Step into the grandeur of the 18th-century Stanislavsky Theater, just 750 meters (9-minute walk) from the Bolshoi, for the premiere of Maxim Sevagin’s Anna Karenina, set to Ilya Demutsky’s haunting music. Talented dancers, trained at the very same Russian academies as Bolshoi stars, bring Tolstoy’s story to life. Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite choreography, emotion, and drama in an intimate, historic setting.

The Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre presents the main ballet premiere of its 107th season — the production Anna Karenina, set to music by Ilya Demutsky and staged by Maxim Sevagin.

At the heart of the performance is not only the tragic story of Anna, but also the storyline of Levin, who journeys from inner crisis to the attainment of spiritual peace. The contrast between these two fates—the destructive passion of Anna and Levin’s creative search—becomes the central thematic focus of this new stage adaptation.

The choreography of the production is based on classical ballet vocabulary, with nearly all female roles performed en pointe. Each character is given a unique physical expression, reflecting their personality and the inner movement of their role. Students from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography will also participate, performing the roles of Dolly’s children and Anna’s son, Seryozha.

Maxim Sevagin is working on the scenario and libretto in collaboration with playwright Andrey Zolotarev. Their goal is to preserve the scale and depth of Tolstoy’s novel while finding a clear and expressive theatrical form.

The score, composed by Ilya Demutsky, has been adapted collaboratively with the choreographer. An important part of the musical texture includes vocal arias performed by a soloist from the theatre’s opera company, giving the action special emotional resonance. The musical direction of the premiere is conducted by Timur Zangiev.

The visual concept of the production is created by set designer Vladimir Arefyev, costume designer Irina Serova, and lighting designer Oleg Strashkin. The costumes are developed in collaboration with the fashion house EDEM Couture.