Unknown Prokofiev. Eugene Onegin

Unknown Prokofiev. Eugene Onegin

In 1936, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the poet’s death, Prokofiev decided to create a score for a dramatic performance by the Chamber Theatre under the direction of Alexander Tairov.

The memoirs of one of his contemporaries contain important information: “They persuaded Sergei Prokofiev to write the music. It was quite difficult.” Sergei Sergeevich resolutely refused to work on “Eugene Onegin” after Tchaikovsky. He came to the reading of the play looking gloomy and displeased, sat in an armchair in the far corner of Tairov’s huge office, and listened to the first scenes while looking at his feet… After the reading, he joined in the conversation and the debate — and ended up agreeing to the musical accompaniment, already captivated by some creative possibilities that were known only to him. The musical fragments he wrote were vivid and original, especially interesting are the contrasts of the music of the provincial orchestra at Tatiana's name day and the cold, dignified one at the Petersburg party."

However, this production remained unfulfilled, although Prokofiev greatly valued his work. The composer sadly recalled: "My music lay on the shelf for a long time, and then gradually began to dissolve into other compositions." The composer included separate fragments of Onegin in the opera War and Peace, and one of Tatiana's themes in the Seventh Symphony."

In the year of Prokofiev's 135th birthday, the musical and dramatic composition "Eugene Onegin" will appear on the stage of the Hermitage Theater, revealing the composer's sensitive perception of Pushkin's text and his deep musical interpretation of the immortal lines of the novel.

Performers:

The Christmas Ensemble

Artistic director: Honored Artist of Russia Olga Stupneva

State Dance Ensemble "Barynya"

Artistic director: Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Timokhina

St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Pavel Petrenko

Director of Photography: Marina Senh

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes without intermission

Tickets are sold at a single rate. There are no discounts.

Children aged 0 and over must purchase a full-price ticket.

All Tickets WITHOUT SERVICE FEE!