Jan McNulty Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I've just seen the unbelievable news on Facebook that Johan Kobborg is no longer with ONB. Initially I thought it was a late April Fool but sadly I fear not: https://www.facebook.com/johan.kobborg.1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) Oh, what sad news. (Sadly I can't seen any notification on the Facebook page listed as I'm not a Facebook friend of Mr. Kobborg but I can see his notation on Twitter where he remarks that his 'name has been removed as artistic director'..) Without hesitation I very much enjoyed the performances I saw with the Romanian National Ballet under his regime. He was doing such a splendid job - at least from this audience member's perspective - and that's all, of course, I have to go on. He says he hopes to be able to 'return'. Given the work I saw I do hope so too. Edited April 5, 2016 by Bruce Wall 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPD444 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) I wonder if Alina knew? She just tweeted about arriving in Stuttgart to dance Manon I think. I thought she would be with him! On Twitter he puts that he finds his name removed, which implies he has Been pushed out. Edited April 5, 2016 by SPD444 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) Yes I just saw his tweet, I wonder why? This is so sad the company was doing so well. Hope we get some background to this. So sad. Edit: Kobborg's Twitter account is here: https://twitter.com/kobborg - I don't know how to get at his exact tweet from this computer. Edited April 6, 2016 by alison to add link to Kobborg's Twitter account 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I'd be very interested to know what has gone on behind the scenes, because from an artistic point of view no-one could have done more for the company: he has pulled it up by its pointe-shoe ribbons, improved its technical standards, expanded its repertory to include some wonderful ballets, had Alina obtaining pointe shoes for them from ENB and others, and has managed to get many illustrious international dancers to guest or join the company. I can't think of how he can be faulted from that point of view. Something else must have happened to cause this sudden and sad turn of events. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Like you, I find it totally incomprehensible, Sim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) I wonder if Alina knew? She just tweeted about arriving in Stuttgart to dance Manon I think. I thought she would be with him! On Twitter he puts that he finds his name removed, which implies he has Been pushed out. Cojocaru tweeted early morning and this seems a very sudden announcement. She is in Stuttgart to rehearse with Vogel: they are supposed (and I hope this is confirmed) to dance Manon in Bucharest on Sunday. Manon with Cojocaru and Vogel in Bucharest, every company would die for this...maybe it's too much for the new general director? I hope it's a momentary situation that can resolve to the best. I mean, it can happen in country as mine and as Romania ...fingers crossed Edited April 5, 2016 by annamicro 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 As incomprehensible as his departure from the Royal Ballet? He has so much to offer - it would be good to see him back in this country is some role. Also Ms Cojocaru has said in the past that where he goes she will follow. Hopefully this might mean we see more, not less of her. Is it too much to hope that Mr O'Hare is picking up the phone to check out the possibilities! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPD444 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) I got the impression that Johan left because he was not selected to take the reigns when Monica retired, so anything less than that would not be of interest to him. I do not know this as a fact, but my feelings. Edited April 5, 2016 by SPD444 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I got the impression that Johan left because he was not selected to take the reigns when Monica retired, so anything less than that would not be of interest to him. I do not know this as a fact, but my feelings. ? As far as I know he didn't even apply for that position... Rojo did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Can we stop the suppositions as to why JK left RB, please. We've locked threads because of that before and I don't want to have to do it to this thread too. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Can we stop the suppositions as to why JK left RB, please. We've locked threads because of that before and I don't want to have to do it to this thread too. I agree. My only interest is in whether this might be an opportunity for the Royal Ballet to re-build bridges - perhaps with an invitation to revive his production of La Sylphide? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) I agree. My only interest is in whether this might be an opportunity for the Royal Ballet to re-build bridges - perhaps with an invitation to revive his production of La Sylphide? I hope he will remain in Bucharest and his position there should be the topic of this thread. Anyway, there are many bridges on rivers: ONB danced The Dream with sets and costumes (but not the wigs ) of the Royal Ballet (and Jeanetta Laurence was in the audience) Edited April 5, 2016 by annamicro 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimum6 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Was shocked to see the tweet. I have seen nothing but fab reviews of the company S work since he took over 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I am so upset for him. He was so happy there and so proud of the company. Over the weekend he was putting extracts of Manon reviews on Facebook. It's awful. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I have hidden a posting as, despite my express request above, it includes supposition as to why Kobborg left the Royal Ballet. The Mods will discuss this but we have been very clear (including by locking other threads) that we will not accept such supposition on this site. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPD444 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I apologise unreservedly if it was my comments that resurrected this subject. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 The Dancing Times has a news item on line. Nothing more than reporting what has been stated on FB and Twitter and what he has achieved with the company: http://dancing-times.co.uk/news/item/1912-kobborg_removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I saw Stefan Herheim's dreadful production of Sicilian Vespers - the final choreography was ludicrous. That must have been the final insult. The tragedy was that Mr Kobborg was developing an interest and ability in choreography which seemed to be stopped dead in its tracks. Of course his achievements as AD in Budapest have been remarkable. I don't know whether he has found time to continue to develop his choreographic skills in that post but if he were to re-focus wholly on choreography at some stage I for one would not be unhappy. I would just make the point that the Royal Ballet has a considerable history regarding dancers who turn their skills to artistic administration before moving on to become world class choreographers. And Mr O'Hare is making aspiring choreographers a priority! Whatever happens next in Budapest, it does seem that his tenure there has turned sour. I would like him to know that he is warmly remembered back here and would be welcomed with open arms if he chose to return. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Alina Cojocaru is in Munich, where she will be dancing Neumeier's Lady of the Camellias tomorrow, stepping in for Lucia Lacarra. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Alina Cojocaru is in Munich, where she will be dancing Neumeier's Lady of the Camellias tomorrow, stepping in for Lucia Lacarra. It's what she actually wrote (she wrote "helping")...this "stop" happened on her way to Stuttgart. Nothing was on Munich website when I checked it. What a treat for Munich: she is fantastic in the role (of course I hope the wonderful Lacarra is well and it's just a short stop). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilian88 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 A short article about it : http://slippedisc.com/2016/04/just-in-bucharest-erases-ballet-chief/ It's really very sad, I find absurd especially the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveclassics Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) In view of his considerable achievements with the company, this must be a political and not an artistic decision. Like as at the Bolshoi, contracts don't seem to matter in Eastern Europe - I suspect it's a case of "Sorry but the board and I have decided we don't like the colour of your eyes". I doubt he'll be out of work for long - surely many other companies in the world would be delighted to snap him up. I certainly hope so for both his and Alina's sake. Linda Ed. for clarity. Edited April 5, 2016 by loveclassics 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilian88 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 In view of his considerable achievements with the company, this must be a political and not an artistic decision. Like as at the Bolshoi, contracts don't seem to matter in Eastern Europe - I suspect it's a case of "Sorry but the board and I have decided we don't like the colour of your eyes". I doubt he'll be out of work for long - surely many other companies in the world would be delighted to snap him up. I certainly hope so for both his and Alina's sake. Linda Ed. for clarity. I agree with you! Although I find that these problems are specific to the world of ballet and theater in general, though perhaps in some places in less dramatic ways than others... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I do hope we get some further info in due course, but in the meantime until we hear (if we hear) I want to wish Johann well for his future and also the dancers he leaves behind at Bucharest, not least Dawid Trezensimiech who is a particular favourite of mine. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 I read a post that Emma Kauldhar had put on FB, as a result of which I looked at the ONB website. Goodness only knows what is going on but Johan Kobborg is now shown as being an "Artist of the Company" - i.e. he is being listed as a member of the corps!!! http://www.operanb.ro/en/onb/artisti/ansamblu I do hope that this dreadful mischance is sorted out for Mr Kobborg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 There is a report on a Romanian news site which possibly throws light on events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I tried that link John, but my laptop wouldn't translate it - is there an English language version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Afraid not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I put the headline into google and got this - not very good translation but better than nothing: https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&u=http://www.europafm.ro/scandal-la-opera-nationala-dupa-numirea-lui-tiberiu-soare-in-functia-de-director/&prev=search 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletfanp Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Sounds like the dancers have gone on strike. Good at least to know that they are behind Kobborg. But what an awful situation. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPD444 Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 So it looks like this new guy wants everyone to speak Romanian or they are out. Wow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coated Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 (edited) This sounds amazingly shortsighted and somewhat jingoistic. If I ever want a masterclass on how to wipe out years of sterling work, I'd ring a certain culture minister Edited April 5, 2016 by Coated 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts