Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Canadian Opera Company opens its 2018/2019 season with a stunning new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless cautionary tale, Eugene Onegin. The opera is based on the classic Russian novel-in-verse by Alexander Pushkin and tells the story of one of literature’s most iconic anti-heroes. Onegin is the cynical product of an aimless dilettante life who quickly dismisses a heartfelt love letter from romantic Tatyana. However his casual cruelty comes back to haunt him years later, when karma rears its head and a fateful reunion turns the tables on proud Onegin. Eugene Onegin runs for eight performances on September 30, October 4, 10, 18, 20, 26, 30, November 3, 2018.
Award-winning Canadian director Robert Carsen takes the helm of this “exhilaratingly unsentimental production” (Opera News). Using a strikingly spare set by renowned Canadian set designer Michael Levine, Carsen creates room for characters and their emotions to command focus; the clean backdrop is a perfect foil for the curated elements that remain: a palatial chair, a spray of autumn leaves, and meticulous details on Levine’s 19th-century costumes. Spirited dance sequences come to life, under the direction of choreographer Serge Bannathan. And bold, colourful lighting, originally conceived by Jean Kalman and revived by Christine Binder, intensifies the drama unfolding on stage.
The youth at the heart of Eugene Onegin are played by a fresh cast of emerging artists, many of whom have already appeared on some of the world’s leading opera stages. Bass-baritone Gordon Bintner, a recent graduate of the COC Ensemble Studio, makes his role debut as the titular Eugene Onegin; his performance in the COC’s The Elixir of Love drew acclaim for his “robust, well-projected, gorgeous vocalism” (Opera Canada). Bintner is joined by Joyce El-Khoury, a Canadian soprano that Opera News recently commended for her “lustrous” and “silken” voice, as Tatyana. Armenian mezzo-soprano Varduhi Abrahamyan brings her lush vocals to the role of Tatyana’s sister Olga; “larger-than-life” (The Independent) Canadian tenor and Ensemble Studio graduate Joseph Kaiser is Olga’s fiancé Lensky; and Moldovan bass Oleg Tsibulko lends his “melliflouous” (The Telegraph) sound to the role of Prince Gremin, Tatyana’s devoted husband.
Tchaikovsky’s score is noted for its emotional sincerity and simplicity, a radical departure from grand operatic conventions of the time. COC Music Director Johannes Debus conducts the COC Orchestra and Price Family Chorus Master Sandra Horst leads the COC Chorus.
Onegin is sung in Russian and presented by the COC with English SURTITLES™. Originally created for the Metropolitan Opera in 1997, this will be the first time the COC will be performing this production.
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Eugene Onegin
Gordon Bintner
Tatyana
Joyce El-Khoury
Olga
Varduhi Abrahamyan
Lensky
Joseph Kaiser
Prince Gremin
Oleg Tsibulko
Madame Larina
Helene Schneiderman
Monsieur Triquet
Christoph Mortagne
Filipyevna
Margaret Lattimore
Captain
Samuel Chan
Zaretsky
Joel Allison
Conductor
Johannes Debus
Original Director
Robert Carsen
Associate Director
Peter McClintock
Set and Costume Designer
Michael Levine
Associate Set and Costume Designer
Victoria Wallace
Original Lighting Designer
Jean Kalman
Revival Lighting Designer
Christine Binder
Choreographer
Serge Bennathan
Price Family Chorus Master
Sandra Horst
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for Eugene Onegin range from $35 – $250 with Grand Ring seats available at $290 and $350. Tickets are on sale August 27, available online at coc.ca, by calling 416-363-8231, or in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office (145 Queen St. W.). For more information on specially priced tickets available to young people under the age of 15, standing room, Opera Under 30 presented by TD Bank Group, student groups and rush seating, visit coc.ca.
Photo: Scene from Eugene Onegin. ©2017 Lyric Opera of Chicago.
2018-08-20
Toronto: The COC presents Robert Carsen's production of "Eugene Onegin" September 30-November 3