Richard Bratby

Heartfelt and thought-provoking: Eugene Onegin, at the Royal Opera, reviewed

Plus: Kahchun Wong, the Hallé's new principal conductor, is one to watch

Kristiana Mkhitaryan (Tatyana) and Gordon Bintner (Eugene Onegin) in Ted Huffman's new production for the Royal Opera House. Image: Tristram Kenton 
issue 05 October 2024

The curtain is already up at the start of Ted Huffman’s new production of Eugene Onegin. The auditorium is lit but the stage is in darkness and almost bare. Gradually, as Tchaikovsky’s prelude sighs and unfurls, the stage brightens and the theatre grows dim. But not before Onegin (Gordon Bintner) – tousle-headed and in a designer suit – has walked out, bowed to the house and retired to a chair at the back of the stage, to wait for the story to call him to life.

Any competent maestro can whip up a big noise, but it’s a lot harder to...

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in