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Renowned British actor Ralph Fiennes is stepping into the world of opera direction with a production of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin at the Paris Opera next season. The Oscar-nominated star, most recently seen in Conclave, will bring his vision to the classic Russian work at the Palais Garnier from January 26 to February 27, 2026.
The Paris Opera announced the production will feature Boris Pinkhasovich as the titular Onegin, Ruzan Mantashyan as Tatiana, Bogdan Volkov as Lensky, and Susan Graham as Madame Larina. Semyon Bychkov will conduct most performances, with Michael Levine designing the sets and Annemarie Woods handling costumes.
Fiennes, 62, has long been drawn to Eugene Onegin. He played the title role in the 1999 film adaptation, directed by his sister, Martha Fiennes. Now, he is bringing his theatrical and cinematic experience to the opera stage, an evolution that aligns with his fascination with Russian culture and deep appreciation for the emotional intensity of Tchaikovsky’s music. Eugene Onegin, first serialized between 1825 and 1832, tells the tragic story of a bored St. Petersburg socialite who rejects true love, leading to heartbreak and regret.
Beyond Fiennes’ production, the Paris Opera’s 2025–26 season boasts an array of premieres and revivals. Among the new productions are Verdi’s Aida, Wagner’s Die Walküre and Siegfried, and Antonia Bembo’s Ercole amante. Claus Guth’s bold interpretation of Puccini’s La Bohème, set in a spaceship and on a distant planet, will return, along with John Adams’ Nixon in China, featuring renowned singers Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson.
Fiennes, a three-time Academy Award nominee and a Tony Award winner for Hamlet, has already directed several films, including the 2018 biopic The White Crow about ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev. His move into opera is another testament to his versatility and passion for storytelling.
For opera lovers and Fiennes fans alike, this production of Eugene Onegin promises to be a highlight of the Paris Opera season, merging the actor-director’s dramatic sensibilities with one of the most beloved works in the repertoire.