Kaspar Holten’s cerebral yet impassioned Covent Garden staging of Tchaikovsky’s classic cleverly uses the protagonists’ younger selves to remind them of the road not taken. Australian soprano Lauren Fagan, who has been earning rave notices internationally, makes a welcome return as Tatyana, the young woman whose emotions are awakened by the careless attentions of the worldly and fatally aloof Onegin. He’s sung here by Ukrainian baritone Andrei Bondarenko, with Nicholas Jones as his best friend Lensky, Sian Sharp as Tatyana’s friend Olga, and David Parkin as the elderly Count Gremin. Moscow-born, German conductor Anna Skryleva makes her OA debut. (Read our interview with Lauren Fagan on page 46.)

Limelight Editor’s Choice

In restless youth, adolescent gloom, she was waiting… but for whom?
Tatyana is a dreamer, lost in romantic stories. When the dashing Eugene Onegin walks into her world, she feels her own love story beginning. But Onegin rejects her passion.

Eugene Onegin is the journey from what could be to what might have been. Between lies tragedy. Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous opera is a study in reminiscence and regret.

Kasper Holten’s “hyper-intelligent, deeply moving production” (Limelight) brings memory to the fore. Through flashback, Tatyana and Onegin watch their younger selves make choices that will haunt their lives. As memories pile up on stage, the effect is devastating.

Lauren Fagan makes a triumphant return to our stage, following her unforgettable performance as Suor Angelica in Il Trittico. She’s joined by Ukrainian baritone Andrei Bondarenko as Onegin and rising Australian star Nicholas Jones as Lensky.

German conductor Anna Skryleva makes an exciting Opera Australia debut conducting one of Tchaikovsky’s most celebrated works. The Romantic score adds layers of emotion to Pushkin’s tale of unrequited love.