Last summer Jurgita Dronina took leave of absence from The Royal Swedish Ballet and moved to Amsterdam and The Dutch National Ballet – Het Nationle Ballet. Dansportalen correspondent Maggie Foyer met with her there for an interview.

Tell me about your introduction to Amsterdam?
My first appearance here was a year ago, early March. I was guesting in Alexei Ratmansky´s Don Quixote with Cédric Ygnace. It was great, the weather was lovely and I fell in love with the company.

You and Cédric have formed a very special partnership.
Yes, we met in Italy were we danced The Sleeping Beauty. My partner was injured and although Cédric and I knew each other, we had never danced together. But when we met we just clicked right away. We had fun and a lot in common outside the ballet as well. But when we danced together we really decided that it has to continue or we might miss great future opportunities.

Do you intend staying in Holland for a while?
Yes, my husband, Serguei Endinian, is a soloist in the company and we are happy here. This particular season has given me so much; every programme was a premiere. It was so exciting and on top of that there are the extra bits like galas, so I always feel in shape.

While I’m doing the classical, I am guesting something modern and while I am doing modern I am guesting something classical – so they always complement each other. Amsterdam is so central and so much easier to travel.

Your diary must be very busy?
Yes, a bit crazy in May and June but I like crazy months.

You are dancing the title role in Sylvia. Is this your first time working with John Neumeier?
We met in Sweden. In my first year we did Peer Gynt. I was just corps de ballet but doing a principal part I get direct input from him.

Sylvia is a very complex character.
The role has different layers. It’s not what she does, it’s what she feels, a life beside that which is shown on stage – it’s very complicated. John comes in and says two words that describe exactly what he wants to see from us and we understand it straight away. It’s interesting to work this way. You get it right away by this contact with the choreographer who knows exactly what he wants.

The way that he explains, it gets right inside. But the last week was very intense and I felt in one week it developed so much. It’s wonderful this ballet, it’s not like a usual full length ballet. After Sylvia you leave the stage in a sort of trance so that it comes back after a few hours, ‘we did feel it, that particular moment in that way, that was so special’!

And I am lucky to have such an honest partner as Artur (Shesterikov). I don’t want to leave, to leave him lying there. When the husband comes it breaks my heart. Every time I leave I cry. I would give everything at that moment to stay on stage but as John said, ‘you have experienced so much in your life, you have your husband and you can’t go back. This is your life and you have to go on with it’.

What has been the most exciting moment since you came to Amsterdam?
The highlight of the season for me was The Sleeping Beauty. I was so looking forward to it when I knew I was doing the opening night. So that was the big premiere for me.

Any plans to guest in Stockholm?
I went to Sweden the first time when I was 16. I felt at home and the feeling stays even though I feel great here. When I think of Sweden, of the theatre where I grew up as an artist – it’s my home. If I get an opportunity to come back and guest, I would love to. I love that theatre, it has such special memories. I miss Stockholm.

Maggie Foyer
May 10 2011