Based on Alexander Pushkin's poetic novel Eugene Onegin, the ballet Onegin is set to music by Tchaikovsky and performed in three acts. Choreographer John Cranko adapted the poem to ballet and it was first performed in April 1965 in Stuttgart. Onegin has been met with critical acclaim and is regarded to be one of modern ballet's greatest adaptations. The version performed today is a further re-working that Cranko made in 1967.
The first scene in Act One introduces us to all the major characters in the ballet. Preparations are underway for birthday celebrations for Tatiana and the ballet begins with Madame Larina, Olga and the family nurse putting the finishing touches to their outfits. Olga is engaged to a poet called Lensky and he arrives to the celebrations with a handsome stranger from the city - Onegin. Tatiana is instantly enamored with the cosmopolitan Onegin who is unlike the men she usually meets in her country surroundings but Onegin regards Tatiana as an unworldly country girl. Act One Scene Two is set in Tatiana's bedroom and sees Tatiana in a state of infatuation with the handsome gentleman from the city. Overwhelmed with the flush of first love Tatiana writes an impassioned love letter and presents it to her nurse to give to Onegin.
In the first scene in Act Two, Tatiana's birthday party celebrations are in full swing. The local gentry have turned up to celebrate and they speculate on the possibility of a blossoming romance between Onegin and Tatiana. Prince Gremin is also in attendance and this older man is the preferred future husband of Madame Larina for her daughter, Tatiana. Onegin finds the whole scenario boring however and he has been put into a bad mood by Tatiana's love letter, which he regards as childish. He finds Tatiana and tears her love letter up in front of her telling her he will never love her, leaving the young girl distraught. Bored Onegin flirts with Olga in an attempt to provoke Lensky that spectacularly backfires. Lensky is enraged by the flirting of his so-called friend and challenges him to a duel.
Act Two Scene Two sees the duel between Lensky and Onegin spiral out of control Olga and Tatiana try in vain to persuade Lensky not to fight but his wounded prided spurs him on. The consequences are tragic though with Onegin killing Lensky. Tatiana realises her love for Onegin was based on illusion and sees him for the cold-hearted and shallow person he really is. In the first scene of Act Three Onegin returns to St Petersburg after several years to attend a ball at the palace of Prince Gremin. The prince has married Tatiana who is now more worldly wise and has grown to be a beautiful young woman. Onegin regrets his treatment of the younger Tatiana and is overcome with regret about losing the chance to be with her.
In the final scene set in Tatiana's boudoir Onegin appears after sending the young princess a letter expressing his love and regret. Tatiana still feels the same passion for him but concludes that she would never be able to respect him. The tables are reversed as Tatiana orders Onegin to leave her alone forever. - 42265
The first scene in Act One introduces us to all the major characters in the ballet. Preparations are underway for birthday celebrations for Tatiana and the ballet begins with Madame Larina, Olga and the family nurse putting the finishing touches to their outfits. Olga is engaged to a poet called Lensky and he arrives to the celebrations with a handsome stranger from the city - Onegin. Tatiana is instantly enamored with the cosmopolitan Onegin who is unlike the men she usually meets in her country surroundings but Onegin regards Tatiana as an unworldly country girl. Act One Scene Two is set in Tatiana's bedroom and sees Tatiana in a state of infatuation with the handsome gentleman from the city. Overwhelmed with the flush of first love Tatiana writes an impassioned love letter and presents it to her nurse to give to Onegin.
In the first scene in Act Two, Tatiana's birthday party celebrations are in full swing. The local gentry have turned up to celebrate and they speculate on the possibility of a blossoming romance between Onegin and Tatiana. Prince Gremin is also in attendance and this older man is the preferred future husband of Madame Larina for her daughter, Tatiana. Onegin finds the whole scenario boring however and he has been put into a bad mood by Tatiana's love letter, which he regards as childish. He finds Tatiana and tears her love letter up in front of her telling her he will never love her, leaving the young girl distraught. Bored Onegin flirts with Olga in an attempt to provoke Lensky that spectacularly backfires. Lensky is enraged by the flirting of his so-called friend and challenges him to a duel.
Act Two Scene Two sees the duel between Lensky and Onegin spiral out of control Olga and Tatiana try in vain to persuade Lensky not to fight but his wounded prided spurs him on. The consequences are tragic though with Onegin killing Lensky. Tatiana realises her love for Onegin was based on illusion and sees him for the cold-hearted and shallow person he really is. In the first scene of Act Three Onegin returns to St Petersburg after several years to attend a ball at the palace of Prince Gremin. The prince has married Tatiana who is now more worldly wise and has grown to be a beautiful young woman. Onegin regrets his treatment of the younger Tatiana and is overcome with regret about losing the chance to be with her.
In the final scene set in Tatiana's boudoir Onegin appears after sending the young princess a letter expressing his love and regret. Tatiana still feels the same passion for him but concludes that she would never be able to respect him. The tables are reversed as Tatiana orders Onegin to leave her alone forever. - 42265
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