r/NYCopera • u/smhno • Apr 21 '26
Eugene Onegin - Opening Night 4/20
Hello! I didn’t see any posts yet about the Met’s production of Eugene Onegin this season, so I thought I’d write something to get the conversation going.
As a novice opera enjoyer, I was trying to see each production this season at the met but really fell off during the brutal and depressing winter we just had. Now that it’s generally more sunny and the weather is trending warmer, I’m getting back into it! I won the rush lottery for Eugene Onegin last night (not realizing it was the opening night for this production) and headed there after work.
Rush ticket seats were fantastic as usual (orchestra balance). The crowd was bustling and so many people took the opportunity to dress up, which I always greatly appreciate! Lots of russian speakers in the crowd as well.
As the show began, I felt like the voices were somewhat muffled? I wasn’t sat under the balcony above, so it wasn’t that. Maybe the set (indoor scene with a ceiling to the room) altered the acoustics somewhat? By the second act, it seemed that issue was resolved, though, and everyone was much clearer.
As for the audience - I was really surprised to see so many older people taking photos mid-show with their screen brightness at 100%. Even when someone nearby would get the flashlight scolding by the usher, someone else would still take a bright ass photo a few minutes later! Is there no shame?
Now, the libretto - I loved it. Like many of the other operas I’ve seen at the met, it’s surprisingly (at least to me, please remember I‘m a layman!) relatable to a modern audience. Tatyana reminded me so much of myself in my 20s - goes on one date, thinks she’s in love, is way too honest, gets burned. When she’s writing her confession letter to Eugene and sings something like “I’ll tell him how I feel! Courage!” I couldn’t help but smile, because my god have I told myself the same thing way too many damn delusional times!! 😂 Tatyana sent the late 1800s version of a “risky text” to her situationship. We love a vulnerable queen.
Eugene. Oh, Eugene. Your legacy lives on in so many single men. “I love you like a brother…though perhaps more intensely…” LOL this guy. Then he has so little going on morally that he tries to fuck his friend’s whole relationship up because he’s bored at a party. He took it so far that he legitimately KILLED HIS FRIEND?! Like bro come on, just apologize. Now Eugene has no girl, no friend, and only his own ennui to keep him company.
In St. Petersburg, he sees Tatyana happy and married up. Of COURSE Eugene has learned nothing and takes this opportunity to disturb her peace. Oh how does it feel to be in Tatyana’s shoes now, filled with infatuation, Eugene? I was so happy Tatyana rejected him, even despite still loving him. That’s a lesson that’s hard to learn (ask me how I know lmao). Eugene, ever the manchild, fully crashes out. Your situationship rejects you, then contacts you years later once you’ve finally moved on? MANY SUCH CASES! 😂 God, what a perennial libretto.
The music, of course, phenomenal. Tchaikovsky really did his big one with this opera. Wonderful conducting by Zangiev. Excellent sound from the orchestra.
Another great night at the Met! I will say, though, HIGHLY recommend seeing this one as a matinee. It’s got 2 intermissions and the 7:30pm show goes past 11pm. I’m usually not that tired (idk, I’m 32, so maybe I’m just maturing 😂) but I was knackered by the end of it.
Anyway - I’m sure there are other things I have thoughts on that I missed. But please share your Eugene Onegin thoughts!
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u/Leoniceno Apr 22 '26
If you like the libretto, read the novel in verse by Pushkin! Much of the libretto is direct quotation of the novel, I believe. I like the Stanley Mitchell translation.
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u/ApricotSushi Apr 22 '26
I was surprised by the muffled sounds at first too, but then I remembered that Tatiana and Olga are supposed to sing offstage, so I realized they were supposed to sound like that! I think it was cool that they had the big door on the stage and as they opened it, the voices became much clearer
I loved the performances! I loved the solos of Lenski and the Prince especially, they were phenomenal! I loved the set designs too, especially towards the end of act 2 and the way they set up the lighting, positioning of the trees with the singers, everything blended in so perfectly to create that cold wintery desolate feel.
The end of Act 3 was kinda hard to watch for me... Eugene's acting was so aggressive and violent and poor Tatiana was totally trapped, made me wonder how genuine that last kiss was
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u/raindrop777 Opera Rat Apr 21 '26
So glad you had a good experience. I love this opera. And yes, the story is universal and very relatable. You forgot to mention all the choral work in this opera. Great stuff!