Eugene Onegin

 

Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin opera to libretto by the composer and K. Shilovsky based on the verse novel by Alexander Pushkin. Directed 2013 by Kapser Holten at the Royal Opera House. Stars Simon Keenlyside (Eugene Onegin), Krassimira Stoyanova (Tatyana), Thom Rackett (Young Onegin), Vigdis Hentze Olsen (Young Tatyana), Pavol Breslik (Lensky), Elena Maximova (Olga), Diana Montague (Madame Larina), Kathleen Wilkinson (Filipyevna), Peter Rose (Prince Gremin), Christophe Mortagne (Monsieur Triquet), Jihoon Kim (Zaretsky), Michel de Souza (A Captain), Elliott Goldie (A Peasant Singer), and Luke Price (Guillot). Robin Ticciati conducts the Orchestra of the Royal House (Concert Master Vasko Vassilev) and the Royal Opera Chorus (Chorus Master Renato Balsadonna). Sets by Mia Stensgaard; costumes by Katrina Lindsay; lighting by Wolfgang Göbbel; video designs by Leo Warner (59 Productions); animations by Lawrence Watson (59 Productions); choreography by Signe Fabricius. Directed for the screen by Jonathan Haswell. Sung in Russian. Released 2013, disc has 5.0 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA

Mike Ashman praises Holten's direction with flashbacks and dancers doubling singers, etc. in the December 2013 Gramophone (page 102). Ashman also likes the singers and the orchestra as conducted by Ticciati, and he arrives at the following conclusion: "Hugely recommended."

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