© Stuttgart Ballet Stuttgart 'Onegin' reviews 'Onegin' reviews Kang in Stuttgart reviews Barankiewicz in reviews recent Stuttgart reviews more Natasha Rogai reviews Discuss this review (Open for at least 6 months) A version of this review previously appeared in the South China Morning Post

Onegin encapsulates Cranko’s genius for theatre, story-telling and creating believable characters in dance. It also contains much of his finest choreography, notably two spectacular pas de deux for Tatiana and Onegin.

Given that Stuttgart is the ballet's original home and Artistic Director Reid Anderson was himself a celebrated Onegin, I must admit to a slight disappointment compared to other Onegins I have seen, including the Royal Ballet's current production (I was lucky enough to catch a magnificent performance with Galeazzi and Makhateli in London last April which overshadowed this one).

After a slow opening scene, the dream scene pas de deux went well and production came to life with a well acted party scene in Act 2 and built to the requisite dramatic climax in Act 3. In Act 1 the principals looked a little under-rehearsed and the corps de ballet did not get the feel of the beautiful Russian dances while Some key dramatic moments were taken so fast they lost their full impact - when Tatiana and Olga try to stop Lensky from fighting the duel, for instance. However, overall this was a good performance of a major work and the Hong Kong audience new to the ballet gave it a rapturous reception.

Filip Barankiewicz as Onegin
© Stuttgart Ballet

As Tatiana, Sue Jin Kang danced with impressive speed and abandon in the pas de deux and was dramatically at her most convincing in Act 3. Filip Barankiewicz made a handsome, sneering Onegin and both his solos (particularly the fast pirouettes) and partnering were excellent, but he could not overcome the challenge of making this most annoying of anti-hero’s actions convincing. Elizabeth Mason was a delightful Olga, with exceptional lightness and lovely arms. Alexander Zaitsev as Lensky was outstanding in his moving slow solo before the duel.

There was a passionate account of the score by the HK Philharmonic under James Tuggle.