San Francisco Opera presents Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin
West Coast Premiere of Robert Carsen's Acclaimed Production, Staged in Revival by Peter McClintock, Will Be Conducted by Vassilis Christopoulos in His American Debut
Cast Headed by Evgenia Muraveva, Gordon Bintner, Evan LeRoy Johnson, Aigul Akhmetshina in Company Debuts Along with Ferruccio Furlanetto
Tickets Available at sfopera.com and (415) 864-3330
Virtual Tickets for October 1 Livestream On Sale Now
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 25, 2022) — San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Season continues with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, September 25–October 14. The romantic work returns in director Robert Carsen’s acclaimed production, with conductor Vassilis Christopoulos making his American debut leading the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and a cast featuring several artists making Company debuts. Soprano Evgenia Muraveva portrays Tatyana, bass-baritone Gordon Bintner takes on the title role, Evan LeRoy Johnson is Lensky and Aigul Akhmetshina sings Olga. Chorus Director John Keene prepares the San Francisco Opera Chorus.
Inspired by Alexander Pushkin’s eponymous novel in verse and the tumultuous events in Tchaikovsky’s personal life, Eugene Onegin is a work of intense emotions and brilliant musical invention. The opera has remained a repertory favorite for more than 140 years after its Moscow premiere. The story centers around Tatyana, an impulsive young woman who is smitten with the handsome Onegin only to be rejected by him, sending them both on divergent paths.
Carsen’s staging, hailed as “exhilaratingly unsentimental” by Opera News, has become a classic. Featuring sets and costumes designed by Michael Levine, the production “remains beautiful to see, with its tall and bare walls, softly colored lighting, crucial scenes done in silhouette, and, in the first act, the entire stage floor covered with fallen autumn leaves” (New York Times). First unveiled at the Metropolitan Opera in 1997, the production has been revived by stage director Peter McClintock on many occasions at the Met and at other opera houses including, most recently, Canadian Opera Company. McClintock directs the production’s West Coast premiere, which also features the work of lighting designer Christine Binder and choreographer Serge Bennathan.
Since her standout appearances at the Salzburg Festival in 2017 and 2018, Evgenia Muraveva has appeared on the leading stages of Europe, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera and Tokyo’s New National Theatre. The soprano, who has been praised for her “mix of earthy colorings and vulnerability” (New York Times), portrays Tatyana in her first performances in America.
Bass-baritone Gordon Bintner makes his Company debut as Onegin, a role he recently performed in the Carsen production with Canadian Opera Company. The Toronto Star praised the developmental arc he brought to the role: “The dots were connected smoothly, the character evolving naturally. And Bintner’s rich voice made that journey compelling.” The 2012 Merola Opera Program participant is currently an ensemble member with Frankfurt Opera.
Evan LeRoy Johnson brings his “meltingly lovely lyric tenor” (Parterre) to the poet Lensky. Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina makes her first appearance on an American stage as Tatyana’s sister, Olga. Renowned bass Ferruccio Furlanetto, who made his San Francisco Opera debut in 1979 and returned most recently in the Company’s 2021 new production of Così fan tutte, is Prince Gremin. In her first appearance with the Company, Deborah Nansteel is Madame Larina and mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller, a standout in San Francisco Opera’s performances of Wagner’s Ring cycle, is Filipyevna. Brenton Ryan portrays the Frenchman, Triquet.
Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin entered San Francisco Opera’s repertory in 1971, the Company’s 49th season, under the baton of future Principal Guest Conductor Charles Mackerras with Evelyn Lear as Tatyana and Thomas Stewart in the title role. Artists who have performed the work in previous San Francisco Opera presentations also include Mirella Freni (1986) and Elena Prokina (1997, 2004) as Tatyana, Thomas Allen (1986) and Lucas Meachem (2004) as Onegin, and Polish tenor Piotr Beczala, in his American debut, as Lensky (2004).
San Francisco Opera shares articles, information and resources in support of the people and artists of Ukraine at sfopera.com/onegin and in our digital and print program books. The Company will continue to share updates resources and information about related events, please visit sfopera.com/onegin for ongoing updates.
The seven performances of Eugene Onegin are scheduled for September 25 (2 p.m.), 28 (7:30 p.m.); October 1 (7:30 p.m.), 6 (7:30 p.m.), 9 (2 p.m.); October 11 (7:30 p.m.), 14 (7:30 p.m.), 2022.
LIVESTREAM: October 1 Performance
The Saturday, October 1 performance will be livestreamed at 7:30 pm PT (not available in Canada). The performance will be available to watch on-demand for 48 hours beginning on Sunday, October 2 at 10 am PT. Virtual tickets for the livestream and limited on-demand viewing are $27.50. For more information about livestreams of San Francisco Opera’s 2022 Fall Season, visit sfopera.com/digital.