Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is one of the masterworks of 19th century literature; a parable on the struggle for personal freedom against the conventions of a hostile society, played out in a tragic love-story. With a libretto by the distinguished director Colin Graham (veteran opera producer and director who died 3 weeks before this production was originally staged in 2007),American composer David Carlson's opera vividly captures the drama and message of the original work, with commanding performances from members of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. It was commissioned by Florida Grand Opera to celebrate the opening of the Ziff Opera House in Miami, and co-produced by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Michigan Opera Theatre.

The New York Times called David Carlson's music "romantic and luxuriantly textured, with soaring vocal writing which retains interest with an underlying tension…."

"A great American opera has finally been written," Opera Today.