Lensky, feels betrayed by what he regards as Onegin’s flirtation with Olga. Scene 1-At Tatyana’s birthday ball, Onegin dances with her but is bored, and then, hearing the guests’ gossip about his relationship to Tatyana, dances with Olga in order to provoke Lensky. But he adds that he has no intention of marrying, could not conceivably be her lover, and can offer no more than brotherly affection. When he arrives, he acknowledges receiving her letter and explains kindly but rather patronizingly that he was touched by it and admired its candor. Tatyana enters in some confusion at the prospect of a visit by Onegin. Scene 3-Peasants sing as they work in the Larin’s garden. Tatyana gives her the letter to deliver to Onegin. Dawn is breaking as Tatyana finishes her letter, and Filipyevna is startled to find her awake and dressed. When the nurse leaves, Tatyana pours out her feelings in a passionate letter to Onegin, declaring eternal love for him. The restless Tatyana begs for stories of Filipyevna’s youth, but then confesses that she has fallen in love. Scene 2-Filipyevna is helping her young mistress prepare for bed. Onegin is condescending about country life, but has deeply impressed Tatyana, as her old nurse observes.

Tatyana, for her part, sees Onegin as the man of her dreams. Onegin is surprised that Lensky should have chosen the superficial Olga for a wife and turns his attention to the more enigmatic Tatyana. Olga’s fiancé, Lensky, arrives with Onegin, a friend from St. Tatyana continues reading a romantic novel, and when her mother gently exhorts her to remember there are no heroes in real life, she attributes her sad looks to the events of the story. Peasants arrive with a decorated sheaf, and their singing of a folk tune sends Tatyana’s thoughts far away, but Olga asserts it merely makes her want to dance. Inside the house, the Larin daughters, Tatyana and Olga, are singing a ballad. Scene 1-Madame Larina and the old nurse Filipyevna are making fruit preserves.

Houston grand opera eugene onegin