Synopsis for Eugene Onegin

ACT I

Scene 1—Madame Larina and the old nurse Filipyevna are making fruit preserves. Inside the house, the Larin daughters, Tatyana and Olga, are singing a ballad. Peasants arrive with a decorated sheaf, and their singing of a folk tune sends Tatyana’s thoughts far away, but Olga asserts it merely makes her want to dance. Tatyana continues reading a romantic novel, and when her mother gently exhorts her to remember there are no heroes in real life, she attributes her sad looks to the events of the story. Olga’s fiancé, Lensky, arrives with Onegin, a friend from St. Petersburg. Onegin is surprised that Lensky should have chosen the superficial Olga for a wife and turns his attention to the more enigmatic Tatyana. Tatyana, for her part, sees Onegin as the man of her dreams. Onegin is condescending about country life, but has deeply impressed Tatyana, as her old nurse observes.

Scene 2—Filipyevna is helping her young mistress prepare for bed. The restless Tatyana begs for stories of Filipyevna’s youth, but then confesses that she has fallen in love. When the nurse leaves, Tatyana pours out her feelings in a passionate letter to Onegin, declaring eternal love for him. Dawn is breaking as Tatyana finishes her letter, and Filipyevna is startled to find her awake and dressed. Tatyana gives her the letter to deliver to Onegin.

Scene 3—Peasants sing as they work in the Larin’s garden. Tatyana enters in some confusion at the prospect of a visit by Onegin. When he arrives, he acknowledges receiving her letter and explains kindly but rather patronizingly that he was touched by it and admired its candor. But he adds that he has no intention of marrying, could not conceivably be her lover, and can offer no more than brotherly affection.

ACT II

Scene 1—At Tatyana’s birthday ball, Onegin dances with her but is bored, and then, hearing the guests’ gossip about his relationship to Tatyana, dances with Olga in order to provoke Lensky. Lensky, feels betrayed by what he regards as Onegin’s flirtation with Olga. When Onegin laughingly and off-handedly persists in dancing again with Olga, Lensky’s jealousy flares and soon the men are quarreling in earnest. Lensky challenges Onegin to a duel, and Onegin realizes that he has gone too far.

Scene 2—Lensky gloomily awaits his opponent and broods over the love he feels for Olga. Onegin arrives. Both regret their quarrel, but the conventions of the duel bind them to their commitment. Lensky is killed.

ACT III

Scene 1—Onegin, just back from lengthy travels abroad, arrives at a magnificent ball in St. Petersburg, but is bored, unhappy, and remorseful. The death of Lensky lies heavy on his heart. The glittering ball seems to symbolize the emptiness and aimlessness of his life. Prince Gremin, a retired general, arrives with his wife, and Onegin, with shock and bewilderment, recognizes the Princess Gremina as Tatyana; transformed, matured, a vision of dignity and grace. The Prince, who in fact is related to Onegin, tells him he married Tatyana two years ago and that his life has been transformed and redeemed by the love of this beautiful woman. When introduced, Tatyana and Onegin are formal with each other. Onegin is distressed to realize he has fallen inopportunely but deeply in love with her.

Scene 2—Tatyana, profoundly unsettled by Onegin’s passionate love letter to her is awaiting him. Onegin arrives and falls at her feet. She reminds him that he once rejected her, and tells him that because of her marriage, and despite a love for him, she will not yield to him now. It is her clear duty to leave him immediately and forever. Onegin is left alone in misery and despair.