“Mariusz Kwiecien was convincingly youthful and compact as Onegin…in the final scene, Anna Netrebko was outstanding, at once impassioned and regal, every inch the princess that Tatiana has become.” Washington Post

“Mr. Beczala’s muscular, youthful tenor voice is ideal for Lenski… Mr. Kwiecien’s singing is volatile and exciting…Mr. Gergiev knows the Tchaikovsky style like few other conductors.” New York Times

Of the many endearing, dramatic and timeless works of composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, his opera “Eugen Onegin,” is renowned as the most sumptuous and sensual.

Simulcasted live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to the D’Angelo Performing Arts Center of Mercyhurst, the combined performances of Anna Netrebko and Mariusz Kwiecien (world-famous soprano and baritone respectively) was awe-inspiring to opera-goers and fans of the arts alike.

Set in late 19th century St. Petersburg, “Eugene Onegin” depicts the fateful romance between the innocent and shy country-raised Tatyana (Netrebko) and the worldly yet complacent wanderer, Onegin (Kwiecien).

Upon first meeting him, Tatyana falls head over heels for Onegin who, although he strongly adores her rejects her for fear of a boring marriage in which he’d be forced to settle down. He leaves Tatyana alone and heartbroken.

That January, at Tatyana’s name day celebration, Onegin grows frustrated with not only the guests who insist on gossiping about him, but his good friend Lensky as well for bringing him along.

He chooses to dance with Tatyana’s sister, Olga, who happens to be Lensky’s fiancée. This eventually escalates into a duel between the former friends, resulting in Onegin killing Lensky.

Many years and adventures across Europe later, Onegin finds himself alone at a ball in St. Petersburg, wallowing over his lonely and empty life.

Then, by chance, he sees Tatyana, now a high-society, aristocratic beauty married to Prince Gremin.

Onegin makes a desperate attempt at persuading Tatyana to run away with him, pleading to her that he is madly and irrevocably in love with her. Although she admits to having loved him all this time, Tatyana chooses to stay faithful to her husband and leaves Onegin as he had done to her: alone and heartbroken.

Conducted by Russian Maestro Valery Gergiev and under the direction of Fiona Shaw and Deborah Warner, “Eugene Onegin” is currently running in New York City as a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera and the English National Opera.

The production is a gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Nicholas F. Taubman.