Australia Dancing

Onegin

Stringer, Walter: John Meehan in the Australian Ballet production of 'Onegin', 1977

Onegin was first performed in Australia in 1974 by the Stuttgart Ballet, the company for whom John Cranko had created the work in 1965. A large-scale dramatic and emotional work in three-acts, Onegin is one of Cranko's most popular ballets, particularly acclaimed for its pas de deux choreography. Its libretto, an epic tale of love and revenge, is based on the Alexander Pushkin novel-in-verse that also inspired the 1879 Tchaikovsky opera of the same name. While not using music from the opera, Cranko set his ballet to a number of Tchaikovsky's piano and orchestral works, arranged and orchestrated by Kurt-Heinz Stolze. At the Australian premiere, which was greeted with a standing ovation, Heinz Clauss danced in the title role, with Marcia Haydee as Tatiana.

Artistic director Anne Woolliams first staged Onegin for the Australian Ballet. It premiered on December 1, 1976 at the Sydney Opera House, with John Meehan in the title role, Marilyn Rowe as Tatiana, Kelvin Coe as Lensky, Maria Lang as Olga, Mary Duchesne as Madame Larina and Joseph Janusaitis as Prince Gremin. Scenery and costumes for the Australian staging were, as for the original production, by Jurgen Rose. During the opening season, the role of Tatiana was also danced by Michela Kirlaldie and by Gerd Andersson, guest artist from the Royal Swedish Ballet. Marilyn Jones danced in this role for the Melbourne premiere.

Onegin has remained in the repertoire of the flagship company, with a notable revival in 1996 staged by Reid Anderson. Miranda Coney and Adam Marchant danced as Tatiana and Onegin for the premiere of this production, with Justine Summers being promoted to principal artist after dancing the lead role with Steven Heathcote on the Melbourne opening night.

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Find more about Onegin in:

Internet - Google
Libraries - Libraries Australia
Pictures - Picture Australia