John Cranko's Onegin: the romantic ballet to discover at Opéra Garnier

Created in 1965 by choreographer John Cranko, Onegin is a ballet transposition ofAlexander Pushkin 's verse novel, a major work of 19th-century Russian literature. Rather than highlighting its social criticism, Cranko chooses to extract its dramatic and sentimental essence, featuring five characters whose fates are intertwined. Set to music by Tchaikovsky, this neoclassical ballet impresses with the fluidity of its writing and the psychological depth of its characters.

The ballet follows Tatiana, a dreamy, romantic young woman who falls in love with Onegin, a disillusioned dandy. He coldly rejects her, only to realize, far too late, that he has let his true love slip away. Meanwhile, a tragic duel pits his friend Lenski against him, further precipitating his isolation and regret.

Onegin will appeal above all to lovers of narrative ballets and romantic drama. Through demanding, expressive choreography, Cranko reveals the torments of the human soul, between lost illusions and disappointments in love. Fans of the neoclassical repertoire will find echoes of other great narrative ballets, such as Kenneth MacMillan's Manon and John Neumeier's La Dame aux camélias.

This ballet is particularly recommended for those who appreciate works where dance transcends the spoken word to deliver raw, heartfelt emotion. On the other hand, audiences looking for a contemporary retelling or modernized staging may find this version too faithful to the classical tradition.

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Added to theParis Opéra repertoire in 2009, Onegin has become an eagerly-awaited rendezvous for ballet lovers. With its refined settings, from the Larina sisters' country house to the splendor of Prince Gremin's ballroom, this work captivates as much by its visual beauty as by its dramatic intensity. A rare opportunity to (re)discover a ballet of rare sensitivity, set to Tchaikovsky's timeless music.

This article is based on information available online, we have not yet seen the show or play mentioned.