For every Russian opera theatre it is a matter of prestige to have ‘Evgeny Onegin’ in its repertoire. But for the Stanislavsky Theatre in Moscow this opera has always been a symbol.

It was the first opera ever staged at the theatre almost 70 years ago. After a break – as the auditorium was damaged in the fire – ‘Onegin’ is back on its stage.

The director of this performance Aleksandr Titel decided to stage the opera in its original version as it was 70 years ago. He has got a reason – ‘Evgeny Onegin’ is too popular and it has been staged in many different interpretations but certainly with brand new sets and costumes.

“I just wanted to stage a theatrical symphony praising the eternal beauty and the paradox of the Russian soul,” commented Aleksandr Titel, the director.

Singer Andrey Batorkin, one of the most charismatic ones at the Stanislavsky Theatre, was chosen to take the lead.

“We tried to make the relationship between a man and a woman look more up-to-date though it is very difficult as we did not change a single word in the opera,” said Andrey Batorkin.

So the famous classical opera is back in the repertoire of the Stanislavsky Theatre in its original glory.