COLUMBUS, Ohio — Opera Columbus is teaming up with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra to bring the classic Tchaikovsky opera "Eugene Onegin" to central Ohio for the first time.
"'Eugene Onegin' is a beautiful love story; epic in all things Russian," explained Julia Noulin-Mérat, general director and CEO of Opera Columbus.
The story is about two former lovers reuniting after years apart.
"[It's] pretty amazing to think that we're premiering such a staple work," said Noulin-Mérat, "but it wouldn't be possible without collaborating with the symphony and CAPA. So, we're really excited to present it."
This production originated with Opera Omaha and, in addition to running Opera Cholumbus, Noulin-Mérat also served as the set designer for this production. She found herself really drawn to the vivid imagery that the stage director had provided.
"We really wanted to make it high-impact but also, because it is a memory opera, it feels like all of these elements are floating onstage which is truly beautiful," Noulin-Mérat said. "When you look at the production, it's like really beautiful, intense, highly-dramatic lighting [and] very rich costumes."
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra isn't the only local arts group that Opera Columbus worked with on the production.
The wardrobe needs for the cast were so extensive that Opera Columbus collaborated with BalletMet, The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio and Columbus Fashion Week to put together nearly 150 separate looks for the 40 cast members. At the tip of that needle was costume designer Neil Fortin.
"For me, telling the story is paramount," said Fortin. "How can we tell the story through clothes? The singers tell it through their voice; our musicians tell it through instruments; for me, it's all about how that story comes across in what people are wearing."
Part of that story involved updating the setting from the tale's typical mid-Victorian time period to a mid-19th century aesthetic.
"It really, kind of, resonates with the story to a modern audience," said Fortin. "They, at least, can see themselves kind of within this story a little bit more with this modern take on it."
Originally from Boston, Fortin has worked on productions around the country. Third venture with Opera Columbus and Fortin has enjoyed being part of the growth that Opera Columbus has experienced in that time.
"I love coming to work here because of the family nature of what they've created as a company is really great," said Fortin. "You feel supported; as an artist I think that's really important. You feel taken care of personally and work-wise. I think they're producing really exciting work. The amount of supportive, creative people that are in Columbus - not just within theater or opera - is really cool."
Opera Columbus and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's production of "Eugene Onegin" runs for only two shows March 1-2 at the Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus. For links to showtimes and ticket information, just visit https://www.operacolumbus.org/.