English National Ballet Lead Principal Elena Glurdjidze gives her farewell performance in Derek Deane's Swan Lake at the London Coliseum from 7 to 18 January 2015 following its UK tour.
Of leaving ENB, Elena Glurdjidze says: “I have spent 12 years of my professional career with English National Ballet and would like to express my immense gratitude to all of the staff, from the artists, directors, to the technical, orchestra and administrative staff. They have been great and it has been an honour and a pleasure working with them.
"For anyone in the dance profession, the audience is what drives us, judges us and makes us happy. English National Ballet’s fans have been amazing and I’d like to say a special thanks to them.
"I’m leaving English National Ballet with a feeling of pride of what has been achieved and hope to stay in touch with everyone and continue to serve the arts.”
Vitor Luiz, currently a Principal at San Francisco Ballet, makes his debut with ENB in Swan Lake. Trained at The Royal Ballet School, Luiz has previously performed with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Municipal Theater Ballet, Rio de Janeiro. In 2010 Luiz won the Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Best Ensemble Performance in Possokhov’s Classical Symphony.
First Soloist Junor Souza is to be sponsored by XL Group, the global insurance and reinsurance group, in a new partnership with English National Ballet.
Born in Brazil, Junor Souza joined ENB in 2008 following his graduation from English National Ballet School. In 2010 he was promoted to First Artist and the following year to Junior Soloist. In September this year Souza was promoted to First Soloist.
In 2014 Souza won the Emerging Dancer award, a competition that encourages young talent within English National Ballet chosen by a panel of eminent judges.
This season sees Souza partner Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director and Lead Principal at English National Ballet, as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Franz in Coppelia, and as the Prince in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker.
Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director at English National Ballet said: “XL Group’s sponsorship of Junor will help to fulfil his potential and develop his career while raising his profile on both a UK and international stage.”