Eugene Oneginis an opera in 3 acts by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It is a well-known example of lyric opera, to which Tchaikovsky added music of a dramatic nature. The story concerns a selfish hero who lives to regret his rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend. The Polonaise is an often-performed excerpt from the opera. This LudwigMasters publication was edited by award-winning composer William Ryden.