The ballet Onegin was adapted from the verse novel Eugene Onegin written by Russian author Alexander Pushkin. Respected choreographer John Cranko adapted the three-act ballet in 1965. A further re-working was made in 1967 and this remains the version that is performed today. Onegin made its debut, performed by the Stuttgart Ballet, in Stuttgart on April 3rd 1965. The music for the ballet was arranged by Kurt-Heinz Stolze a German composer and is taken from Tchaikovsky's The Seasons.
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. The second scene in Act One is set in Tatiana's bedroom and sees the young country girl all of a flutter for the handsome Onegin. Filled with the flush of youthful first lover Tatiana writes Onegin a passionate love letter expressing her love for him. Tatiana presents the letter to her nurse with instructions for her to give Onegin the letter.
Act Two Scene One sees all the country gentry turned out to celebrate Tatiana's birthday. Madame Larina's first choice of husband for Tatiana attends the celebrations, Prince Gremin is an older man who Madame Larina believes would make the perfect match for her daughter. Onegin cannot hide his boredom and disdain for the country people and in his bad mood seeks out Tatiana to tell her he can never love her, tearing up the love letter. In a further attempt to alleviate his boredom Onegin begins to flirt with Olga. Olga reciprocates but the pair believe their flirting to be light-hearted. Lensky however does not see it this way and angrily challenges Onegin 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. Act Three Scene One is set in St Petersburg at the palace of Prince Gremin several years later. Gremin is now married to Tatiana who has blossomed into a worldly and beautiful young woman. Onegin is invited to a ball at the palace after some years traveling the globe. Onegin, struck by Tatiana's regal grace and beauty immediately regrets his previous treatment of her.
The final scene of the ballet is set in Tatiana's boudoir where she is found reading a letter from Onegin expressing his love for her. He turns up at her room eager to reconcile with her but Tatiana although still having strong feelings for him tells him she can never be happy or respect him and orders the heartbroken Onegin to leave.
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. The second scene in Act One is set in Tatiana's bedroom and sees the young country girl all of a flutter for the handsome Onegin. Filled with the flush of youthful first lover Tatiana writes Onegin a passionate love letter expressing her love for him. Tatiana presents the letter to her nurse with instructions for her to give Onegin the letter.
Act Two Scene One sees all the country gentry turned out to celebrate Tatiana's birthday. Madame Larina's first choice of husband for Tatiana attends the celebrations, Prince Gremin is an older man who Madame Larina believes would make the perfect match for her daughter. Onegin cannot hide his boredom and disdain for the country people and in his bad mood seeks out Tatiana to tell her he can never love her, tearing up the love letter. In a further attempt to alleviate his boredom Onegin begins to flirt with Olga. Olga reciprocates but the pair believe their flirting to be light-hearted. Lensky however does not see it this way and angrily challenges Onegin 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. Act Three Scene One is set in St Petersburg at the palace of Prince Gremin several years later. Gremin is now married to Tatiana who has blossomed into a worldly and beautiful young woman. Onegin is invited to a ball at the palace after some years traveling the globe. Onegin, struck by Tatiana's regal grace and beauty immediately regrets his previous treatment of her.
The final scene of the ballet is set in Tatiana's boudoir where she is found reading a letter from Onegin expressing his love for her. He turns up at her room eager to reconcile with her but Tatiana although still having strong feelings for him tells him she can never be happy or respect him and orders the heartbroken Onegin to leave.
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