Yevgeni Onegin

Soloists:   

The Israeli Opera Chorus

Chorus Master:  Assaf Benraf

The Opera Orchestra - The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion

Libretto: the composer based on Pushkin's novella

Sung in Russian

English and Hebrew Surtitles
Translation: Israel Ouval

Duration: Aprox 3 hours and 15 minutes including one intermission 

28.12.2021 – The première performance is in honor of Lizika, Ami & Teddy Sagy

Act I

Scene i 

 The Larins’ Home

Lensky, a neighbor of the Larins and Olga’s bridegroom, unexpectedly brings his friend Yevgeni Onegin, recently arrived from the capital, to visit them. The unknown guest causes a kerfuffle in the daily routine of the Larin household: no one hides their interest in him. Onegin doubts in the wisdom of his friend’s choice. The meeting with Onegin makes a deep impression on Tatiana.

Scene ii

Night Time

Noticing Tatiana’s agitation, her nurse tries to distract her and calms her down. Left alone, Tatiana writes a letter to Onegin. She sees him as her chosen one. At dawn, Tatiana asks her nurse to deliver the letter to Onegin.

Scene iii - Day time

Tatiana anxiously awaits an answer to her declaration of love. Onegin arrives. He is touched by Tatiana’s sincerity, but cannot reciprocate her feelings.

Act II

Scene iv

Tatiana’s Name Day

Lensky has persuaded Onegin to pay another visit to the Larins. But Onegin is irritated by everything. Deciding to punish Lensky for bringing him, he flirts with Olga. Olga’s prompt response to Onegin’s advances reduces Lensky to despair. He picks a quarrel with Onegin and challenges him to a duel.

Scene v

Morning

nsky awaits Onegin. He thinks with pain and anguish about his life. Onegin, who arrives late, is reluctant to take the conflict to its conclusion. Both men feel privately that they have acted rashly. But it is too late, there is no going back. A shot is fired, Lensky is fatally wounded.

Act III

Scene vi 

Several years later

After a long absence, Onegin has returned to life in the capital and meets Tatiana. She is married and social life in the capital now revolves round her. He is shocked by the change in people’s attitudes to him. The transformation in Tatiana and the fact she is now out of reach arouse mad passion in Onegin.

Scene vii

Onegin manages to obtain a meeting with Tatiana. His words ring with repentance and regret. Demanding that his passion be reciprocated, he extorts from Tatiana the admission she still loves him. But her decision to stay with her husband is final. Onegin is distraught.

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events. 

Towards Opening
On Saturday morning before the premiere, the creators of the production and several of the soloists gather to discuss the opera, the production, their own career and today’s opera world. This is a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible about the production and meet the director, conductor, designers and some of the participating soloists. Musical excerpts from the opera illustrate the discussion. Towards Opening takes place before some of each season’s productions.

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders. 

Pre Performance Back Stage Tours
What happens backstage before the audience even thinks of getting dressed for the performance? What do the singers do? The conductor? The Technical teams? How does everyone prepare for the performance? A unique opportunity to taste a little bit of the back stage excitement before the curtain ascends/ A concerted half hour tour in places that are not usually open to the general public. Tours begin 90 minute before the performance begins and last 30 minutes. Tickets are 25NIS and can be booked in advance (tickets for each tour are limited). Tours take place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website. Tours from groups both in Hebrew and in English can be booked in advance (sarah@israelopera.org.il )

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.