Introducing Our Annas
Svetlana Lunkina, Heather Ogden and Sonia Rodriguez
November 5, 2018
One of literature’s most complex and captivating characters will be transformed into dance by Principal Dancers Svetlana Lunkina, Heather Ogden and Sonia Rodriguez. These three acclaimed artists will debut in the title role in the North American premiere of John Neumeier’s Anna Karenina.
"For me it is about understanding the inner world and psychology of Anna’s character – her decisions, the things she gave up and fought for, and to be honest and thoughtful with every gesture.” – Svetlana Lunkina
“I feel very honoured to be dancing the role of Anna in this beautiful production. I always treasure the time we have to work with John and I love the way he can dive into a story to bring it to life.” – Heather Ogden
“I look forward to becoming Anna – to experience her complexity and the consequences of her choices so determined by her circumstances. I have fallen in love with this character and I hope the audience will too.” – Sonia Rodriguez
Based on Leo Tolstoy's great masterwork and set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Alfred Schnittke and Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam, the ballet has been hailed “an Anna Karenina for our times” (NPR) following acclaimed performances in Hamburg and Moscow. Anna Karenina is the first co-operation between The National Ballet of Canada, The Hamburg Ballet and The Bolshoi Ballet.
Anna Karenina opens the 2018/19 season and is onstage November 10 – 18, 2018.