The atmosphere in the Kennedy Center was electric, thick with anticipation for a moment 35 years in the making.
The Stuttgart Ballet has returned to the nation’s capital, bringing with them the timeless tragedy and enduring elegance of John Cranko’s Onegin. What unfolded on stage was a breathtaking display of precision and passion, a definitive highlight of the DC arts calendar.
This production is a testament to the Stuttgart legacy, guided today by Artistic Director Tamas Detrich. The three-act ballet, which runs approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes with two 20-minute intermissions, is an elegant, technically demanding masterwork. Every movement felt utterly effortless, embodying the kind of supreme control and dramatic depth rarely achieved.
The Story of Mistimed Love and Culture Clash
John Cranko’s Onegin is a poignant narrative centered on the collision of two worlds: the naive country life and the cynical urban elite.
At its heart is Tatiana, a young, bookish country girl, who is instantly charmed by the arrival of the worldly, yet utterly bored, Eugene Onegin. Tatiana falls hopelessly in love and writes him a passionate letter, only for the cold Onegin to tear it up in her face, rejecting her deeply. His reckless indifference escalates when he flirts with her younger sister, Olga, enraging Olga’s fiancé, Lensky. This mischief leads to a tragic duel, where Onegin kills his friend Lensky.
Years later, a world-weary and exhausted Onegin returns and is devastated to see Tatiana, now a sophisticated Princess. He writes his own desperate letter of love, but when they meet in person, Tatiana returns the exact same harsh treatment he once gave her. Ultimately, the ballet is a potent exploration of two people who love each other at the wrong time, and the enduring tragedy of unattainable love.
A Dazzling Array of Dancers and Design
The power of Onegin lies in its principals, and for the performance we attended, the chemistry and dramatic commitment of the lead dancers were transcendent. The emotional trajectory of Tatyana was captured brilliantly by Elisa Badenes, whose transformation from a shy country girl to a sophisticated Princess was mesmerizing. Opposite her, Friedemann Vogel imbued the titular role of the disillusioned dandy with tragic complexity. Their final, harrowing pas de deux was devastating, a climax of exquisite, agonizing restraint.
The Stuttgart engagement features several stellar pairings, including performances by Rocío Alemán and David Moore in the lead roles, and a highly anticipated matinee featuring Anna Osadcenko and Henrik Erikson (in his role debut as Onegin). Regardless of the night, the supporting cast maintained a uniformly high standard of dramatic and technical excellence.
Visually and aurally, the production is a feast. The multi-layered, yet understated, set and costume design by Jürgen Rose provides the perfect 19th-century Russian backdrop, managed by production director Wolfgang Heinz.
The music, arranged by Kurt-Heinz Stolze after P.I. Tchaikovsky, is the emotional engine of the narrative, brought to vivid life by the Washington National Opera Orchestra under the precise baton of conductor Robert Spano. The synergy between the music, the story, and the dancers’ emotional commitment was simply perfect.
“The Stuttgart Ballet’s return with Onegin is an unmistakable artistic triumph—an evening of elegant precision, with its profound focus on the contrast between simple country devotion and the delayed regret of the worldly heart, remains as resonant today as it first premiered. We are proud to have witnessed the return of this world-class company to the halls of the Kennedy Center.“
How to See Onegin at the Kennedy Center
Don’t miss your chance to see this historic engagement. The Stuttgart Ballet performs Onegin at the Kennedy Center Opera House from October 8–12, 2025. Tickets for this world-class production are currently available starting around $60. Visit the Kennedy Center’s website today to secure your seats. The Stuttgart Ballet: Onegin | Kennedy Center
Don’t Miss What’s Next at the Kennedy Center
The Washington arts scene remains vibrant, and the Kennedy Center is host to an astonishing array of upcoming performances in the 2025-2026 season. Now that the Stuttgart Ballet has set the bar so high, be sure to secure your tickets for other spectacular shows, including:
Jazz & Contemporary: Check out the KC Speakeasy series and the Andrew Martinez performance on the Millennium Stage.
Opera: The Washington National Opera presents monumental works like Aida and The Marriage of Figaro, alongside the family-friendly production of The Little Prince. You can also support the company at the WNO Bravo Bash.
Symphony: The National Symphony Orchestra features conductors and soloists in concerts such as Eschenbach & Faust and Bignamini & Grimaud. Don’t miss their seasonal staples, the Holiday with Melinda Doolittle and Handel’s Messiah.
Vocal & Choral: Prepare for the holidays with Candlelight Christmas and Choral Arts Christmas: O Holy Night Divine.
Theater & Dance: Catch the Shamrock Tenors and the return of a holiday classic with the Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker.
Don’t miss out on future performances!
