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At the country estate of the Larin family, young Tatiana Larina falls in love with Eugene Onegin, a friend of her sister Olga's fiancé, the poet Lensky. Tatiana writes an impassioned letter to Onegin during the night, but in the morning, he berates her for being so forward and suggests that she forget him.
At Tatiana's birthday party, some of the guests gossip about her and Onegin while they dance. The annoyed Onegin flirts and dances with Olga, who had promised the dance to Lensky. At Lensky's reproach, she offers another dance to Onegin. Monsieur Triquet, the French tutor, sings a song in praise of Tatiana. Once the dancing resumes, Lensky quarrels with Onegin and challenges him to a duel. Early next morning, the two meet and Lensky is killed.
Six years later, Onegin, after travels abroad, returns to St. Petersburg, and attends a ball at the home of Prince Gremin, who is now Tatiana's husband. When he meets Tatiana again, Onegin realizes that he loves her. He asks to meet her alone; she agrees. During an extended, passionate exchange, he asks her to leave with him. At first, she responds warmly, but then reminds Onegin of her duty to her husband and sends him away forever. First performance: Moscow, March 29, 1879
First San Francisco Opera performance: October 13, 1971 |
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