A handsome visitor from the big city sends a young girl’s heart and soul into high gear.

Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program shares that timeless story of Tchaikovsky’s popular opera on the San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier stage, Friday, at 7:30 p.m.

“Tatyana’s Letter: Lyrical Scenes from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Eugene Onegin’” is an intimate, passionate performance sung by artists who are the age of the characters they are portraying, all set to achingly beautiful music. The opera is based on one of Russia’s most famous stories written by Alexander Pushkin.

The Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program helps emerging singers further their opera careers by providing intense training, coaching and performance opportunities. Many in the program move on to work with opera organizations throughout the world.

Tatyana is a young girl who comes from a wealthy family. She is attracted to Eugene Onegin, a friend of her sister Olga’s fiance. Onegin is social and unambitious and, when he receives a love letter from Tatyana, he visits her to say he is not really suited to marriage.

Tatyana later marries Prince Gremin. At a party, the prince sings of his happiness with Tatyana and introduces her to Onegin, not knowing of her past love for him. Onegin, in turn, falls in love with Tatyana. She says she loves him but that she wants to be faithful to her husband. Onegin is left in despair.

The evening’s business sponsor is Spring Street Dentistry. The event was also made possible through the generosity of underwriters and islanders David Ralston and Don Pollard.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for student reserved. Friday Harbor High School students can attend the event at no charge by showing their student I.D. at the door.

The theater box office is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one hour before any performance. Call 378-3210, or buy online at www.sjctheatre.org.