Internationally renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky has been appointed Associate Artist with the Dutch National Ballet, the company announced on 21st November, 2024.
“The appointment is for the period 2024-2027, during which time Dutch National Ballet will present at least one ballet a year by Ratmansky,” the statement said. “Ratmansky will also be involved in the company’s artistic policy and in developing choreographic talent.”
The Dutch National Ballet has been collaborating with Ratmansky already, performing his works such Don Quixote, Fairy’s Kiss and Firebird.
Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Ratmansky started his career as a dancer with the Ukrainian National Ballet in 1986. After retiring from dancing, he created many choreographies and he was the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia from 2004 to 2009. He was artist-in-residence at the American Ballet Theatre from 2009 to early-2023. Since August 2003, he has been artist-in-residence at the New York City Ballet.
Ratmansky has been a vocal critic of Russia since its invasion to Ukraine in 2022. The Dutch National Ballet took in dancers who left Russia after the invasion, including Olga Smirnova, Jacopo Tissi and Victor Caixeta. Caixeta has left the company and currently been an independent artist.
