Ralph Fiennes, the acclaimed British actor known for his role in “Conclave,” is set to direct his first opera production at the prestigious Palais Garnier in Paris next season. According to the Paris Opera, Fiennes will take on Tchaikovsky’s timeless opera “Eugene Onegin,” which is planned to run from January 26 to February 27. The main cast includes Boris Pinkhasovich as Onegin, Ruzan Mantashyan as Tatiana, Bogdan Volkov as Lensky, and Susan Graham as Madame Larina.

Fiennes, 62, has an interesting connection to “Eugene Onegin” having starred in the 1999 film adaptation of the same name, which was based on the original novel by Alexander Pushkin and directed by his sister, Martha Fiennes. The film also featured Liv Tyler.

“Eugene Onegin” narrates the tale of a jaded aristocrat named Onegin who inherits his uncle’s estate and encounters the tragic love story unfolding with Onegin, a neighboring poet, Lensky, and a widow with her two daughters. The story is characterized by themes of jealousy, duels, and unrequited love.

Semyon Bychkov will conduct most of the performances, with sets designed by Michael Levine and costumes by Annemarie Woods. The upcoming 2025-2026 season at Paris Opera will also feature new productions of Verdi’s “Aida,” Wagner’s “Die Walküre” and “Siegfried,” and Antonia Bembo’s “Ercole amante.”

Additionally, the season will include the revival of Claus Guth’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème,” which will be creatively relocated to outer space and a planetary surface. There will also be a revival production of John Adams’ “Nixon in China,” featuring acclaimed artists Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson.

Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/04/03/ralph-fiennes-to-make-opera-directing-debut-in-paris-with-adaptation-of-russian-classic