Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, its libretto by Tchaikovsky himself and Shilovsky, based on Push kin, had its first student performance at the Maliy Theatre in Moscow in 1879, followed by staging at the Bolshoy two years later. The composition came at the time of Tchaikovsky's brief and disastrous marriage, completed in Switzerland, where he took refuge in its aftermath.

In the garden of the Larin country estate the daughters of the house, Olga and Tatyana, are greeted by Lensky and his friend Onegin. Tatyana, attracted to him, walks off with Onegin, while Lensky sings of his love for Olga (Ya lyublyu vas, Ol'ga). Alone in her bedroom that night Tatyana writes a letter to Onegin, telling him that she loves him. In the morning she asks her nurse to see if Onegin received the letter. She waits in the garden for his reply, but when he comes he tells her that he can only feel brotherly love for her, an answer that leaves her silent.

In a brightly lit room in the Larin's house Tatyana's name-day is being celebrated. There is a waltz, and Onegin, in boredom, dances with Olga, provoking Lensky's jealousy and challenge to a duel. In the winter dawn Lensky waits for Onegin, who is late. His second goes in search of Onegin and Lensky sings his farewell to Olga (Kuda, kuda vi udalilis?). Insultingly Onegin appears with his valet as his second and in the duel kills Lensky, an outcome that brings immediate remorse.

Years later Onegin returns from self-imposed exile and sees Tatyana again, now married to his old friend Prince Gremin. There is a ball, at which a Polonaise and an Ecossaise are played for the dancers, The Prince tells Onegin of his great love for Tatyana, and now Onegin realizes that he too is in love with her. Later he confronts her, forcing her to admit her love for him, She refuses, however, to desert her husband and rushes from the room, leaving Onegin in solitary desolation.

Writer: Keith Anderson