What would life be without romantic illusions but is it possible to only live in them? And what to do when illusions turn into nothing more than a store of empty memories.
Act I
Summer is slowly coming to an end. In the garden, Larina, the lady of the manor, and Filippyevna, a nanny, are making jams. The songs of Larina’s daughters Tatyana and Olga bring back memories of their youth and its romantic foolishness, which has been replaced by habits and routines. A song of approaching villagers bringing this year’s harvest to the house sounds in the distance. The early evening idyll is interrupted by the arrival of poet Lensky, who is in love with Olga. Lensky brings his friend Onegin who has recently moved to the neighborhood. Tatyana, filled with illusions of romantic love, falls head over heels in love with handsome Onegin, who is so different from the man around her, although they have only exchanged a few polite words. In the evening, Tatyana confides to the nanny that she is in love and spends the whole night writing her love confession to Onegin.
In the morning, she begs Filippyevna to have the letter delivered to Onegin. After he reads the letter, he goes to see Tatyana. His cold confession that he would never love her humiliates her deeply.
Act II
There is Tatyana’s name day celebration at the Larins’. Lensky and Onegin are among the guests. When dancing with Tatyana, Onegin overhears guests gossiping about him. He decides to take revenge on Lensky, who brought him to the ball, and starts courting his Olga. He dances with her, one dance after another.
The careless girl doesn’t see anything wrong with it but Lensky, being jealous, starts a row and to general dismay, challenges Onegin to a duel. Early morning, Lensky and Zaretsky, his second, are waiting for Onegin. His thoughts are with Olga and the happy youth he spent in her company. Onegin appears, and although both friends hesitate briefly, they grasp the handguns. Lensky is shot dead.
Act III
After several years abroad, Onegin returns to St. Petersburg. He comes to a ball straight from the ship. Astonished, he recognizes the charming young lady admired by all is Tatyana, only to find out she is married to Prince Gremin. He tells Onegin emotionally about his happiness and love for Tatyana. Onegin realizes what he lost when he rejected her years ago.
Just like Tatyana back then, Onegin sends a letter with an ardent love confession. When they meet, Tatyana rejects him. Not even his passionate pleas win her over, her fate is decided, and she will remain faithful to her husband. In the end, she admits she still loves Onegin. But the happiness that was once so close is out of reach now, and Tatyana leaves.