Seattle Opera: Eugene Onegin
$35 & up
Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky – Eugene Onegin
The gifted Nutcracker composer returns to McCaw Hall with an elegant Russian romance. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s verse novel, the poignant opera chronicles a young woman’s infatuation with a dashing but restless nobleman. Alas, their emotions are out of sync. His lack of empathy sets in motion a series of regrettable events, culminating in remorse, loneliness, and love unfulfilled.
Tchaikovsky’s lush and lyrical music includes show-stopping ballroom dances, tense confrontations, blissful duets, forlorn farewells, and of course Tatyana’s tour-de-force “Letter Aria.” A sophisticated and melancholy masterpiece by one of classical music’s most universally beloved composers.
Younger audiences may find Eugene Onegin's lush orchestra, glittering costumes, and lively dance scenes more compelling than the nuanced psychology of the characters portrayed by the solo singers. Tweens and teens will get more out its sad story of unfulfilled love than younger children.
In Russian with English Subtitles | at McCaw Hall
Performance time: 3 hours, 10 minutes including two intermissions
Movie-style rating: PG for use of guns in the staging of a duel, the on-stage killing of one character