Eddie Pensier writes:
Alexander Pushkin’s 1833 novel-poem is one one the acknowledged masterpieces of Russian literature. Its moodiness, beauty, and sheer Russianness, as well as its themes of irrepressible young love and opportunities missed, have made it popular for adaptations across many art forms.
Charles Johnston’s translation preserves most of the original iambic tetrameter.
James Falen’s translation is available in a free audiobook download, read by Stephen Fry.
The first part of the moving 1999 film version starring Ralph Fiennes as the ultimate jaded rake. Liv Tyler makes a beautiful Tatyana. (Subsequent parts are also on Youtube.)
Probably the most famous adaptation of Onegin is Tchaikovsky’s 1879 opera, here performed at the Met last year by the peerless Russian soprano Anna Netrebko and Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecen.
A spinoff of sorts from the opera is John Cranko’s 1960 ballet, which is scored with various bits of Tchaikovsky (but oddly, no excerpts from the opera) arranged and orchestrated by Kurt-Heinz Stolze. Here the final scene is danced at the Bolshoi Theater by Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes.
Blowhard, Esq.
Callowman
Sherbrooke
Eddie Pensier
Enzo Nakamura
Epaminondas
Fabrizio del Wrongo
Fenster
Brundle Guy
Glynn Marshes
Paleo Retiree
Atypical Neurotic
Question Lady
Sax von Stroheim
Sir Barken Hyena
The Mistaken
Uncouth Reflections 
Russians historically have a complex relationship with the poem. Nabokov and “Onegin” could be a whole seminar topic. Nabokov’s non-literary world-for-word translation, the resulting feud with Wilson, etc. Regarding the opera, I saw Gedda sing “Onegin” at the Met in the late 1970s — or at least heard him. As a poor student, I was far, far back in the house. Against the back wall, in fact. The stage was a distant glow, set in plush, where gliding shapes released lovely sounds.
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Yeah, the Nabokov connection is a whole other post in itself, so I decided not to go into it.
I never had the privilege of hearing Gedda live in opera (I did catch a duo recital he did with Federica von Stade in 1982). I’ve heard lots of other genius Lenskys though… Francisco Araiza, Marcello Giordani, Neil Shicoff, and the late Jerry Hadley. Most recently I saw Ramon Vargas in the HD broadcast of the Robert Carsen production. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
Isn’t it interesting that we always remember the Tatyanas and Lenskys before the Onegins?
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Superb. Thanks.
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