Eugene Onegin - Edmonton Opera

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Activity 1:Questions for DiscussionWritten by Stephan BonfieldCurriculum ConnectionsELA Grades 5-9 2.2 Respond to Texts2.3 Understand Forms, Elements, and TechniquesELA Grades 10-12 1.2 Extend Awareness2.2 Understand and Appreciate Textual Forms,Elements and TechniquesStudent ObjectivesStudents will explore their understanding of the characters, plot and themes andshare their perspectives and interpretations. Answer the questions following excerptsfrom the Eugene Onegin synopsis and compare ideas with those of others in the classor within small groups. Please refer to the appropriate part of pg. 6–7 to assistin answering the questions.Act i, Scene 1 : The garden of the Larin country estateQuestionsDiscuss how it is possible to be bored with cosmopolitan city life. Onegin seems tosuffer from more than one problem. He despises the empty pleasures of the city but iscontemptuous of what he percieves to be narrow-minded rural gentry as well. Whatdoes this tell you about him, and what does this tell you about the problems he is likelygoing to face in this story?In spite of his disgruntlement, Onegin befriends the young poet Lenski. Lenskiintroduces Onegin to Larina, a country-estate owner with two daughters, Olga andTatiana. Larina, sitting outside with the family nurse, recalls her youth which she spentlistening to her Moscow cousin regale her with tales of romantic novels by Richardson,nostalgically reflecting on male characters such as the virtuous Charles Grandisonand the villainous Lovelace. And now, when Larina observes Tatiana absorbed in aromantic novel of ber own, she warns her daughter that real life is seldom like thestories they read.QuestionsWhat do you think of Larina’s comments? Is she projecting her disappointment in lifeonto her daughter? What do you think of this?If real life is seldom like the stories we read, why do we bother reading stories?ActivityDo a quick search on the novels of Richardson. Briefly describe what they are like. Dothey seem to bear any resemblance to modern-day romantic fiction?12
Lenski and Onegin arrive. Onegin is surprised that the serious and intense Lenskiis Olga’s fiancé, given her cheerfully outgoing yet superficial personality. Tatianais immediately attracted to Onegin. Tatiana’s character, the opposite of her sister,responds to Onegin as a fulfillment of her dreams, inspired by the romantic novels shehas been reading.QuestionsThis is often what is called nowadays a ‘red flag’ moment. Tatiana could be falling inlove with an illusion, i.e., a character in one of the novels she is reading, and not a reallifeman. Discuss the dangers of doing this. Discuss the possible benefits too. In someways, can love begin because of literature and its strong appeal to fantasy?Act i, Scene 2 : Tatiana’s bedroomQuestionsThe letter scene is very famous in the history of opera. How does Tchaikovsky revealmore of Tatiana's character in this scene? What do you think of her?Study the translation of the libretto in this scene. What seem to be the problems andrisks of her falling in love with Onegin?ActivityDo a search on Pushkin. What kind of novels did he write? Describe his views onhuman nature. How are they important in this opera? Is there a particularly ‘Russian’literary view of life that can be detected in this work?Act i, Scene 3 : Later, elsewhere on the Larin estateQuestionsHow can someone believe that they would not make a good partner for another? Is itdue to a lack of self confidence? Or, is Onegin simply being realistic? Does his past tellhim that a match between him and Tatiana would be poor?Act ii, Scene 1: The ballroom of the Larin house on Tatiana’s name-day.Onegin has been urged to come to the name-day celebration however he is intenselyirritated with the guests and their predilection for country gossip about him andTatiana. Petulantly, he contemplates revenge on Lenski for persuading him to come tothe event. He begins flirting with Olga, making Lenski extremely jealous and outraged.QuestionsWhat do you think of Onegin’s attitudes? What do you think of Onegin’s ‘revenge’?Would you do such a thing? Describe Lenski’s reactions to Onegin. Do you agree withLenski’s decision to ‘unfriend’ Onegin? It seems innocent at the time, but Onegin’sprankish actions carry dire consequences. Discuss how such pranks and innocent funhas led to tragedy in real life situations.How does Onegin react to the duel? Does he regret his actions now? What are thereasons Onegin gives for his acceptance of the duel? To what extent can we acceptthose reasons at face value?Act ii, Scene 2 : Early next morning near a river in the woodsQuestionsDescribe Lenski's thoughts about life, friendship and his relationship with Olga. Doyou agree with him? How does this scene make you feel about Lenski? Did he bring allthis about on himself, or did Onegin’s behavior set this tragic scene in motion?What do you think of Lenski's attitude toward the duel's potential outcomes? Wouldyou call him a fatalist? A stoic? Or is he regretful? Study Lenski's words in his finalaria, and use evidence from the music to support your answers.DiscussionDescribe the words Onegin and Lenski sing about friendship. Discuss the realism tothe story line and possibility for two friends to become so quickly estranged that theyare willing to kill one another.Social codes often prevail in situations we may find absurd. Discuss how both menmight conceive their situation to be impossible and why they cannot back out of it.ActivityResearch the history of duelling, and discuss its traditions. The duel is said to bePushkin and Tchaikosky’s commentary on the foolishness of this tradition. Explain.13
Page 2 and 3: Special thanks to our education com
Page 4 and 5: Director’sMessageTom DiamondI’v
Page 6 and 7: SynopsisWritten by Stephan Bonfield
Page 8 and 9: The StoryBehind the StoryThe DuelIn
Page 10 and 11: LibrettoThe libretto was written by
Page 14 and 15: Act iii, scene 1 :St. Petersburg, t
Page 16 and 17: EDMONTON OPERA PRESENTSTCHAIKOVSKYE

Eugene Onegin - Edmonton Opera

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