Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is one of the greatest works of world literature. John Neumeier, known for his story ballets based on literary models, was deeply fascinated by Tolstoy’s complex work. Yet, how can such a work be set for the stage? The choreographer created his interpretation in 2017, distilling the narrative down to the essentials and bringing Tolstoy's story from the 19th century into the present day.
To music by Peter Tchaikovsky, Alfred Schnittke, and Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam, John Neumeier’s Anna Karenina presents a modern portrait of society. The title figure stands at the ballet’s heart: a strong woman’s voice that questions typical social norms – something Neumeier had achieved years earlier with his masterpiece Lady of the Camellias in 1978.
John Neumeier is an institution. After his choreographic beginnings at the Stuttgart Ballet, he directed the Hamburg Ballet for more than 50 years. He has made a name for himself as an exceptional choreographer, especially for his full-length works, whether narrative or symphonic. With Anna Karenina, Neumeier returns to Stuttgart to present Tolstoy’s complex work without condemning any one character for her desires or longings.
To music by Peter Tchaikovsky, Alfred Schnittke, and Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam, John Neumeier’s Anna Karenina presents a modern portrait of society. The title figure stands at the ballet’s heart: a strong woman’s voice that questions typical social norms – something Neumeier had achieved years earlier with his masterpiece Lady of the Camellias in 1978.
John Neumeier is an institution. After his choreographic beginnings at the Stuttgart Ballet, he directed the Hamburg Ballet for more than 50 years. He has made a name for himself as an exceptional choreographer, especially for his full-length works, whether narrative or symphonic. With Anna Karenina, Neumeier returns to Stuttgart to present Tolstoy’s complex work without condemning any one character for her desires or longings.
Synopsis
Act I
While Alexei Karenin holds a political rally for his re-election in St. Petersburg, Count Alexei Vronsky trains in Moscow with his regiment for a Lacrosse match. Anna Karenina gives her husband support – together with her son Seryozha.
At home, after the rally, Anna is overcome by a feeling of solitude.
Her brother Stiva telephones from Moscow, asking her to intervene in a serious marriage complication. Dolly, his wife, discovered him with Miss Hull, the children’s governess. Anna travels to Moscow, where she meets Alexei Vronsky, an exhilarating encounter. However, a worker’s terrible accident seems a bad omen to her. Dolly and Stiva quarrel. Anna comforts Dolly and the children.
In the country, the aristocratic landowner Levin dreams of Kitty – Dolly’s sister.
In Moscow, Kitty, with her young friends, celebrates her engagement to Count Vronsky. Anna accompanies Dolly and Stiva to the party and again encounters Count Vronsky. Flirtation.
Anna plays with her son Seryozha.
Her thoughts of Vronsky become passionate.
Alexei Karenin, Anna and Seryozha attend Count Vronsky’s Lacrosse match. Before the game, Anna tells Vronsky that she is pregnant. Distracted during the game, he is injured. Anna’s desperate reaction to the accident makes their relationship clear.
Kitty has had a nervous breakdown. Levin visits her in the sanatorium.
Stiva continues his indiscretions – now with dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre.
Dolly is determined to abandon her family, but her children change her mind.
Anna gives birth to Vronsky’s child – who is also called Anna.
Near death, Anna attempts to reconcile Vronsky with her husband. Kitty marries Levin. Anna abandons her family to be with Count Vronsky. Karenin is left alone with the child Anna.
At home, after the rally, Anna is overcome by a feeling of solitude.
Her brother Stiva telephones from Moscow, asking her to intervene in a serious marriage complication. Dolly, his wife, discovered him with Miss Hull, the children’s governess. Anna travels to Moscow, where she meets Alexei Vronsky, an exhilarating encounter. However, a worker’s terrible accident seems a bad omen to her. Dolly and Stiva quarrel. Anna comforts Dolly and the children.
In the country, the aristocratic landowner Levin dreams of Kitty – Dolly’s sister.
In Moscow, Kitty, with her young friends, celebrates her engagement to Count Vronsky. Anna accompanies Dolly and Stiva to the party and again encounters Count Vronsky. Flirtation.
Anna plays with her son Seryozha.
Her thoughts of Vronsky become passionate.
Alexei Karenin, Anna and Seryozha attend Count Vronsky’s Lacrosse match. Before the game, Anna tells Vronsky that she is pregnant. Distracted during the game, he is injured. Anna’s desperate reaction to the accident makes their relationship clear.
Kitty has had a nervous breakdown. Levin visits her in the sanatorium.
Stiva continues his indiscretions – now with dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre.
Dolly is determined to abandon her family, but her children change her mind.
Anna gives birth to Vronsky’s child – who is also called Anna.
Near death, Anna attempts to reconcile Vronsky with her husband. Kitty marries Levin. Anna abandons her family to be with Count Vronsky. Karenin is left alone with the child Anna.
Act II
Happy in Italy with Count Vronsky, thoughts of her son Seryozha haunt Anna. A recurring dream of the ominous worker killed during their first encounter trouble both Vronsky and Anna. A shadow seems to fall over their relationship.
Anna returns to St. Petersburg for Seryozha’s birthday.
Karenin is comforted by Lidia Ivanovna.
Levin and Kitty enjoy a morning in the country.
The relationship between Anna and Vronsky continues to deteriorate. Frustrated by her isolation, Anna decides to visit the opera for a performance of Eugene Onegin. She is insulted by Moscow society and observes Count Vronsky with the young princess Sorokina.Only Dolly supports Anna.
Doubting Vronsky’s complete and unconditional love, Anna, in desperation, takes her own life.
Seryozha, Vronsky, Karenin and Levin mourn her death. In Moscow, in St. Petersburg, in the country – and in the theatre – life goes on.
Anna returns to St. Petersburg for Seryozha’s birthday.
Karenin is comforted by Lidia Ivanovna.
Levin and Kitty enjoy a morning in the country.
The relationship between Anna and Vronsky continues to deteriorate. Frustrated by her isolation, Anna decides to visit the opera for a performance of Eugene Onegin. She is insulted by Moscow society and observes Count Vronsky with the young princess Sorokina.Only Dolly supports Anna.
Doubting Vronsky’s complete and unconditional love, Anna, in desperation, takes her own life.
Seryozha, Vronsky, Karenin and Levin mourn her death. In Moscow, in St. Petersburg, in the country – and in the theatre – life goes on.
