Les Arts delves into the romanticism of Eugene Onegin through Laurent Pelly's introspective and psychological vision

LES ARTS ÈS ÒPERA

Les Arts delves into the romanticism of Eugene Onegin through Laurent Pelly's introspective and psychological vision

• The work stars Mattia Olivieri, the most internationally renowned baritone to emerge from the Opera Studio of Les Arts, alongside Corinne Winters and Dmitry Korchak
• It is conducted by Timur Zangev, a new leading figure in the Russian repertoire, who has performed at venues such as La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera, and the Salzburg Festival.

He The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía premieres Eugene Onegin this coming Tuesday, January 20th. by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the pinnacle opera of Russian romanticism, in Laurent Pelly's acclaimed introspective and psychological vision under the musical direction of Timur Zangev.

Jesús Iglesias Noriega, artistic director of Les Arts, and Laurent Pelly, stage director, presented this title today, which returns to the repertoire of the Valencian arts center, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, 15 years after its first performance in 2011.

Iglesias Noriega emphasized that Eugene Onegin stands out as one of the most beloved operas among music lovers. “Many of its arias and passages, such as the Letter Scene, Lensky's aria, the waltz in Act Two, and the polonaise in Act Three, are pieces with their own distinct place in concert and recital programs,” he noted.

Laurent Pelly returns to Valencia after his acclaimed production of Rossini's La Cenerentola for Les Arts, which captivated audiences in 2020. His staging of Eugene Onegin stands out as one of his most celebrated works of recent years: a brilliant exercise in directing actors to delve into the intimate romanticism of the quintessential Russian opera.

Based on the novel of the same name by Alexander Pushkin, the Slavic composer reached heights of exceptional lyricism in the portrayal of Eugene Onegin, archetype of the romantic anti-hero, a dandy of affluent class trapped by his personal paradoxes, whose rejection of the young Tatiana and his subsequent regret condemn him to utter loneliness.

Laurent Pelly presents a set design that is abstract yet offers numerous possibilities for interpretation through movement and music. As he himself explains, it is a “highly choreographic staging.” “The music intervenes, prompts the characters to act, and creates their movement. It is so strong, emotive, and powerful that, in the end, nothing more is needed.”

Timur Zangev conducts the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana for the first time. The young and rising star is already a familiar name for Russian repertoire at venues such as La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera, and the Salzburg Festival. Zangev will make his Metropolitan Opera debut with this same work in New York this coming April.

The cast is headed by Mattia Olivieri, the most successful baritone to have trained at the Centre de Perfeccionament de Les Arts. The Italian singer, a key figure in the Valencian opera house's programming, is singing the lead role for the first time.

Joining her in the role of Tatiana is American soprano Corinne Winters, an exceptional Jenůfa in Katie Mitchell's brilliant 2023 production. Dmitry Korchak, who sang this role in Valencia in 2011, returns as Lenski. Ksenia Dudnikova (Olga), Giorgi Manoshvili (Prince Gremin), Alison Kettlewell (Larina), and Margarita Nekrasova (Filippievna) complete the cast.

Eugene Onegin is a co-production of La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels and the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, with set design by Massimo Troncanetti, costume collaboration by Jean-Jacques Delmotte, lighting by Marco Giusti and choreography by Lionel Hoche.

To coincide with the performances, the arts center has developed a wide-ranging educational and family program focused on the figure and work of Tchaikovsky: a 72-hour marathon, from January 23 to 25, which will include concerts, recitals, dramatized readings and educational activities in collaboration with conservatories, universities and training centers in the Valencian Community.

Les Arts will premiere Eugene Onegin on January 20th. The remaining performances will take place on January 23rd, 25th, and 29th, as well as February 1st. Tickets can be purchased through the theater's various sales channels: box office, the sales line 96 197 59 00, and the Les Arts website.