Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin
Act 1, Scene 1
At her estate in provincial Russia, the widow Larina lives with her two daughters, Tatiana and Olga, and their nurse Filipyevna. Listening to her girls’ singing lesson, Madame Larina wistfully recalls her youth, and a romance in St Petersburg before her marriage. Peasants are heard singing as they return from work in the fields. Their responses to the peasants’ song distinguish the two young sisters: Tatiana, the elder, is sensitive, much given to reading sentimental novels; Olga, on the other hand, is carefree.
Their neighbour Lensky arrives with his friend Onegin, a reputed misanthrope who has lately come from St Petersburg to take possession of his uncle’s property. Onegin swiftly disturbs Lensky’s idealism, commenting in private that he “would have picked Tatiana”. The couples walk the grounds, and then go in to supper.
Scene 2
Unable to sleep, Tatiana confides to her nurse that she is in love. In the course of the night she pours out her heart as she writes – but does not sign – a letter to Onegin, bearing all the influences of the novels she reads. In the morning she orders her reluctant nurse to see that it is delivered.
Scene 3
Onegin calls. Identifying Tatiana as the author of the letter, he is at first generous. He claims that he is not suited to marriage, however affecting her appeal. Coldly, he advises her to be more prudent.
Act 2, Scene 1
Several weeks later, a ball is held on Tatiana’s name-day. Lensky has persuaded Onegin to attend, promising that it will only be an informal supper; when they arrive, Onegin is appalled by the uncouth crowd and by Tatiana’s tearfulness. He resolves to revenge this awkwardness on his friend by flirting with Olga. Lensky is quickly jealous, and he is not distracted by the song of the French tutor, M Triquet. Enraged by Onegin’s conduct, and by Olga’s apparent faithlessness, Lensky challenges Onegin to a duel. Publicly insulted by his friend, Onegin accepts the challenge, and the party is ruined.
Scene 2
As he waits for Onegin at dawn, Lensky considers how unlike his present condition were the days of youth he idealised in his poems. Onegin arrives late, and heedless of the etiquette of duelling. Each wills the other to stop the duel, but neither will take the initiative. The conduct of the duel is a shambles, and Lensky is fatally shot.
Act 3, Scene 1
Returning to St Petersburg after years of aimless travel, Onegin is still haunted by the spectre of his one friend. At a ball he sees Tatiana, now the cool, elegant wife of his aged relative, Prince Gremin. Gremin’s praise of married life, like the lyrical outbursts of Lensky, affects Onegin strangely. He decides that he must be in love with Tatiana.
Scene 2
For some time since they met at the ball, Onegin has been writing impassioned letters to Tatiana. Finally she summons him to her house in order to ask him to write no more. She voices her suspicion that he pursues her only in order to gain notoriety by destroying her character and marriage. She reminds him of his own dismissal of her innocent, if ill-advised love letter – but he surprises her by quoting her own (memorised?) expressions back at her. He contrasts his ardour with what he supposes to be her bleak, loveless situation. She confesses that she still loves him, even knowing him as she now does, but resolves nonetheless to be faithful to her marriage vows. When Onegin will not leave, she leaves him. Onegin sees the ruin that lies ahead of him.