Tatiana Urzhumtseva (front), director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing Photo: Courtesy of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing

In anticipation of the forthcoming 2024-2025 China-Russia Cultural Year, a thematic sharing session of the musical Anna Karenina, derived from Lev Tolstoy's eponymous masterpiece, was held on December 28, 2023 within the refined confines of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing. This event was enthusiastically praised by discerning Chinese audiences.

The Russian rendition of this musical epic intricately weaves the tale of Anna Karenina, a noblewoman navigating the complexities of 19th-century Russian high society. Her poignant narrative unfolds against the backdrop of an illicit liaison with the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky, entwined with the inexorable clash between social expectations, moral constraints, and the relentless pull of personal desire, culminating in a tragically poetic denouement.

The musical Anna Karenina stands as one of the earliest instances of Russian musicals gracefully transposed into the Chinese cultural milieu. To date, this spectacular production has graced the stages of approximately 30 major cities across China.

The sharing session, further enriched by the presence of eminent Russian artists, unfolded with a showcase of captivating scenes from this iconic musical. The actors, showcasing their consummate artistry, delivered enchanting renditions of songs spanning diverse genres, leaving the assembled guests enraptured by their performance. The resonant lyricism of the musical's score, the ethereal tones that infused the atmosphere, and the unparalleled artistry displayed by the performers garnered resounding applause from the audience.