Herald Young Critics

Eugene Onegin

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Rachel Lewis

five stars

TCHAIKOVSKY’S Eugene Onegin is a lyrical opera based on a poem by Alexander Pushkin. Performed by Komische Oper Berlin and directed by Barrie Kosky it is a beautiful portrayal of the story of Eugene Onegin, a selfish hero who lives to regret past actions, namely the killing of his best friend, Lensky, and his ruthless rejection of a young women’s love.

It’s almost a full house and there is an air of expectancy in the theatre as the orchestra warms up, a reminder that this is high art, the ‘real’ thing. Then the curtain rises and hush falls as brightly lit rural a setting is revealed.

The image is ironic for there is some brilliant comedy from the incomparable Margarita Nekrasova, whose performance as the worldly-wise nanny, Filipyevna, acts as a foil to the intensely love stricken Tatyana. Arguably, these two are the real stars of the piece, though Oleksiy Palchykov’s singing of Lensky’s moving aria gives both a run for their money. 

Best of all, was Tatyana’s heart-breaking aria, performed beautifully by Asmik Grigorian and telling of her longing for Onegin. It was deeply moving performance and stood in a class of its own. Her voice cut straight to the heart as did her transition from the insecure and love-stuck girl, to confident and self-assured woman who in the end rejected Onegin’s love and instead remained loyal to her husband.

Hers was an emotional journey for cast and audience alike.

*Rachel Lewis is a pupil at Tynecastle High School and this review was submitted as part of The Herald Young Critics project with the Edinburgh International Festival.

More reviews from the Tynecastle HS students below:

Opera

Eugene Onegin

Festival Theatre

Maya Watson

five stars

FROM my seat in the top tier, I had a birds-eye view of the theatre. I could hear the orchestra warming up and the audience were chatting excitedly. It was clear to see: everyone in the audience was completely and utterly captivated.

Upon entering the theatre, just before the show began, there was an air of excitement and anticipation for the act that was about to be shown. As the evening progressed, the production delved deeper into a broken love story, between the young and dreamy Tatyana (played by Asmik Grigorian) and the charming yet obnoxious Eugene Onegin (performed by Gunter Papendell).  

As the first opera I have ever been to, I would highly recommend to anyone that they go and see Eugene Onegin. Initially, I was very conflicted in my opinions about orchestral music and the opera itself, but as the night went on I became encapsulated by its beauty. Sitting, closely packed into a large audience, songs echoing around the theatre, I knew that the performance would be one to remember.

From the stunning red velvet gowns to the stage sets, everything about Eugene Onegin was captivating. Despite the performance being sung in Russian, with screens at either side of the stage helping to translate, the strength of the characters emotions could still be felt, due to the incredible voices and careful choreography.

 

Opera

Eugene Onegin

Festival Theatre

Chloe Clarke

four stars

THE atmosphere in the theatre was electrifying as the curtain drew back and the orchestra began to play. I remember thinking, this is classical music and it’s live!

The stage sets were simple but striking, a forest deep in the heart of Russia on the summer’s day. Two older women dressed in black are preparing for a picnic. They are playful and the chorus keeps the mood alive, magnificently. The music and their voices were uplifting

Amid all the merrymaking, is Tatyana, brilliantly played by the wonderful, Asnik Grigorian. Her chair is set apart, which helps to shown that she is a vulnerable young soul, bookish and naïve, a dreamy girl who falls head-over heals for Onegin, played by Gunter Papendell.

Both performances are strong, but in truth, as the performance progressed we watch, mesmerised as Tatyana blossoms from a young female who had her head stuck in the clouds to a sophisticated, confident woman. Tatyana’s heartfelt aria was the stand out moment of the whole performance as she confessed her feelings for Onegin, exposing her vulnerable side. Shockingly, he shot her down, but over time she becomes confident of who she.

The most moving moment was near the end of the opera, when the rain pours down, and the two lovers are finally reunited only to go their separate ways, and it will forever be etched in my mind, both the emotion and the music.

This was a powerfully performance.     

 

Opera

Eugene Onegin

Festival theatre

Reece Mack

five stars

AN ordinary sixteen-year old boy has been transported to an extraordinary world, compliments of the Komische Oper Berlin and their outstanding performance of Barrie Kosky’s production of Eugen Onegin.

The atmosphere in the theatre was something else. As soon as the curtain rose and the overture started, audience was captivated by the joyful summer’s day. There was warmth and humour too. 

Tatyana is a dreamy young girl who falls for the handsome Onegin. The artist who played Tatyana, Asmik Grigorian, was breath taking. She represented the character so well, from being a love-struck young girl to a strong and powerful woman. Her voice was full of emotion and she made the audience cry.

The costumes were sumptuous, from the pastel shades of the richer people in country society, to the sophisticated costumes of the aristocrats in St Petersburg. It helped to take the audience to a different world, the world of the elite in Russia. The most memorable is Tatyana’s striking blood-red dress, which portrays a very passionate and mature woman who is self-assured and in control of herself, a million miles away from who she was when she first met Onegin and fell under his spell.

Other performances that stood out, like Gunter Papendell’s ambiguous Onegin. Not sympathetic at first but pitiful when realises that he has been a fool.

My message to all my peers is this. Go and try some opera!  You will not be disappointed.

 

 

Opera

Eugene Onegin

Festival Theatre

Jasmine Graham

five stars

AS the curtain rose and the orchestra began to play, the atmosphere in the room was alive with expectation. We were not to be disappointed. Barrie Kosky’s production of Eugene Onegin, a story of thwarted love, was brilliantly performed by the Konische Oper Berlin.

The chorus sung magnificently and created a real sense of celebration. This contrasted with the dreamy isolation of Tatyana, who for the most part sat aloof from the crowd, engrossed in her book, a symbol of her romantic nature. Asmik Grigorian’s performance of the lovestruck Tatyana, especially her aria in which she expresses her longing for Onegin, was heart-breaking.

Worth mentioning is Tatyana’s transformation from a naïve young girl with her head in the clouds to a sophisticated and wise woman loved and admired by her peers. This was aided by the sumptuous costumes, not least the beautiful red-velvet dress she wore when she was finally reunited with Onegin at a ball in St Petersburg.

As moving was Lensky’s aria about lost innocence, beautifully sung by Olaksiy-Palchykov. The performance was so full of emotion and lamentation for the past that some in the audience were moved to tears. As for Gunter Papendell’s arrogant and foolish Onegin, I found his portrayal of the tortured soul, regretful of his callous dismissal of the young Tatyana and the death of his best friend, lensky in a duel, convincing, if less moving than that of Tatyana.

An engrossing and moving performance.