After John Cranko's death, John Neumeier continued the tradition of full-length ballets based on great works of literature at the Stuttgart Ballet. In 1978, he created The Lady of the Camellias, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas the Younger, for the company, bequeathing it one of the most popular works in its repertory.
As in the novel by Dumas, the three-act ballet tells the story of the courtesan Marguerite Gautier who gives herself over to a life of lovers, luxury and entertainment. Only her health casts a shadow over her hectic life. Unexpectedly, she finds true love with the young Armand Duval and gives up her dissolute lifestyle for him. But her past dooms their relationship. Knowing that she would never be accepted in his circles and not wanting to tarnish Armand's reputation, she leaves him and dies lonely and impoverished.

Neumeier poetically interweaves the sad present with Armand's memories of his happy moments with Marguerite. On stage, a drama of longing and renunciation, absolute devotion and devastating loss unfolds to Frédéric Chopin's evocative piano compositions. Jürgen Rose created the sets and costumes in complete harmony with Neumeier's refined dramaturgy: a feast for the eyes with magnificent ball gowns and stately boudoirs.