Onegin
John Cranko’s interpretation of Pushkin’s verse-novel contains some of ballet’s most emotionally charged moments, set to stirring music by Tchaikovsky.
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Introduction
When young and sensitive Tatiana declares her love for the dashing Eugene Onegin, he coldly rejects her. He idly begins to flirt with her sister, Olga - with tragic consequences.
News and features
Exploring the origins of Eugene Onegin and Onegin
We look at an opera and a ballet inspired by Pushkin's story.
Background
John Cranko became acquainted with Alexander Pushkin’s verse-novel Eugene Onegin when he choreographed the dances for Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky’s opera of the same name in 1952. He created his own distinctive version of Pushkin’s work in 1965 for the Stuttgart Ballet. Onegin displays all of Cranko’s genius as a narrative choreographer – within a tight dramatic structure, Cranko creates finely drawn characters who are changed by the conflicts that they face.
Onegin and Tatiana’s relationship is depicted in intense duets, such as the letter-writing scene, when the youthful Tatiana dances a dream pas de deux with her longed-for lover. The role of Tatiana offers a ballerina many challenges – the development of a bookish country girl into a sophisticated woman at the pinnacle of St Petersburg society requires dramatic sensibility and technical finesse. Cranko’s choreography incorporates an eclectic range of dance forms, including folk, modern, ballroom and acrobatic, and is accompanied by Kurt-Heinz Stolze’s soaring arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s music.
Please note
On 9 and 8 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.
Thanks to
Generously supported by
The Friends of Covent Garden
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Running time
About 2 hours 30 minutes | Including two intervals. Act one will last for about 40 minutes, followed by a 25 minute interval. Act two will last for about 30 minutes, followed by a 25 minute interval. Act three will last for about 30 minutes.
Credits
| Choreography | John Cranko |
| Music | Kurt-Heinz Stolze |
| Designs | Jürgen Rose |
| Lighting design | Steen Bjarke |
| Staging | Reid Anderson |
| Staging | Jane Bourne |
Related links
- s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com Onegin dining options at the Royal Opera House (PDF)
- www.telegraph.co.uk Onegin, Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, review - Telegraph
- www.theballetbag.com Onegin: summary by The Ballet Bag
