Eugene Onegin: Part 2

The second half of Garsington Opera's 2016 production of Tchaikovsky's fateful romance.

ACT TWO
Scene Two: A lonely spot, early morning, three days later
Zaretsky, Lensky’s second in the duel, complains that their opponent is late. Lensky meditates on his love for Olga and the prospect of death. Onegin arrives and, although both he and Lensky are full of remorse and regret, they are unable to reach a reconciliation to avoid the duel. Lensky is killed.

ACT THREE
Scene One: A ballroom in St Petersburg, six years later
Onegin has been travelling abroad since the duel. On his return to St Petersburg he attends a grand ball and encounters Prince Gremin, who introduces his young wife, Tatyana. Onegin falls hopelessly in love with her.

Scene Two: A room in Prince Gremin’s place, some time later
Tatyana reads a love letter from Onegin, which has stirred up the memories of everything that has gone before. When Onegin implores her to respond to his passion Tatyana admits that she still loves him. But it is too late: she is now married and must honour the promises she has made to her husband. Onegin despairs.