
Simon Keenlyside, Krassimira Stoyanova and Pavol Breslik
Conductor: Robin Ticciati
Thanks to
Generously supported by
The Monument Trust, in memory of Simon Sainsbury
With additional philanthropic support from
The Artists’ Circle
Production Director generously supported by
Hamish and Sophie Forsyth
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 2 hours 55 minutes | including 1 interval
Language
Sung in Russian with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | Kasper Holten |
| Composer | Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky |
| Set designs | Mia Stensgaard |
| Costume designs | Katrina Lindsay |
| Lighting design | Wolfgang Göbbel |
| Video design | Leo Warner |
| Animation | Lawrence Watson |
| Choreography | Signe Fabricius |
Related links
- www.telegraph.co.uk The opera novice: Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky
- www.youtube.com Watch: Kasper Holten on his new production
- www.youtube.com Watch our Eugene Onegin YouTube playlist
- www.youtube.com Watch: Eugene Onegin Trailer
- static.roh.org.uk Eugene Onegin dining options at the Royal Opera House (PDF)
- www.roh.org.uk About Kasper Holten, director
- www.rohcollections.org.uk Eugene Onegin: Costume collection
- en.wikipedia.org Eugene Onegin – synopsis
