Zenaida Yanowsky reflects on 23 years with The Royal Ballet

Principal of The Royal Ballet since 2001, Zenaida Yanowsky is a real cornerstone of the Company. Here, she is interviewed by another legend of the business, Darcey Bussell, who spent almost 20 years as a Principal with The Royal Ballet.

The pair talk about a life and career with The Royal Ballet, from favourite performances and roles through to their thoughts on the Ashton triple bill in which Yanowsky dances dance the role of Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand.

The Ashton triple bill, featuring The Dream, Symphonic Variations, and Marguerite and Armand, is a collection of works by Frederick Ashton, Founder Choreographer of The Royal Ballet.

Yanowsky was born in Lyon and raised in Spain. She trained with Anatol Yanowsky and Carmen Robles. After winning a silver medal at Varna in 1991 she joined Paris Opera Ballet. Further awards included gold medals at the 1993 European Young Dancers Competition and the 1994 Jackson International Ballet Competition. She has performed leading roles in the classical, dramatic and contemporary repertories, and has created roles for and worked with choreographers including Mark Baldwin, Kim Brandstrup, Christopher Bruce, Siobhan Davies, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Flemming Flindt, William Forsythe, Javier De Frutos, Jiří Kylián, Cathy Marston, Ashley Page, Alexei Ratmansky, Liam Scarlett, Glen Tetley, Twyla Tharp, Will Tuckett and Christopher Wheeldon (including Mother/Queen of Hearts (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) and Paulina (The Winter’s Tale for The Royal Ballet).

Yanowsky features in the short dance films Duet and The Sandman (Channel 4) and Riot at the Rite (BBC). She has collaborated with Tuckett to create work for the Whitechapel Gallery and Tate Modern. Her many awards include Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) at the 2016 National Dance Awards for Elizabeth.

[peacepenguine]

zenaida as the queen of hearts was what first drew me to the alice in wonderland ballet, and in turn made me interested in ballet as an artform. best wishes to her, and thank you for putting your mark on the stage <3

[thabimajija]

I am absolutely obsessed with Zaneida. Her talent and flair make every dance I watch her in fills me with such pleasure. Not just a phenomenal dancer, but brilliant at expressing the story and characters.

[catherine]

Zenaida, oh I'm so sad that you're leaving. But I'm glad to say that you're the one that got me interested in ballet. From your Queen of Hearts to Swan Lake, you're my favorite ballerina.

[eightysevenf]

Oh God i lost it last night in the theatre. Started weeping over Marguerite's anguish, which soon turned to heaving sobs over the realization that this was the last time seeing her as a principal on this stage, and just being so incredibly grateful for everything she's given me over the years from that stage.

[sillystrings]

what an elegant, poised, beautiful woman. the royal ballet was so lucky to have her

[elmimiel]

Just have seen her today in the lifestream in Germany and I was crying and smiling like an idiot. Thank you so much for this wonderful years :)

[paulineiv]

Beautiful and Breathtaking!!💕Two legendary primas Zenaida and Darcey they're perfection and so happy both reflect upon the Royal Opera House!!💗

[icarrusu]

We love you Zenaida! Best wishes on your future endeavors!

[olavbreidabliksolberg]

This is seriously my all time favourite ballet dancer. She is just so perfect and magnificent in everything she does, even if it is in the swan lake or in Alice in wonderland. All hail the queen of hearts 👸🏼❤️

[Love_TheArtist]

Bravo! I wish I had the chance to see her live onstage at the ROH

[santi]

I still remember the night of 5th november 2004. I was there¡¡¡ I asked my boss: please, give me two days off, please¡¡¡ and I finally got two days off. ( 4th it was thursday and 5th friday, and then the weekeend) so I book the plane ticket, hotel, and of course, the tickets for the ballet. I made my dream true¡¡ I saw Darcey her very first night on her debut in Sylvia, it was wonderful, and then, the followind day, Zenaida¡¡¡ It was so wonderful. both nights, and now I see this video with my two favourite stars¡¡¡ thanks Zenaida and Darcey for such a great great career¡¡¡ and Sylvia ¡¡¡ by the way, a very difficult role, but both did a great job¡¡¡ :-)

[kathymyers]

SHE is a ballet dancer. ballet is her tool and she SPEAKS. so many technicians . They BORE ME.

[justinekim]

I'm not familiar with ballet at all but I absolutely loved her as the Queen of Hearts. She was incredible.

[ElizabethBathory]

I'm gonna miss Her! She have a unique style, an incredible combination of stronger technique and lovely elegance!

[katiefulton]

Love you always, Zenaida! You were my boyfriend's first swan queen/swan lake experience. I adore you as a dancer and an individual, as do so many -- you & your dancing will never be forgotten !

[AriRHen]

I loved her in The Winter's Tale. When I think of the Queen of Hearts I think of her. Amazing career.

[TotallyMHTsMH]

She is such a great dancer. I can really feel the story through her dancing ♥

[Marinaish]

what a beautiful, gracious dancer she is. What a lose for the Royal Ballet. Hope to see you in one form or the other as versatile as you are.

[OrientalBallerina]

Loved Zenaida as Elizabeth and the Queen of Hearts. Such an underrated dancer ♥️🌹

[dannywithachance]

zanaida i love you <3 <3 you are the best