In 2004, Oprah Winfrey helped make Count Leo Tolstoy one of the hottest names in the publishing world when she championed a new translation (by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky) of his 130-year old novel Anna Karenina, sending it to the top of The New York Times bestseller list.

Florida Grand Opera has commissioned a new opera based on Anna Karenina, one of the most compelling love stories in all of literature, from American composer David Carlson. Within the constraints of Russian society in the 19th century, Anna tries to follow her heart, but she, along with everyone she loves, is overwhelmed by the terrible choices she is forced to make and their bitter consequences. Her tragic descent comes to a famously shattering conclusion. This romantic score comes on the heels of his previous operas, The Midnight Angel and Dreamkeepers, which have received wide critical acclaim.

The libretto is by famed stage director Colin Graham, and Florida Grand Opera is pleased to welcome back Robert Gierlach (Don Giovanni 2004) and soprano Kelly Kaduce (La boheme 2003, Don Giovanni 2004).