Dance performance in two acts by the novel of L. Tolstoy to the music by A. Schnittke and other composers
Choreographer - Anželika Cholina.
Stage designer - Marijus Jacovskis.
Costume designer - Juozas Statkevičius.
Soloists
Ana Karenina - Beata Molytė.
Aleksej Karenin - Mantas Vaitiekūnas.
Aleksej Vronskij - Ernest Barcaitis.
Duration - 2 hours 20 min.
A|CH premiere (Lithuania) - 2010 09 18.
Premiere at the State Academic E. Vakhtangov Theatre (Moscow) – 2012.
Story
© Paulius Gasiunas
“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy is one of the greatest novels ever written, known around the world. The 1878 work explores themes which delve deeply into the life of the Russian aristocracy of those times: hypocrisy, jealousy, faith, fidelity, family, marriage, society, progress, desire and passion. These themes encompass much of what it means to be human and are as timeless today as they were 140 years ago.
L. Tolstoy does not moralize, he allows his themes to emerge naturally. Choreographer A. Cholina also does not moralize, there are no good or bad characters in her dance performance. There is no train on the stage, as the main though of the choreographer is that nowadays human can kill other human by his words, rejection and judgment.
Awards
In 2011 choreographer Anželika Cholina was awarded with the highest Lithuanian theatre prize "Golden Stage Cross".
There are dozens of film, television and theatrical adaptations of this famous novel, but none quite like Anželika Cholina Dance Theatre’s. Cholina introduces innovations that are not present in the classic Mariinsky Theatre version, and are unlike the avant-garde German versions. She boldly infuses her narrative with both dance and acting, eschewing grand scenery and dazzling lights in favour of minimal sets and scenery which nevertheless creatively conjure the whole world of 18th-century Russian aristocracy with a mood both profound and penetrating. The exquisite music of Schnittke, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Webber underscore the rich Russian romantic setting, bringing vividly to life the emotions and experiences that are common to humanity.
Abroad
Anželika Cholina’s Anna Karenina caused a sensation when staged in Russia’s most prestigious E. Vakhtangov Theatre. It garnered enthusiastic audience reception everywhere it toured, high praise from industry experts, and as noted above, many awards. Her beautiful ballet vocabulary, perfectly matched with the great Russian choreographic ballet tradition, the soaring romantic music, and innovative style that is unique to Anželika Cholina, all work together to render a production that is faithful to the character and strength of Anna Karenina.
Libretto
The main character is Anna Karenina, a respectable Russian woman, who was forced to marry an older rich man. She does not hate her husband Alexei A. Karenin, but she doesn't feel happiness either. One day while waiting for her brother Prince Stepan A. Oblonsky ("Stiva") in the train station she meets a young count Alexei K. Vronsky. Anna falls in love and cannot, as well as does not want to hide it. For a noble married woman to have a lover in 19th century Russia was acceptable, but to fall in love publically was strictly forbidden. Anna breaks all rules and her life starts to change drastically.
Repertoire
March 5th – Marijampolė
March 25th – Kaunas