Eugene Onegin

From the moment the curtains open on Mia Stensgaard’s deliciously romantic set, to the first notes of Tchaikovsky’s exquisitely lyrical score; you know that Eugene Onegin will be something special – bittersweet but totally satisfying: and indeed it is.

As Artistic Director of London’s Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Kaspar Holten has given himself space to explore as Director. His storytelling is crystal clear and he gives new subtext and subtlety to Pushkin’s classic verse novel about a young girl, Tatyana, (Nicole Car) who innocently declares her love to a man of the world, Eugene Onegin (Paulo Szot) only to be rejected and lectured by him. Years later, when he returns and realises he loves her, it is too late for both of them. It’s a poignant story of lost opportunities and unfulfilled love, and it needs to be filled with passion rather than languishing in bathos. Holten does that, and more; exploring the characters and action on three levels….inside, outside and inner. He brilliantly portrays the younger Tatyana and Eugene with two superb dancers/actors, Emily Ranford and Sam Colbey, allowing the older Tatyana and Eugene to “see” their inner child through remembering the past. In particular, the two Tatyanas have such a rapport, with the older nurturing her inner child, that they do seem as one. However, for those not familiar with the opera, it is not until the Ball scene in the third act that one realises that all that went before is flashback. It’s a superb blend of strength and fragility, great direction on all levels.

Nicole Car is exquisite as Tatyana. Not only is the voice very special, with a brilliance and clarity that never fails, and especially bright in her top register at full power, but she also brings great acting skills to the role. She was mesmerising in The Letter scene right from the mellifluous first notes of “Are you my Angel or my Tempter?” which rang with passion and emotion, and for that twelve minutes we totally believed she and Emily Ranford were two parts of the one person. Her standing ovation was richly deserved and there was an electrifying sensation that we were seeing the next great Diva taking her first steps to true greatness. Paulo Szot has a rich baritone voice which is a match for Car, but he seemed rather too stolid in the first act to inspire such virgin passion. However, with far more to do in the second half of the opera, and a greater physical agility, we understood why he is a Tony Award winner for best actor in South Pacific. While the voice was good, the acting was superb, and though the voice suffered a little through the emotional depth of the acting, it was a more than fair exchange.

James Egglestong brings his charm and light lyrical tenor to the role of Lensky the poet, though it was a little thin and shaky in the top register on opening night. Sian Pendry’s beautiful mezzo is in full flight as the wilful Olga, Tatyana’s younger sister, and Jacqui Dark (a marvellous comic nurse) and Domenica Matthews (Madame Larina) remind us again how lucky we are to have such voices in Opera Australia. The comic charisma of Kanen Breen was captivating in the cameo role of M’Sieur Triquet and Adrian Tamburini is impressive as Zaretsky. But just when you think the singing really couldn’t get better, the astonishing bass of Daniel Sumegi, so rich and powerful in its lowest register, seals the stamp of excellence. The chorus showed yet again why it is so highly regarded on the world stage, and brilliant French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire proved himself a star in his own right. With beautiful costumes designed by Katrina Lindsay, and a marvellous lighting design Wolfgang Goebbel (complementing Leo Warner’s effective video design) Eugene Onegin is an absolute triumph. Forget Carmen….you’ve probably seen it a dozen times. Instead see this rarely performed but beautiful offering with timeless music, from a company that just gets better with time.

Coral Drouyn

Images: Nicole Car as Tatyana and Sian Pendry as Olga;Sam Colbey as Young Onegin, Emily Ranford as Young Tatyana and Nicole Car as Tatyana; and Nicole Car as Tatyana and Paulo Szot as Onegin. Photographer: Jeff Busby.