Opera Scotland

Eugene Onegin in St Andrews

Posted 9 Jun 2012

For three nights this week, Tchaikovsky's masterpiece is being performed at the Byre Theatre in a production by St Andrews Opera (in partnership with London-based Bloomsbury Opera). The title role is being taken by the outstanding young baritone Christopher Jacklin and the role of Gremin by Jonathan Sedgwick.  Katrina Sheppeard is Tatyana and the remaining roles are being taken by the very best student singers from St Andrews, and by singers from Bloomsbury Opera, all of whom have undertaken postgraduate training in London.  The production is directed by Kally Lloyd-Jones (Scottish Opera, Company Chordelia) whose background as a dancer and choreographer has been used to good effect in drilling the cast in the waltzes, mazurkas and polonaises that punctuate this wonderful score.  Lighting design is by Daniel Murfin of the National Theatre and period costumes have been kindly loaned by Scottish Opera.  The professional orchestra, fifteen strong, is to be conducted by Dr Michael Downes, Director of Music at the University and they will be performing to an orchestral arrangement by Julian Grant.  Check out times and the cast of Eugene Onegin here, and click through to book your tickets.  When you've done this, read about some previous performances of Eugene Onegin in Scotland (including the very first!).  NB The illustration shown above is a sketch of Onegin by Pushkin himself.