Philip Glass and Eugene Onegin at Palais Garnier: Classical Music Highlights

Actor Ralph Fiennes has made his opera directing debut with a new production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin at the Palais Garnier in Paris. The production, which ran from January 26 to February 27, 2026, marked the first time Fiennes has helmed an opera, bringing a cinematic sensibility to the stage of one of the world’s most renowned opera houses.

Fiennes possesses a long-standing connection to the narrative of Eugene Onegin, having previously starred in the title role of the 1999 film Onegin, which was directed by his sister, Martha Fiennes. In discussing the plot of the opera, which is based on the original novel by Alexander Pushkin, Fiennes stated that Eugene Onegin tells a love story that doesn’t work.

The story follows the young man Onegin, who brutally rejects the affections of a shy woman named Tatiana after she sends him a passionate love letter. After giving her a lecture on morality, Onegin finds himself falling for Tatiana years later, only to discover she has become the wife of Prince Gremin. Fiennes noted that the character of the melancholic man, disenchanted with the world is a recurring theme in Russian literature and described this specific condition of the human soul as absolutely timeless.

Production and Creative Team

The production at the Palais Garnier featured a comprehensive creative team to realize Fiennes’ vision. The sets were designed by Michael Levine, while Annemarie Woods provided the costumes. Lighting was handled by Alessandro Carletti, and the choreography was developed by Sophie Laplane.

The musical leadership for the run was shared, with the renowned conductor Semyon Bychkov leading most of the performances. However, specific dates featured other conductors; for example, the performance on February 18, 2026, was led by Case Scaglione, the chief conductor and music director of the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France.

The cast for the production included a mix of established and rising operatic talent:

• Boris Pinkhasovich as Onegin
• Ruzan Mantashyan as Tatiana
• Bogdan Volkov as Lensky
• Marvic Monreal as Olga
• Alexander Tsymbalyuk as Prince Gremin
• Susan Graham as Madame Larina
• Elena Zaremba as Filipievna
• Peter Bronder as Monsieur Triquet
• Amin Ahangaran as Zaretski
• Mikhail Silantev as the Commander

The production was supported by the Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra national de Paris.

Audience Reception and Industry Impact

The involvement of Ralph Fiennes as a director generated significant public interest, leading the production to sell out rapidly. Reports indicate that the buzz surrounding Fiennes’ debut was so strong that individuals were seeking tickets outside the venue even toward the end of the run.

Because Ralph Fiennes is a famous actor, his first ever opera production, at the Palais Garnier no less, created quite a buzz. It sold out in no time, and even towards the end of the run, when I arrived on Wednesday night, there were people begging for tickets outside in the rain.

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This surge in ticket sales suggests that the appointment of high-profile figures from the film and television industry to direct classical works may be an effective strategy for opera houses seeking to attract younger audiences and increase attendance.

Fiennes’ transition to opera direction follows his stated love for ballet, which he developed while filming The White Crow. This production of Eugene Onegin serves as a primary example of the Paris Opera’s ongoing efforts to reinvent the opera experience at the 150-year-old Palais Garnier.