Onegin
Alexander Pushkin’s classic novel “Eugene Onegin” returns to the stage in the ballet devised by the late great choreographer John Cranko, giving audiences a new opportunity to witness a classic piece of work from some renowned talents. Over the years it has been held in high regard, with the original novel receiving considerable attention in its time and Cranko’s ballet becoming amongst his best known works. When it appears at the Royal Opera House this September, audiences can expect a spectacular showcase featuring some highly skilled performers as “Onegin” delights crowds all over again.
The original novel of “Eugene Onegin” introduces us to a wealth of memorable characters, including the title role – a city dweller who has grown tired of his life and who inherits an estate in the countrywide. Whilst there he meet his neighbour Lensky, who is engaged to Olga, and they spark up a friendship that eventually leads to his meeting with Olga’s sister Tatiana. She instantly falls for Onegin, but he rejects her advances in a humiliating fashion – something he may later come to regret. Later, Lensky is killed at Onegin’s hands after he reluctantly fights him in a duel and in his remorse he decides to move back to the city. It is here, years later that he once again meets Tatiana, who has changed considerably since their first meeting and is now someone who Onegin could fall for. But a lot has changed since his time on the estate and for Tatiana his proposal has arrived far too late.
Cranko combined the story by Pushkin with music from Tchaikovsky to bring “Onegin” to the stage as a renowned ballet and with its complex, though compelling, plot it has managed to attract many admirers since it was first staged. The story is famous for various set pieces, including Onegin’s memorable announcement of his rejection of Tatiana, and as a result is likely to remain a highly regarded ballet well into the future.
When it is performed at the Royal Opera House from September it will feature Federico Bonelli, Johan Kobborg, David Makhateli and Thiago Soares in the title role. Alongside them as Tatiana will be Alina Cojocaru, Mara Galeazzi, Roberta Marquez and Laura Morera.
“Onegin” makes its appearance at the Royal Opera House from Thursday 30th September 2010 to Monday 25th October 2010.
