Act I
Scene 1 The Rostov estate
On a moonlit night, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky is visiting the Rostovs at their country house. Disillusioned with life, his thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Natasha Rostova and her cousin Sonya, at their bedroom window, revelling in the beauty of the spring night.
Scene 2 A ballroom in St Petersburg, New Year’s Eve, 1809
Natasha arrives at her first ball. The guests include an unhappy Pierre Bezhukov with his wife Hélène, Hélène’s brother Anatole and his fellow-officer Dolokhov, and Andrei Bolkonsky. Pierre encourages his friend Andrei to dance with Natasha.
Scene 3 Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky’s house in Moscow
Natasha and Andrei are now engaged to be married. Andrei’s father, Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, considers the match beneath his son and has insisted that he spend a year abroad in the hope that the relationship will falter. Natasha and her father pay a call on the elderly prince, but he refuses to see them. Instead, his daughter Princess Marya receives them with some embarrassment. Suddenly Andrei’s father barges in, wearing his dressing gown, feigning surprise at the sight of visitors. His apologies are laden with sarcasm.
Scene 4 A party at the Bezukhovs’ house
Anatole declares his feelings for Natasha, handing her a love letter. Despite Sonya’s warning, Natasha weakens in her resolve to be faithful to Andrei.
Scene 5 Dolokhov’s apartment
With Dolokhov’s help, Anatole plans his elopement with Natasha that night.
Scene 6 At Marya Akhrosimova’s house, the same night
Natasha is staying with Sonya at her godmother’s. She awaits Anatole’s arrival. When Anatole appears, he is met by a servant and makes his escape. Akhrosimova scolds her goddaughter for such unacceptable behaviour. Natasha remains inconsolable until Pierre arrives. Learning what has happened, he reveals that Anatole is already married.
Scene 7 Pierre Bezukhov’s study, later the same night
Pierre confronts Anatole, demanding that he return Natasha’s letters, leave Moscow and never mention the affair to anyone. Denisov arrives with the news that Napoleon and his army are crossing into Russia. War is inevitable.
Act II
Scene 8 Before the Battle of Borodino, August 26, 1812
Preparations for the battle with the French are underway. A chance meeting between Andrei, now immersed in the affairs of war, and Denisov, who had himself once hoped to marry Natasha, provokes in Andrei fond if bitter memories of Natasha. Pierre, still a civilian, has come to observe the battle. Russian army parades before Field Marshal Kutuzov.
Scene 9 The Shevardino redoubt during the Battle of Borodino
Napoleon and his generals watch the battle’s progress. He is puzzled at his inability to secure the rapid victory that has been the hallmark of his earlier campaigns.
Scene 10 Fili, September 1, 1812
Kutuzov and his generals debate whether the city should be surrendered in order to save the army and the country. Kutuzov decides to abandon Moscow to the French.
Scene 11 A street in Moscow, September 1812
Moscow, now under French occupation, has been abandoned by the army, the aristocracy and most of its citizens; the French army is looting deserted houses. Pierre has remained behind, intent on assassinating Napoleon. He meets the Rostovs’ housekeeper and maid, who have news of Natasha and her family. People of Moscow start setting fire to the city, and Pierre is arrested on suspicion of arson. He is reprieved from the firing squad at the last moment and befriends Karataev, a fellow prisoner.
Scene 12 A village outside Moscow
The Rostovs have helped evacuate many wounded soldiers from Moscow, among them Andrei. Natasha goes to find him in the middle of the night. Andrei, delirious with pain, forgives her everything and together they imagine the life they might have enjoyed.
Scene 13 On the Smolensk road, late 1812
The French army, which has abandoned Moscow, retreats. Among the prisoners are Pierre and Karataev. Exhausted by the march, the latter is shot when he can no longer keep up. Pierre and the other prisoners are liberated by a partisan group under the command of Denisov and Dolokhov. Field Marshal Kutuzov arrives and everyone celebrates victory.