Ballet in two act's on Lev Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina and selected works of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's music. Original libretto by Teet Kask.
Leght: 90min. Premier: 20th November 2015, Teatro di Milano, Milano, Italy
Libretto, Stage Director and Choreogrpaher: Teet Kask Set Designer: Marco Pesta Costume Designer: Federico Veratti Visuals: Marco Triaca
Lev Tolstoy's message to reader, audience and to performers. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." – Romans 12:19
With developing the project attempt was/is not to recreate Tolstoy's novel on stage as such (Tolstoy is one of the greatest master with words and his novel by itself is complete, but using unique dance art to express, what Tolstoy kept between lines, this is where I see current interest!) but rather, so to speak, go to under Anna Karenina's skin, to discover her from perspective of contemporary human being. Focus is on Anna Karenina as character, who comes in to conflict, with her needs as woman and with expectation of society. Centuries old conflict between individual and inertly changing social expectancy. Spectators will follow woman, who is shaped by same social rules against, what she rebels. Anna believes that only way to protect her discovered love, (with out what she looses her identity) with dignity is to take her life. Anna in her desperation, can't continue as living dead, she use love as way out of misery. On end of both ways waits her death. Anna was emotionally dead in relation with Karenin - where was no love and with Vronsky she experienced love what was not accepted by society. Anna Karenina was not able to tolerate ignorance from society. Not compromising her love and protesting again society she takes her life.
Music for particular version of Anna Karenina is collage from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's works. Tchaikovsky leaved same time, when Tolstoy worked on Anna Karenina. Tchaikovsky's works are filled with the fragrances and pulsations of its time, what will give authenticity, depth, colour and uniqueness to interpretation of ballet version of Tolstoy's novel. Romantic works of Tchaikovsky, will contrast ideally with tragic story of Anna's character, who trough novel do not reaching to point, where she could enjoy peacefully romantic love.
Teet Kask's “Anna Karenina” is a fresh take on Leo Tolstoy's eponymous literary masterpiece set to Pyotr Tchaikovsky's music was comissioned by Teatro di Milano, Italy. The piece was created specifically for the ballet company of Teatro di Milano. The production combines classical and contemporary ballet and highlights themes that have not been featured in previous interpretations of Tolstoy's story.
The Artistic Director of Balletto di Milano, Carlo Pesta, himself a former principal soloist at La Scala, is extremely pleased with the result. “One could say that the passionate expressiveness of Italians, the rational thinking of Estonians, and the emotional character of Russian music, have resulted in a production that will move people regardless of their cultural background,” commented Pesta. “It is the first time that an Estonian choreographer has staged an original piece for an Italian ballet company and I believe that creative collaboration is the best way to strengthen cultural ties between different countries.”
The director of “Anna Karenina”, Teet Kask, is an outstanding Estonian choreographer and stage director, originally trained as a classical ballet dancer, with a richly varied portfolio of numerous international projects. Kask has an MA in choreography from the London City University/Trinity Laban, and likes to synthesize classical and contemporary dance in his choreographic works. Talking about his latest project, Kask stressed that his aim was not to simply stage Tolstoy's great literary work, but rather to focus on its timeless themes through a contemporary perspective and the language of dance. “This approach allowed me to reach spheres that were hidden between the lines,” Kask explained. In bringing “Anna Karenina” to the stage, Kask was primarily interested in the deep resonance emanating from the existential themes posed by Tolstoy. Kask believes that this is not simply a story about a woman's tragic love affair and her suffering; rather he sees it as a story about the individuality of a person's character, one’s desire to fulfil their personal needs and not be shunned by society as a result.
“We should never rush to judge other people, leave that to a higher power instead. We should always take the time to understand why people do things a certain way,” says Kask trying to encapsulate the moral of the story that was written almost 140 years ago.
The two-part ballet is set to Pyotr Tchaikovsky«s music from different periods and includes such pieces as “Elgie”, “Sernade melancolique”, and “Six Romances”. “It was clear from the start that Tchaikovsky's music would suit this piece perfectly, because the novelist and the composer were contemporaries in 19th century Russia,” explained Kask, who considers music an essential guide in his creative process.
“It has been a demanding process, especially in terms on responsibility, which deepened our focus with regard to details, in order to find the perfect movements for representing specific thoughts and emotions. This creative journey has been extremely substantial, challenging, instructive and joyous,” shares Kask.
Balletto di Milano's “Anna Karenina” libretto and choreography by Teet Kask, art direction by Marco Pesta, costumes by Federico Veratti and lighting design by Lorenzo Pagella. Balleto di Milano is a dance company that boasts a conceptual repertoire that is unique not only in Italy, but also in Europe. The company comprises a group of meticulously selected dancers, who perform pieces that are created exclusively for Balletto di Milano. The ballet company operates alongside a privately funded theatre – a rare phenomenon in the world of ballet. https://vimeo.com/182288251
CONTACT Teet Kask E-mail: [email protected] Skype: teet2345 WeChat: kaskproject Mob: +372 53421032 facebook.com/teet.kask.official www.teetkask.com