Tchaikovsky’s lyric opera Eugene Onegin is based on Alexander Pushkin’s novel in verse – a masterpiece of Russian literature. The narrative tells the story of Onegin’s remorse in rejecting the young Tatyana and his instigation of a fatal duel in which his friend Lensky dies. The opera is constructed in what Tchaikovsky termed ‘lyrical scenes’, with music that articulates the feelings of the characters with great sensitivity and subtlety. With a minimalist set design, director Laurent Pelly’s staging underlines the lightness and sadness of the subject while fully expressing the characters’ fantasies and inner torments. After his forays into the Russian repertoire, Alain Altinoglu conducts La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with a cast of outstanding singers.

French baritone Stéphane Degout’s voice has been hailed as ‘breathtaking in dramatic intensity’ (Forum Opéra), with ‘quicksilver agility and virile heft’ (Chicago Classical Review). Degout was also chosen as the 2018 Musical Personality of the Year by the Association Professionnelle de la Critique de Théâtre, Musique et Danse, and awarded ‘Male Singer of the Year’ at the 2022 International Opera Awards.

He also sings on Lakmé for Naxos (2110765/NBD0177V) and Ambroise Thomas’s Hamlet on 2110640/NBD0103V: ‘[Degout] gives one of his greatest performances here, marvellously sung and acted, with every gesture, vocal and physical, affording us insight into Hamlet’s disturbed psyche: it’s an extraordinary achievement’, wrote Gramophone.

Sally Matthews is recognised as one of the foremost lyric sopranos of her generation, and in the 2024/25 Season, will make her debut at the Staatsoper Hamburg as Tatjana in Eugene Onegin. ‘The soprano Sally Matthews brings a radiant voice and natural allure’, wrote the New York Times.

‘Supple, lyrical and heroic, a romantic lead buoyant onstage’, wrote the LA Times of conductor Alain Altinoglu.

The stage director for this production is Laurent Pelly – one of the most sought-after directors of his generation.