Royal Ballet Principal dancer Federico Bonelli has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of Northern Ballet commencing 1 May 2022. Current Artistic Director David Nixon will be standing down this season after 21 years in post.
Italian dancer Federico Bonelli was born in Genoa and grew up in Casale Monferrato, training locally and at the Turin Dance Academy. His awards include first prize at the Rieti International Ballet Competition and a Prix de Lausanne scholarship. He joined Zürich Ballet in 1996 and was promoted to soloist in 1997. He joined Dutch National Ballet in 1999 and was promoted to principal in 2002 before moving to London to join The Royal Ballet as a Principal in 2003.
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, said, "I am so delighted that Federico takes up this exciting position with Northern Ballet after David Nixon’s long and successful tenure. Federico is the very embodiment of a versatile Royal Ballet dancer and gracious company member.
"He epitomises the charismatic elegance of the true danseur noble and possesses an innate ability to cover with ease the wide-ranging classical and contemporary stylistic qualities of our repertory. He has brought a deep and affecting understanding of story and character to all his roles, including Albrecht, which he performed so brilliantly in our recent revival, Romeo, Crown Prince Rudolf, Des Grieux, King Leontes and Dante, to name but a few. He has been a wonderful role model for young dancers and has great integrity, both as a performer and member of the Company, which I know bodes well for his future leadership of Northern Ballet."
Bonelli said, "I am thrilled to be joining Northern Ballet as its new Artistic Director and I cannot wait to begin working with this exceptional group of dancers and creatives. At the same time, I am truly sad to leave The Royal Ballet, a company that has been my home for 19 years and that has enriched my life so greatly."