Ralph Fiennes to make opera directing debut in Paris with adaptation of Russian classic

Oscar-nominated British actor Ralph Fiennes, most recently seen in Conclave, will make his opera directing debut in Paris next season with Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.”

The Paris Opera said the production will run from 26 January to 27 February at the Palais Garnier and will star Boris Pinkhasovich in the title role, Ruzan Mantashyan as Tatiana, Bogdan Volkov as Lensky and Susan Graham as Madame Larina.

Fiennes, 62, starred in the title role of the 1999 movie Onegin, based on the same Alexander Pushkin novel as the opera. The sinema co-starred Liv Tyler and was directed by his sister Martha Fiennes. 

“Eugene Onegin”, first published in serial form between 1825 and 1832, and follows a bored St. Petersburg socialite named Onegin, who inherits his uncle’s estate in the country. There, he meets a neighbouring landowner and aspiring poet, Lensky, and a widowed mother and her two daughters. A tale of jealousy, duels and unrequited love ensues.

Semyon Bychkov will conduct most of the performances. Michael Levine designs the sets and Annemarie Woods the costumes.

The Paris Opera 2025-26 season will have new productions of Verdi’s “Aida,” Wagner’s “Die Walküre and ”Siegfried” and Antonia Bembo’s “Ercole amante.”

Revivals include Claus Guth’s staging of Puccini’s “La Bohème”, moved to a spaceship and planet surface, and John Adams’ “Nixon in China” with Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson.