The Mikhailovsky Theatre, a historic gem in the heart of Saint Petersburg since 1833, has long been a home to artists trained in the city’s renowned conservatories, many of whom have also graced the Mariinsky stage. This season, the theatre presents Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky’s masterful opera of love, regret, and social intrigue. With soaring arias, rich orchestration, and emotionally charged duets, the production brings Pushkin’s timeless characters vividly to life, offering audiences an intimate yet grand experience of Russian operatic genius.
Libretto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky after the novel in verse by Alexander Pushkin
“Eugene Onegin” has returned to the Mikhailovsky Theatre, with the famous “lyrical scenes” taken on by Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato. Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” marks his second opera production. The elegant imagery and refined neoclassical style characteristic of all the master’s works serve to highlight the beauty of the great music and the depth of its characters.
Working alongside Nacho Duato on this production were his longtime collaborators: set designer Jaffar Chalabi and costume designer Angelina Atlagić, who approached the rendition of Pushkin’s story with a delicate touch. Musical director of the production — Alexander Soloviev.
Critics note that while the production meticulously follows the libretto, Nacho Duato’s directorial decisions — a constant reminder that this is staged by a world-renowned choreographer — offer pleasant surprises for the audience.