Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin(aka Evgeniy Onegin) is one of my personal favourite works of his, and I love Tchaikovsky and opera. With its compelling story and characters and sublime music-I can't help welling up during the arias of Lensky and Gremin-for me Eugene Onegin is an operatic masterpiece.
This is a wonderful production with fine singing from some of my favourites. It is also visually opulent, with lavish sets and gorgeous costumes. Staging-wise it is also impressive, my favourite being how understated and touching Gremin's aria was. The video directing also helps, as it is very skillful and compliments the singing and staging very nicely.
Kirk Browning's direction is as good as can be, and the performances are exceptional. As Tatiana, my favourite soprano Mirella Freni is wonderful, she is very musical and expressive with a stunning voice and touches me with both her allure and acting. Wolfgang Brendal is a commanding Onegin, and Peter Dvorsky is a touching Lensky. For me though, while there was not a weak link in either the acting or singing, my personal favourite was Nicolai Ghiaurov, whose rich velvety vocal sound, elegant legato and expressive control and musicality, not to mention a very strong acting ability, makes him my personal favourite Gremin.
Overall, just wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox
