“Eugene Onegin” – Act 1

ACT ONE

Scene One 1. Duet and Quartet. The Larin country estate — the house and adjoining garden. It is evening. Larina and the nurse are making jam. The voices of Tatyana and Olga singing a duet are heard from within the house. TATYANA, OLGA (offstage): Have you not heard, from beyond the grove at night, the voice that sings of love and sings of sorrow? When, at the morning hour, the fields lay silent, the music of the pipe, simple and sad — have you not heard? LARINA (to the nurse): They are singing, and I, too, used to sing that song in days gone by. Do you remember? I used to sing it too. FILIPYEVNA: You were young then! TATYANA, OLGA (offstage): Have you not sighed, hearing that gentle voice, the singer of love, the singer of his sorrow? When in the forest you once saw a youth and met the gaze of his sunken eyes — did you not sigh? Did you not sigh? LARINA: How I loved Richardson! FILIPYEVNA: You were young then. LARINA: Not because I had read him. But in the old days Princess Alina, my cousin in Moscow, kept on to me about him. FILIPYEVNA: Yes, I remember. LARINA: Ah, Grandison! Ah, Grandison!

FILIPYEVNA: Yes, I remember. At that time your husband was still courting you, but against your will; you were dreaming of another, one who pleased you much more in heart and mind! LARINA: Why, he was a fine dandy, a gambler and an ensign in the Guards! FILIPYEVNA: Years long gone by! LARINA: How well I always used to dress! FILIPYEVNA: Always in the latest fashion! LARINA: Always in the fashion and becomingly! FILIPYEVNA: Always in the fashion and becomingly! LARINA: But suddenly, without even asking me... FILIPYEVNA: They married you off without further ado! Then, to relieve your unhappiness... LARINA: Oh, how I cried to begin with! I nearly left my husband! FILIPYEVNA: ...the master came here soon after, you busied yourself with the household, became resigned and settled down. LARINA: I busied myself with the household, became resigned and settled down. FILIPYEVNA: And God be thanked! LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: Habit is sent us from above in place of happiness. Yes, that is how it is: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness.

LARINA: Corset, album, Princess Pauline, the book of sentimental verse — I forgot them all. FILIPYEVNA: You began to call the maid Akulka instead of “Céline” and restored at last... LARINA: Ah... LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: ...the quilted dressing gown and mob cap! Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness. Yes, that is how it is: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness. LARINA: But my husband loved me truly... FILIPYEVNA: Yes, the master loved you truly. LARINA: ...and trusted me unreservedly in all things. FILIPYEVNA: ...and trusted you unreservedly in all things. LARINA, FILIPYEVNA: Habit is sent us from above, in place of happiness.

2. Chorus and Peasant Dance. The sound of a peasant song is heard in the distance. PEASANT LEADER (offstage): My swift little feet ache from walking. PEASANTS (offstage): ...Ache from walking. LEADER: My white hands ache from working. PEASANTS: ...Ache from working. My ardent heart aches from caring. I don’t know what to do, how to forget my sweetheart. My swift little feet ache from walking. My white hands ache from working, ache from working.

The peasant band enters, the leaders bearing a decorated sheaf. PEASANTS: Greetings, your ladyship, greetings, benefactress! We come before your Grace bearing the decorated sheaf! The harvest is all gathered in! LARINA: So, that’s excellent. Now make merry! I’m pleased to see you all. Sing us something jolly! PEASANTS: If that’s what you’d like, little mother! Come, let’s entertain the lady. Now, girls, stand in a ring! Come along now, all get ready! The young folk form a circle and dance around the sheaf; the others sing. Tatyana, book in hand, and Olga come out onto the balcony. One day across the bridge, the little bridge, along the hazel planks, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, along the hazel planks, came a fine young fellow, fresh and ruddy as a raspberry, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, fresh and ruddy as a raspberry. Over his shoulder he carries a cudgel, under one coat-skirt he carries bagpipes, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, under the other is a fiddle. Now just you guess, my dearest, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, now just you guess, my dearest. The sun has set — aren’t you asleep? Come out yourself or else send out, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, come out yourself or else send out,

Sasha or Masha or dear little Parasha, Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, send dear little Parasha, Sasha or Masha or dear little Parasha. Parashenka came out and had a talk with her sweetheart: Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, had a talk with her sweetheart: “Don’t grumble at me, my dearest, I’ve come out just as I was, in my shabby little blouse and my short skirt. Vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, vayinu, in my shabby little blouse and my short skirt! Vayinu!

3. Scene and Olga’s Aria. TATYANA: How I love to dream when I hear these songs, and float away somewhere, somewhere far off! OLGA: Ah, Tanya, Tanya! You’re always dreaming! But I am quite unlike you — I feel merry when I hear singing. (Dancing a few steps.) “Across the bridge, the little bridge, along the hazel planks...” I was not made for melancholy sighing, I do not like to dream in silence, nor, on the balcony in the dark night, to sigh, to sigh, to sigh from the depths of my soul. Why should I sigh, when full of happiness my youthful days flow gently by? I am carefree and full of fun, and everyone calls me a child! For me life will always, always be sweet, and I shall remain, as I always have, like a light-hearted hope — playful, carefree, merry! I was not made for melancholy sighing, I do not like to dream in silence, nor, on the balcony in the dark night, to sigh, to sigh, to sigh from the depths of my soul. Why should I sigh, when full of happiness my youthful days flow gently by? I am carefree and full of fun, and everyone calls me a child!

4. Scene. LARINA: Well, my frolicsome one, merry and playful little bird that you are — I expect you’re ready to dance right now, isn’t that so? FILIPYEVNA (to Tatyana): Tanyusha! Hey, Tanyusha! What’s the matter? You’re not ill, are you? TATYANA: No, nurse — I’m quite well. LARINA (to the peasants): Well, my dears, thank you for the songs. Go over to the annexe. (To Filipyevna.) Filipyevna, see that they have some wine. Goodbye, my friends! PEASANTS: Goodbye, little mother! The peasants leave. The nurse goes with them. Tatyana sits down on the steps of the terrace and becomes engrossed in her book. OLGA: Mama, just look at Tanya! LARINA: What is it? (Looking at Tatyana.) Indeed, my dear, you’re very pale. TATYANA: I always am; don’t worry, Mama! It’s very interesting, this book I’m reading. LARINA (laughing): Is that why you’re so pale? TATYANA: Why yes, of course, Mama! The account of the torments suffered by these two true lovers moves me so. I’m so sorry for them, poor things! Oh, how they suffer, how they suffer! LARINA: That’s enough, Tanya. I used to get upset, just like you, when I read such books. It’s only fiction. As the years went by, I came to see that there are no heroes in real life. Now I take things calmly.

OLGA: You shouldn’t take things quite so calmly! Look, you’ve forgotten to take off your apron! Supposing Lensky should arrive, what then? Mme Larina hastily removes her apron. Olga laughs. The noise of an approaching carriage and the jingling of bells is heard. OLGA: Listen! Someone’s coming. It’s him! LARINA: It is indeed! TATYANA (looking down from the terrace): He’s not alone... LARINA: Who could it be? FILIPYEVNA (hurrying in): Madam, the young gentleman Lensky has arrived. Mr. Onegin is with him! TATYANA: Oh, quick, I’ll run away! LARINA (restraining her): Where are you off to, Tanya? People will talk! Gracious, my cap’s on crooked! OLGA (to Larina): Have them shown in, then! LARINA (to the footboy): Quick, ask them to come in, quickly! The footboy runs off. Everyone prepares in great excitement to receive the guests. The nurse tidies Tatyana up, then leaves, making a sign to her not to be frightened.

5. Scene and Quartet Lensky and Onegin enter. Lensky kisses Mme Larina’s hand and bows politely to the girls. LENSKY: Mesdames! I’ve taken the liberty of bringing a friend along. May I introduce Onegin, my neighbour. ONEGIN (bowing): I’m very honoured. LARINA (rather flustered): Oh please — we’re delighted to see you. Do sit down! These are my daughters. ONEGIN: I’m very, very happy to meet you! LARINA: Come into the house! Or perhaps you’d prefer to stay out of doors? I beg you, don’t stand on ceremony; we’re neighbours, so there’s no need for formality! LENSKY: It’s delightful here! I love this garden, so shady and secluded — one is so comfortable here! LARINA: That’s splendid! (To the girls.) I’ll go and see to things in the house. You entertain our guests. I won’t be long. Onegin walks over to Lensky and speaks quietly with him. Tatyana and Olga stand apart, lost in thought. ONEGIN (to Lensky): Tell me, which is Tatyana? LENSKY: Why, the one who is sad and silent, like Svetlana! ONEGIN: I’m very curious to know. Can you really be in love with the younger one? LENSKY: Why? ONEGIN: I should have chosen the other, had I been, like you, a poet!

TATYANA (aside): My waiting is over, my eyes have been opened! I know, I know that this is he! OLGA: Oh, I knew, I knew that the appearance of Onegin would make a great impression on everyone and give the neighbours plenty to talk about! There will be no end to the conjectures... LENSKY: Ah, my dear friend... ONEGIN: There’s no life in Olga’s features — she’s just like a Van Dyck Madonna. Her face is as round and rosy... as that stupid moon on that dull horizon! LENSKY: ...Wave and rock, poetry and prose, ice and flame, are not as different from each other as we are in our contrasting natures! TATYANA: Now, alas, my days and nights and my burning, solitary dreams will always be filled with his dear image! OLGA: Everyone will start to whisper, joke, judge — not without malice! There will be no end to the conjectures. TATYANA: Ceaselessly, with magical power, everything will speak to me of him, and my soul will be seared with the fire of love. OLGA: Joke, and judge — not without malice — and appoint him Tanya’s suitor! TATYANA: Everything will speak to me of him, and my soul will be seared by love’s fire!

6. Scene and Lensky’s Arioso.

LENSKY: How happy, how happy I am! I see you once again! OLGA: We saw each other yesterday, I think. LENSKY: Oh yes! But all the same, a whole long day — a long day — has gone by since we were last together. An eternity! OLGA: Eternity! What a dreadful word! LENSKY: Perhaps... But it is not dreadful for my love! Lensky and Olga stroll off into the garden. ONEGIN (to Tatyana): Tell me, is it not dreadfully boring for you here in the depths of the country, which, though lovely, is so far away? I don’t suppose you get much amusement. TATYANA: I read a great deal. ONEGIN: It’s true that reading provides abundant food for thought and feeling, but one can’t sit over a book the whole time! TATYANA: I daydream sometimes, strolling in the garden. ONEGIN: What do you dream about? TATYANA: Pensiveness has been my companion since my earliest days. ONEGIN: I see you’re a terrible dreamer — I used to be the same at one time. Onegin and Tatyana continue their conversation as they stroll away along the garden path. Lensky and Olga return.

LENSKY: I love you, I love you, Olga, as only a poet’s frantic heart can still be fated to love. Always, everywhere, one dream alone, one constant longing, one insistent sadness! As a boy I was captivated by you, when heartache was still unknown; I witnessed, with tender emotion, your childish games. Beneath the grove’s protecting boughs I shared those games. I love you, I love you, with that love known only to a poet’s heart. For you alone I dream, for you alone I long; you are my joy and my suffering. I love you, I love you — eternally —and nothing: not the chilling distance, not the hour of parting, not pleasure’s clamour, can quench that heart aflame with love’s virgin fire! OLGA: In the shelter of rural tranquillity... we grew up together... LENSKY: I love you!... OLGA: And do you remember how our fathers destined us for each other even in early childhood? LENSKY: I love you, I love you!

7. Closing Scene. LARINA: Ah, there you are! But wherever has Tanya got to? FILIPYEVNA: She must be strolling by the lake with our guest; I’ll go and call her. LARINA: And tell her from me it’s time to come indoors and let our hungry guests take pot-luck at table! (Filipyevna leaves.) (To Lensky.) Please, do come in! LENSKY: We’re right behind you. Mme Larina enters the house. Olga and Lensky follow close behind. Tatyana and Onegin walk slowly from the pond toward the house; the nurse follows at a distance. ONEGIN (to Tatyana): My uncle was a man of the highest principles; when he finally took to his bed he forced the respect of all, and it was the best thing he could do. May others profit from his example! (Already on the terrace.) But, my God, what a bore it was, sitting by an invalid day and night, never daring to move a step away! (Tatyana and Onegin enter the house.) FILIPYEVNA (to herself): There goes my little dove, with meekly drooping head and downcast eyes — she’s dreadfully shy! I wonder — could she have taken a fancy to this new young man? (She enters the house, thoughtfully shaking her head.)

Scene Two 8. Entr’acte and Scene with the Nurse. FILIPYEVNA: Well, I’ve let my tongue run on! It’s time for bed, Tanya. I’ll wake you early for mass; go to sleep quickly. TATYANA: I’m not sleepy, nurse, it’s so stuffy in here! Open the window and come and sit by me. FILIPYEVNA: Why, Tanya, what’s the matter with you? TATYANA: I’m bored. Let’s talk about the old days. FILIPYEVNA: But what about them, Tanya? I used to know any number of old tales and fairy stories about evil spirits and beautiful maidens, but now my memory’s gone — I’ve forgotten all I knew, that’s a fact! I’m getting old. It’s all gone! TATYANA: Tell me, nurse, about your past: were you in love when you were young? FILIPYEVNA: Get along with you, Tanya! In those days one didn’t talk of love, or my late mother-in-law would have chased me from the face of the earth! TATYANA: Then how did you get married, nurse? FILIPYEVNA: It was God’s will, I suppose! My Vanya was even younger than me, my love, and I was only thirteen! For a week or two the marriage broker kept calling on my parents, and finally my father gave his consent. I cried bitterly with fright; they wept as they undid my maiden plait and led me with songs to the church, and I found myself installed in a strange family... But you’re not listening to me!

TATYANA: Oh nurse, nurse, I’m consumed with longing, I’m all upset, my dear; I’m ready to burst into tears. FILIPYEVNA: You’re not well, my child; Lord have mercy on us! Let me sprinkle you with holy water. You’re feverish. TATYANA: I’m not ill, I... Do you know, nurse... I’m... in love... Leave me, leave me... I’m in love... FILIPYEVNA: But of course... TATYANA: Go, leave me alone! Give me a pen and some paper, nurse, and move the table up; I’ll soon go to bed. Good night... FILIPYEVNA: Sleep well, Tanya! (She goes out.)

9. The Letter Scene. TATYANA: Let me perish, but first let me summon, in dazzling hope, bliss as yet unknown. Life’s sweetness is mine to taste! I drink the magic potion of desire! I am beset by visions! Everywhere, everywhere I look, I see my fatal tempter! Wherever I look, I see him! (She goes quickly to the writing table and begins to write, then immediately tears it up.) No, that’s all wrong! I’ll begin again! Ah, what’s the matter with me! I’m all on fire! I don’t know how to begin... (She pauses in thought, then begins to write again.) “I write to you — and then? What more is there to say? Now I know, it is within your power to punish me with disdain! But if you nourish one grain of pity for my unhappy lot, you will not abandon me. At first I wished to remain silent; then, believe me, you would never have known my shame — never!” (She puts the letter aside.) O yes, I swore to lock within my breast this avowal of a mad and ardent passion. Alas, I have not the strength to subdue my heart! Come what may, I am prepared! I will confess all! Courage! He shall know all!

(She continues writing.) “Why, oh why did you visit us? Buried in this remote countryside, I should never have known you, nor should I have known this torment. The turbulence of a youthful heart, calmed by time — who knows? — most likely I would have found another, have proved a faithful wife and virtuous mother...” Another! No, not to any other in the world would I have given my heart! It is decreed on high, it is the will of heaven: I am yours! My whole life has been a pledge of this inevitable encounter; I know this: God sent you to me, you are my keeper till the grave! You appeared before me in my dreams; as yet unseen, you were already dear, your wondrous gaze filled me with longing, your voice resounded in my heart — long ago... no, it was no dream! As soon as you arrived, I recognized you, I almost swooned, began to blaze with passion, and to myself I said: ’Tis he! ’Tis he! I know it! I have heard you... Have you not spoken to me in the silence when I visited the poor or sought in prayer some solace for the anguish of my soul? And just this very moment, was it not you, dear vision, that flamed in the limpid darkness, stooped gently at my bedside and with joy and love whispered words of hope? Who are you — my guardian angel or a wily tempter? Put my doubts at rest. Maybe this is all an empty dream, the self-deception of an inexperienced soul, and something quite different is to be...

But so be it! My fate henceforth I entrust to you; in tears before you, your protection I implore, I implore! Imagine: I am all alone here! No one understands me! I can think no more, and must perish in silence! I wait for you, I wait for you! Speak the word to revive my heart’s fondest hopes or shatter this oppressive dream with, alas, the scorn I have deserved! Finished! It’s too frightening to read over — I swoon from shame and fear, but his honour is my guarantee and in that I put my trust! The sun rises. Tatyana opens the window.

10. Scene and Duet. TATYANA: Ah, night is past, everything is awake and the sun is rising. The shepherd is playing his pipe... Everything is peaceful. While I... I...! (Tatyana is lost in thought. Filipyevna enters.) FILIPYEVNA: It’s time, my child! Get up! Why, you’re up already, my pretty one! My little early bird! I was so anxious last night... Well, my child, thank God you’re well! Not a trace of last night’s upset. Your cheeks are red as poppies!

TATYANA: Oh, nurse, be a darling... FILIPYEVNA: Of course, pet — tell me what you want. TATYANA: Don’t think... truly... don’t suspect... but you see... oh, don’t say no! FILIPYEVNA: My dearest, as God’s my witness! TATYANA: Then, send your grandson, on the quiet, with this note to O... to that... to our neighbour, and tell him not to breathe a word, not to mention my name. FILIPYEVNA: To whom, my dear? I’m not as bright as I was! We’ve lots of neighbours round about — do you want me to go through them all? Which one do you mean? Talk sense! TATYANA: How dense you are, nurse! FILIPYEVNA: Dear heart, I’m getting old! I’m old; my wits are dull, Tanya; but in the old days I was bright enough. In the old days, one word from the master... TATYANA: Oh, nurse, nurse, none of that matters! What do I want with your wits? You see, nurse, it’s about a letter... FILIPYEVNA: Well, all right, all right! Don’t be angry, dear heart! You know how slow I am. TATYANA: ...To Onegin! FILIPYEVNA: All right, all right: I understand! TATYANA: To Onegin! Send your grandson with a letter to Onegin, nurse! FILIPYEVNA: Well, well, don’t be angry, dear heart! You know I’m slow!... The nurse takes the letter. Tatyana turns pale. FILIPYEVNA: Gracious, why have you turned pale again? TATYANA: It’s nothing, nurse, really nothing! Go and send your grandson! The nurse leaves. Tatyana sits at the table and sinks into thought once more.

Scene Three 11. Chorus of Servant Girls. A secluded corner of the Larin garden. Servant girls pick berries, singing as they work. SERVANT GIRLS: Pretty maidens, dear companions, come on out to play, girls! Trip merrily, my friends, and sing a song, a favourite song, to lure a handsome lad to join our dance! When the handsome lad is lured, when he approaches us, let’s run away, my friends, pelting him with cherries, with cherries, with berries, with redcurrants! Don’t you come eavesdropping on our favourite songs, don’t you come spying on our girlish play! The servant girls move off into the garden. Tatyana enters running and sinks exhausted onto the bench. TATYANA: He’s here! He’s here, Eugene! Dear God! Dear God, what must he have thought? What will he say? Oh, why did I obey my aching heart alone, and, lacking all self-control, write him that letter! Indeed, my heart now tells me that my fatal tempter will only laugh at me! Oh my God! How miserable I am, how contemptible! (Footsteps are heard, drawing nearer. Tatyana listens.) Footsteps... drawing closer... Yes, it is he, it is he! (Onegin enters.)

12. Scene and Onegin’s Aria. ONEGIN: You wrote to me. Don’t deny it. I have read the avowal of a trusting heart, the outpouring of an innocent love; your candour touched me deeply. It has stirred feelings long since dormant. I won’t commend you for this, but I will repay you with an equally guileless avowal. Hear my confession, then judge me as you will! TATYANA (aside): O God! How humiliating and how painful! ONEGIN: If I wished to pass my life within the confines of the family circle, and a kindly fate had decreed for me the role of husband and father, then most likely I would not choose any other bride than you. But I was not made for wedded bliss — it is foreign to my soul; your perfections are wasted on me, I am quite unworthy of them. Believe me, I give you my word, marriage would be a torment for us. No matter how much I loved you, habit would kill that love. Judge what a thorny bed of roses Hymen would prepare for us — and perhaps to be endured at length! One cannot return to dreams and youth — I cannot renew my soul! I love you with a brother’s love, a brother’s love, or, perhaps, even more tenderly than that! Listen to me without getting angry — more than once will a young girl exchange one passing fancy for another. SERVANT GIRLS (in the distance): Pretty maidens, dear companions! Come on out to play, girls, trip it merrily, my friends. ONEGIN: Learn to control your feelings;... not everyone will understand you as I do. Inexperience leads to disaster! Onegin offers his hand to Tatyana and they walk toward the house.