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OPD 7066 Tchaikovsky-Eugene Onegin: Russian-English Libretto
TCHAIKOVSKY: Eugene Onegin (complete opera) Newly translated libretto, program notes, and synopsis. Link to audio tracks.
Eugene Belov, Galina Vishnevskaya, Ivan Petrov, Sergei Lemeshev: vocal soloists
Chorus & Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow
Boris Khaikin: conductor
“This studio recording—a rare undertaking during this period in the Soviet era—represents one of the high points of the Eugene Onegin discography, not just for historical reasons but for the heat and conviction of its artistry. Eight months pregnant at the time, Vishnevskaya brings out all the believable passion and richness of character that made her Tatyana such a celebrated portrayal. ‘To me she embodied everything that was most beautiful and valuable in Russian women: a deeply passionate nature, tenderness, boldness, and a willingness to sacrifice herself,’ writes Vishnevskaya in her memoirs. She is joined by reigning fellow artists from the Bolshoi. Eugene Belov communicates the aloofness of Onegin, laced with a tinge even of self–hatred.” — Thomas May Includes a 56-page booklet with historic photos, a complete transliterated Russian libretto with a new original English translation, and an essay on the performance by Thomas May.
Ilustration © Rafal Olbinski,
Courtesy of Patinae Inc.
Eugene Belov, Galina Vishnevskaya, Ivan Petrov, Sergei Lemeshev: vocal soloists
Chorus & Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow
Boris Khaikin: conductor
“This studio recording—a rare undertaking during this period in the Soviet era—represents one of the high points of the Eugene Onegin discography, not just for historical reasons but for the heat and conviction of its artistry. Eight months pregnant at the time, Vishnevskaya brings out all the believable passion and richness of character that made her Tatyana such a celebrated portrayal. ‘To me she embodied everything that was most beautiful and valuable in Russian women: a deeply passionate nature, tenderness, boldness, and a willingness to sacrifice herself,’ writes Vishnevskaya in her memoirs. She is joined by reigning fellow artists from the Bolshoi. Eugene Belov communicates the aloofness of Onegin, laced with a tinge even of self–hatred.” — Thomas May Includes a 56-page booklet with historic photos, a complete transliterated Russian libretto with a new original English translation, and an essay on the performance by Thomas May.
Ilustration © Rafal Olbinski,
Courtesy of Patinae Inc.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1879
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1,879 books67 followersPyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Петр Ильич Чайковский) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. While not part of the nationalistic music group known as "The Five", Tchaikovsky wrote music which was distinctly Russian: plangent, introspective, with modally-inflected melody and harmony.
Tchaikovsky considered himself a professional composer. He felt his professionalism in combining skill and high standards in his musical works separated him from his colleagues in "The Five." He shared several of their ideals, including an emphasis on national character in music. His aim, however, was linking those ideals with a professional standard high enough to satisfy European criteria. His professionalism also fueled his desire to reach a broad public, not just nationally but internationally, which he would eventually do.
Tchaikovsky considered himself a professional composer. He felt his professionalism in combining skill and high standards in his musical works separated him from his colleagues in "The Five." He shared several of their ideals, including an emphasis on national character in music. His aim, however, was linking those ideals with a professional standard high enough to satisfy European criteria. His professionalism also fueled his desire to reach a broad public, not just nationally but internationally, which he would eventually do.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 22, 2022
"¿Eras tú quien hablaba conmigo en el silencio,
cuando ayudaba a los pobres,
o buscaba refugio en la oración
por el sufrimiento de mi alma?"
Cómo me encantan los libretos de óperas. Desde luego, la ópera está hecha para ser cantada y es por ello que el libreto puede ser repetitivo por momentos o tener diálogos cortos porque al fin y al cabo todo es cantado y la repetición de palabras o frases va muy bien con la música. Sin embargo, me es siempre un placer poder leer las óperas clásicas porque tienen frases muy buenas y creo que la intención de los compositores es deleitar al público con buenos parlamentos y por qué no decirlo tramas muy románticas y a veces trágicas.
"Mi vida entera ha sido una súplica
de un encuentro inevitable contigo;
lo sé: ¡me has sido enviado por Dios,
eres mi custodio hasta la tumba!"
Debo decir que habiendo leído el poema "Euguenio Oneguin" de Pushkin que dio origen a esta ópera, prefiero el libreto de la ópera de Tchaikovzxky. Sobre todo porque como digo las pasiones y situaciones están condensadas en un corto tiempo para poder dar un gran impacto al público. Así, en la de Pushkin puedo encontrar muchos momentos un poco aburridos o que se alejan de la trama romántica principal. Claro está que la intención del autor es no solo quedarse en la pareja sino ahondar en más cosas. Pero mi gusto personal va por el lado de la trama romántica.
Se dice que fueron sus amigos los que convencieron a Tchaikovzxky de hacer la ópera sobre Oneguin. Al principio el autor se negó pero terminó por hacer una de sus mejores obras. Los personajes son casi los mismos y el argumento también. Está la presencia de la joven e inocente Tatyana quien vive en condiciones humildes, aquí es como una pequeña burguesa, aunque igual hay descripciones del ambiente y actividades en el medio rural. Están los dos grandes amigos: el soberbio y personaje de mundo Oneguin quien viene invitado a una fiesta en el pueblo. Lo acompaña su amigo Lensky quien está enamorado de la coqueta Olga. Tal cual en la obra homónima de Pushkin los acontecimientos se desencadenarán.
Me encantó el tratamiento que se le dio a la obra original y cómo se condensaron las mejores partes.
"¡Con su mirada llena de fuego
ha trastornado mi alma,
ha despertado mi pasión dormida,
como si fuera una muchacha de nuevo,
como si nada nos hubiese separado nunca!"
cuando ayudaba a los pobres,
o buscaba refugio en la oración
por el sufrimiento de mi alma?"
Cómo me encantan los libretos de óperas. Desde luego, la ópera está hecha para ser cantada y es por ello que el libreto puede ser repetitivo por momentos o tener diálogos cortos porque al fin y al cabo todo es cantado y la repetición de palabras o frases va muy bien con la música. Sin embargo, me es siempre un placer poder leer las óperas clásicas porque tienen frases muy buenas y creo que la intención de los compositores es deleitar al público con buenos parlamentos y por qué no decirlo tramas muy románticas y a veces trágicas.
"Mi vida entera ha sido una súplica
de un encuentro inevitable contigo;
lo sé: ¡me has sido enviado por Dios,
eres mi custodio hasta la tumba!"
Debo decir que habiendo leído el poema "Euguenio Oneguin" de Pushkin que dio origen a esta ópera, prefiero el libreto de la ópera de Tchaikovzxky. Sobre todo porque como digo las pasiones y situaciones están condensadas en un corto tiempo para poder dar un gran impacto al público. Así, en la de Pushkin puedo encontrar muchos momentos un poco aburridos o que se alejan de la trama romántica principal. Claro está que la intención del autor es no solo quedarse en la pareja sino ahondar en más cosas. Pero mi gusto personal va por el lado de la trama romántica.
Se dice que fueron sus amigos los que convencieron a Tchaikovzxky de hacer la ópera sobre Oneguin. Al principio el autor se negó pero terminó por hacer una de sus mejores obras. Los personajes son casi los mismos y el argumento también. Está la presencia de la joven e inocente Tatyana quien vive en condiciones humildes, aquí es como una pequeña burguesa, aunque igual hay descripciones del ambiente y actividades en el medio rural. Están los dos grandes amigos: el soberbio y personaje de mundo Oneguin quien viene invitado a una fiesta en el pueblo. Lo acompaña su amigo Lensky quien está enamorado de la coqueta Olga. Tal cual en la obra homónima de Pushkin los acontecimientos se desencadenarán.
Me encantó el tratamiento que se le dio a la obra original y cómo se condensaron las mejores partes.
"¡Con su mirada llena de fuego
ha trastornado mi alma,
ha despertado mi pasión dormida,
como si fuera una muchacha de nuevo,
como si nada nos hubiese separado nunca!"
December 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm going to Madrid at the end of January and I'm lucky enough to have tickets for this wonderful opera.
I haven't read the original work by Pushkin yet so whilst I wait for the book to be delivered, I thought I'd familiarize myself with the opera itself.
Wow the story is absolutely amazing, just my cup of tea!
Very excited to read the book now and of course see the opera!
🫶🏼✨🥰
I'm going to Madrid at the end of January and I'm lucky enough to have tickets for this wonderful opera.
I haven't read the original work by Pushkin yet so whilst I wait for the book to be delivered, I thought I'd familiarize myself with the opera itself.
Wow the story is absolutely amazing, just my cup of tea!
Very excited to read the book now and of course see the opera!
🫶🏼✨🥰
September 30, 2023
As Emerson says, the libretto turns a “caustic novel” into a “sentimental opera”. It emphasizes fate/tragedy and habits/solace. The first two essays are helpful.
October 13, 2018
2.5 stars. Despite the libretto’s strong link to the excellent source material, this is an uneven opera. Tchaikovsky’s music is muted in the first act, sounding almost like an average old Hollywood film score. Only in Act II, especially the cotillion scene, and the beginning of Act III do we experience the power of Tchaikovsky’s lively composition.
The driving theme of the opera remains the same as Pushkin’s original text: we desire what we can never obtain and, in the process, overlook, take for granted, and/or destroy the bonds that we do have. Selfish love (ranging from playing insincere parlor games to engaging in an over-idealized fantasy) can only end in heartache or unrequited feelings. Tatiana breaks this vicious cycle by denying her misleading desire and remaining true to her word in an act of selflessness that ensures her honor remains intact even as her heart remains broken. Giving in to Onegin's pleas would only extend the cycle of destruction.
The emotional impact derives almost entirely from Pushkin’s verse, with the opera just riding on the tailcoats. It’s a shame because there are great moments here -- particularly the cotillion in Act II and Gremin’s passionate description of finding love in Act III -- but it’s not enough to carry the opera for me.
The driving theme of the opera remains the same as Pushkin’s original text: we desire what we can never obtain and, in the process, overlook, take for granted, and/or destroy the bonds that we do have. Selfish love (ranging from playing insincere parlor games to engaging in an over-idealized fantasy) can only end in heartache or unrequited feelings. Tatiana breaks this vicious cycle by denying her misleading desire and remaining true to her word in an act of selflessness that ensures her honor remains intact even as her heart remains broken. Giving in to Onegin's pleas would only extend the cycle of destruction.
The emotional impact derives almost entirely from Pushkin’s verse, with the opera just riding on the tailcoats. It’s a shame because there are great moments here -- particularly the cotillion in Act II and Gremin’s passionate description of finding love in Act III -- but it’s not enough to carry the opera for me.
February 10, 2025
a work on privilege blindness, miscommunication (or rather avoiding communication at all cost), male pride and ego getting in the way of everything and how time changes perspective. Honestly I can think of several people (men), that might benefit from reading it. Interesting how 200 years later and we can still spot similar mechanisms.
February 9, 2020
I love these opera guides from ENO.
February 19, 2025
Die Oper ist für manche ein Meisterwerk und ich habe eine Theateraufführung gesehen sowie die Verfilmung aber irgendwie fesselt es mich nicht komplett.
January 16, 2014
Very useful: has Russian libretto with parallel English translation, history, musical themes, a comparison to Pushkin's poetic novel.
April 21, 2017
Libretto translation a bit literal and klunky but good synopsis and analysis.
October 29, 2018
worth looking at Tchaikovsky's scoring of this fabulous opera!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews