Eugene Onegin: Act III Finale - Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom D
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Eugene Onegin is a Russian opera in three acts by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, one of the most prominent Russian composers of the late Romantic period of the 19th century. The storyline for the opera is based on the novel of the same title by Alexander Pushkin, about the complicated relationship between the title character and Tatyana, the object of his uncertain affection. The third act Finale portrays the complex emotions of first love and the necessity of duty as Onegin tries to rekindle the affections of the now-married Tatyana. Tatyana herself is torn between giving in to the man she has always loved and remaining faithful to her husband, thus preventing a scandal. In her last attempt to prove her resolve, Tatyana rejects Onegin’s pleas of love and sends him away forever, leaving him alone in his despair. This opera contains expressive and engaging melodies that, while often repetitive, give the true impression of dialogue to the characters, in addition to lush orchestration that has a distinctive Russian flavor - both hallmarks of Tchaikovsky’s training and compositional style. Though not very popular outside of Russia at the time of the premier, Eugene Onegin has today become acknowledged as a prime example of Russian lyric opera composition, as well as evidence of Tchaikovsky’s talents in opera among the many genres of music composition. Preparation for this scene has required extensive Russian language training in addition to the already-rigorous demands of learning Tchaikovsky’s music and preparing dramatic and engaging staging.
Recommended Citation
Hansen, Andrea, "Eugene Onegin: Act III Finale - Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 6.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/creativeexpression/6
Additional Mentoring Department
Music
Eugene Onegin: Act III Finale - Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
SURC Ballroom D
Eugene Onegin is a Russian opera in three acts by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, one of the most prominent Russian composers of the late Romantic period of the 19th century. The storyline for the opera is based on the novel of the same title by Alexander Pushkin, about the complicated relationship between the title character and Tatyana, the object of his uncertain affection. The third act Finale portrays the complex emotions of first love and the necessity of duty as Onegin tries to rekindle the affections of the now-married Tatyana. Tatyana herself is torn between giving in to the man she has always loved and remaining faithful to her husband, thus preventing a scandal. In her last attempt to prove her resolve, Tatyana rejects Onegin’s pleas of love and sends him away forever, leaving him alone in his despair. This opera contains expressive and engaging melodies that, while often repetitive, give the true impression of dialogue to the characters, in addition to lush orchestration that has a distinctive Russian flavor - both hallmarks of Tchaikovsky’s training and compositional style. Though not very popular outside of Russia at the time of the premier, Eugene Onegin has today become acknowledged as a prime example of Russian lyric opera composition, as well as evidence of Tchaikovsky’s talents in opera among the many genres of music composition. Preparation for this scene has required extensive Russian language training in addition to the already-rigorous demands of learning Tchaikovsky’s music and preparing dramatic and engaging staging.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Gayla Blaisdell, Maria Roditeleva-Wibe