The Royal's New Reign
The Royal’s Alina Cojocaru
Instead of getting the dog she dreamed of for Christmas, Alina Cojocaru received a bonsai tree from her boyfriend and partner, Johan Kobborg. Like the bonsai, Cojocaru is petite, but her unique talents have led her to grow in artistic stature to great heights. Her rise to fame is the stuff that dreams are made of. As a corps member, she stepped in with five days’ notice to learn the role created by Margot Fonteyn in Symphonic Variations. The buzz at the premiere meant that she wouldn’t be hidden in the corps for long. Again she came to the rescue in the role of Juliet for another injured ballerina. Three months later, as a soloist, her Giselle left the audience dabbing their eyes and the artistic director speedily promoting her to principal. That was in 2001.
The Royal’s Sarah Lamb
She was mesmerizing and heartbreaking,” enthused one audience member after Sarah Lamb’s debut last October in Johan Kobborg’s La Sylphide. It was praise echoed by many. Lamb’s performance as the mischievous but tragic Sylph took her to new heights. Soft as a snowflake and ethereal as a butterfly, she danced with spontaneity and delight. She skimmed the stage seemingly without touching it, her slowly unfurled balances steady, and her technique exemplary.
The Royal’s Alexandra Ansanelli
A breathtaking dancer with a beautiful and daring quality, Alexandra Ansanelli performed almost every night during New York City Ballet’s seasons (see cover story, June 2004). Although she was a favorite among audiences and critics alike, she left the company last year. Seeking to dance the classic full-length ballets, Ansanelli signed on with The Royal Ballet in December.
