SFO's 'Eugene Onegin' Review: A Fresh Cast Shines with Distinctive Stage Personas

The San Francisco Opera's production of Tchaikovsky's beloved opera, 'Eugene Onegin', has just opened to the public, featuring a cast of mostly young and relatively unknown singers. While it may be a risk for the company to assign four major roles to artists who have not yet reached international stardom, the results are surprisingly delightful.

The two lead sopranos, Evgenia Muraveva as Tatyana and Aigul Akhmetshina as Maddalena, bring distinct and captivating stage presences to their respective roles. Muraveva's powerful voice shines in the iconic letter scene, where she pours her heart out to Onegin through a heartfelt and soulful performance. Akhmetshina, on the other hand, brings a charming and playful energy to her role as Maddalena, making her character feel fully fleshed out.

Conductor Vassilis Christopoulos, a regular at the Greek National Opera in Athens, sets a careful tone that balances energy and precision, allowing the singers to shine. Nicola Luisotti, who conducted for the final time as music director of SFO, delivered authentic Verdi with his usual flair in the opera's earlier performances.

While this cast may not have reached the same level of stardom as some previous productions, they still manage to impress with their accuracy and individuality in both music and acting. Designer Michael Levine's period costumes add a touch of elegance and charm to the production, which has been seen at the Metropolitan Opera since 1997.

The sleek and colorful Robert Carsen production has become a staple of SFO's repertoire, and this new cast brings fresh energy to it. While they may not have hit the jackpot, they still get the job done with impressive results. Overall, SFO's 'Eugene Onegin' is a delightful addition to their 2023 season, showcasing the talents of up-and-coming singers and reminding audiences why Tchaikovsky's music remains timeless and beloved.

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