ACT I
With her devoted servant Filippyevna, the widowed Madame Larina sits in the garden of her country estate. Her daughters, Olga and Tatiana, sing a love song that reminds the older women of days gone by. Peasants coming from the fields bring freshly cut hay and celebrate the completion of the harvest with song and dance. Olga taunts Tatiana for failing to enjoy the festivities. Pale and shy, Tatiana remains pensive, wrapped in the fantasy of her beloved novels. As the peasants leave, the poet Lensky, Olga's suitor, and his worldly friend Eugene Onegin arrive. The four young people mingle, awkwardly at first; then Lensky pours forth his love to Olga. Onegin, strolling with Tatiana, asks if she does not tire of her country life. Visibly upset by the handsome stranger, the girl answers with difficulty. As night falls, the two couples go in for dinner.
That night in her bedroom, Tatiana persuades Filippyevna to speak of her first love. Filippyevna sees that the girl's mind is wandering and asks if she is ill. Tatiana declares she is in love and begs to be left alone. Resolved to reveal her passion to Onegin, Tatiana sits up the entire night and writes a letter to him, full of fear and longing. She closes by pleading for his mercy and understanding. When day breaks, Filippyevna’s grandson delivers the letter.
As they work to pass the time, a group of women gathered in Madame Larina's garden sing about flirting with boys. When they leave, Tatiana hurries in, followed by Onegin, who asks that she hear him out. He admits he was touched by her letter but adds he would tire quickly of marriage. Though she has all the virtues he might wish in a wife, the most he can offer is a brother's love. He advises more emotional control, lest another man fail to respect her innocence. Crushed, Tatiana rushes away.
ACT II
Some months later in Madame Larina's house, a party is under way on Tatiana's name day. As couples glide across the floor, the guests watch and gossip. Onegin dances with Tatiana but clearly is bored with the country people and their provincial sensibilities. To get back at Lensky for dragging him there, Onegin dances with Olga, who is attracted to him. Onegin's game is interrupted by Triquet, an elderly French tutor, who serenades Tatiana with a song he has written in her honor. The dancing resumes, but Lensky jealously confronts Onegin, and the merrymaking stops. Madame Larina implores them not to quarrel; Lensky is remorseful but cannot contain his rage at Onegin, who accepts his challenge to a duel at dawn.
Lensky and his second, Zaretsky, await Onegin by the mill stream. Reflecting on the folly of his brief life, and saddened by its now unalterable course, the young poet imagines his beloved Olga visiting his grave. Onegin arrives late, with his coachman Guillot as his second. The two men, standing apart without looking at one another, admit privately that they have acted rashly – that they would rather laugh together than fight – but pride and impulsiveness prevail. The duel is fought and Lensky is fatally shot. Onegin is devastated.
ACT III
Some time later, in a hall of a St. Petersburg palace, a magnificent ball is in progress. Onegin has traveled widely, seeking to alleviate his boredom and give his life meaning, but says his search has led him tonight to a monotonous social event. Suddenly he recognizes Tatiana across the room, but she is no longer the girl he knew: sumptuously gowned, she walks with poise and dignity. Questioning his cousin, Prince Gremin, he learns that Tatiana is now Gremin's wife. The older man tells of his marriage two years earlier and describes Tatiana as his life's salvation. When Gremin introduces Onegin, Tatiana maintains her composure, excusing herself after a few polite words. Captivated, Onegin dashes from the palace.
In the Gremins' townhouse, Tatiana agrees to see Onegin, having received an impassioned letter from him. When he falls at her feet, she remains controlled. Now that she has a rich and noble husband, she asks, does he desire her position or her shame? She recalls the days when they might have been happy; now he can bring her only grief. As Onegin's pleas grow more ardent, Tatiana prays for courage. Suddenly finding strength, she rushes out, leaving behind the distraught Onegin.
-- freely adapted from Opera News