Exploration of an Opera by musician scholars that brings out the story of the opera and aspects of its creation.

Probably Peter Tchaikovsky’s most popular opera, this is a story in which pride cometh before the fall. Young Tatiana falls in love with Onegin and sings of her passion (in a gorgeous soliloquy) as she writes him a letter expressing that love. Now, Onegin wants her, he wants her to leave the Prince and run away with him, but Tatiana, even though wanting to go, rejects Onegin, leaving him desolate and abandoned. Our lecturer is Derek Katz, an Associate Professor of Music History at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will help us understand how Tchaikovsky’s music helps us feel the emotions of the characters and charms us. Derek has given us a number of great lectures on operas with a Slavic connection.