EUGEN ONEGIN | Bühnen Bern

EUGEN ONEGIN | Bühnen Bern

Just four days after my discovery of Lucrezia Borgia in Rome—a recommendation from Charles Castronovo—this time, it was my friend and fellow opera enthusiast Henri who led me to a new experience: Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin!

A few weeks ago, Henri messaged me on WhatsApp:
“You absolutely have to listen to this!”

Now, Henri knows my taste well—he knows I’m all about Italian opera, Verdi, bel canto, the whole deal. So when he told me that I’d fall in love with a Russian opera, I was intrigued. And after just three or four listens, I was completely hooked! The musical depth, the emotional dialogues, the sweeping orchestration—it all clicked.

So imagine my excitement when I finally got to experience it live in the capital of my own country, at Bühnen Bern!

Before anything else, I want to take a moment to thank the Bern Opera for their bold programming, their artistic vision, and their ability to bring in such fantastic singers—many of them not yet widely known, but immensely talented!


What’s Eugene Onegin about?

Let’s break it down simply:

Eugene Onegin is basically a 19th-century Russian soap opera, but with some of the most gorgeous music ever written.

  • Tatiana, a dreamy, bookish young woman, falls madly in love with Onegin, a handsome but emotionally unavailable aristocrat.
  • She pours her heart into a love letter, only for Onegin to reject her coldly (ouch).
  • Meanwhile, Onegin gets into an unnecessary duel with his best friend Lensky—and kills him (double ouch).
  • Fast-forward a few years: Tatiana has moved on, married a prince, and become the picture of elegance and strength.
  • Onegin suddenly realizes, “Oops, I messed up”, and tries to win her back—but now, it’s her turn to reject him.

In short: a classic case of “right love, wrong time”, set to some of the most heart-wrenching music you’ll ever hear.

An evening of beauty, warmth, and emotion

I attended the performance on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, after a cold but sunny day in Switzerland. The moment I stepped into the theater, the warm, inviting set design immediately made me feel at home.

I loved the entire atmosphere—the mix of traditional and modern costumes, the vibrant colors, and especially the stunning Act II, which was a true visual and emotional masterpiece.

And then there’s the music—sweeping, passionate, intimate yet grand. Hearing Tchaikovsky live for the first time was an overwhelming experience, and I know this is just the beginning of a long journey into his music.

Verity Wingate – Soprano

I absolutely must highlight Verity Wingate, who gave a breathtaking performance as Tatiana.

Her Letter Scene—the pivotal moment where she confesses her love—was simply spellbinding. Every note, every gesture, every emotion felt so raw and real. She completely owned that moment, making us feel every ounce of Tatiana’s youthful hope and heartbreak.

Without a doubt, one of the standout performances of the night!

Who was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

If Eugene Onegin was my first introduction to Tchaikovsky’s operas, I can guarantee it won’t be my last! But who was the man behind the music?

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was one of Russia’s greatest composers, known for blending lush, emotional melodies with deep psychological storytelling.

Unlike many composers of his time, he wasn’t part of the Russian nationalist movement—his music was more influenced by Western European styles, which made it unique.

He struggled with self-doubt, depression, and societal pressures, but his personal turmoil gave his music an unparalleled depth and emotional power.

His most famous works:

Ballets: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty (You definitely know these!)

Symphonies: Symphony No. 4, 5, & 6 (“Pathétique”)

Operas: Eugene Onegin, The Queen of Spades

Concertos: Piano Concerto No. 1, Violin Concerto

Whether it’s passionate romances, dramatic tragedies, or sweeping orchestral themes, Tchaikovsky’s music always tells a story—and after last night, I’m eager to explore even more!

Final thoughts

I walked into Bühnen Bern excited but unsure what to expect. I walked out completely in love with Tchaikovsky’s music.

The combination of stunning visuals, rich storytelling, and an unforgettable performance by Verity Wingate made this a night to remember.

And to Henri—who knew exactly what I needed to hear—thank you!

CASTING

Jonathan McGovern

Verity Wingate

Michał Prószyński

Evgenia Asanova

Claude Eichenberger

Jordanka Milkova

Christian Valle

Fabian Meinen

Conductor

Anna Sułkowska-Migoń

Staging

Árpád Schilling

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