The Hound of Heaven

Ballet by John Neumeier

Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Choreography and Costumes: John Neumeier
Set and Light Design: Winifred Sensiba

PREMIERE:
Milwaukee, Marquette University, Teatro Maria, May 13, 1960

ORIGINAL CAST:
The Pursued: John Neumeier
The Mistress: Marlene Kelly
The Child: Catherine Kilzer
The Spirit of Nature: Polly Harding
The Narrator: John Genke

Day and night, through the years, in sorrow, joy, hope, and depression, the sinner flees from God, knowing all the while that he is being pursued. His conscience keeps telling him that creatures will not satisfy his desire for love and happiness since he is betraying the Creator of them by flouting His love. As Saint Augustine puts it: “Our hearts are made for Thee, O Lord. and they cannot rest until they rest in Thee.” This is why the sinner, after having sought fulfillment in earthly Love, the innocence of Childhood, the delights of Nature, surrenders at last to his Pursuer and in this act of submission finds ALL that he has been seeking.