Theatre and music combine in an ingenious new staging of the Kreutzer Sonatas.

There are three great works of art called ‘Kreutzer Sonata’: the original, Beethoven’s sonata; Tolstoy’s psychological drama, in which the Beethoven is a driving force; and Janácček’s quartet, a violent reaction against Tolstoy’s tale.

Since its first performance, the Kreutzer Sonata has indicated passion, intrigue, and sexual jealousy. Beethoven came to blows with the first violinist to perform it over a mutual love interest. Janáček wrote under the influence of an ambiguous extra-marital relationship. Tolstoy’s characters are driven to adultery and murder by Beethoven’s passionate music.

In a world premiere performance, 100 years after Tolstoy’s death, all three works are presented in an ingenious production combining theatre and music by British playwright Laura Wade and Richard Tognetti.

Starring Samuel West (Enron, Persuasion, Notting Hill) and Robin McLeavy (STC’s A Streetcar Named Desire, The Loved Ones), with full performances of the Beethoven and Janácˇek by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer is a musical and theatrical event not to be missed.

BEETHOVEN (arr. Tognetti) Violin Sonata in A, Kreutzer
JANÁČEK (arr. Tognetti) String Quartet No.1, The Kreutzer Sonata
LAURA WADE Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer (original script inspired by Tolstoy)

Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead Violin
Samuel West Actor
Robin McLeavy Actor
Sarah Giles Director