Evgenia Obraztsova, a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet, is coming to Brisbane in May to dance Odette/Odile in two performances of Swan Lake for Queensland Ballet. The internationally renowned Russian ballerina will perform on May 9 and 11, replacing Romanian-born ballet star Alina Cojocaru who has had to withdraw from the production.

^{Evgenia Obraztsova. Photograph courtesy of Queensland Ballet}

“Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Alina is no longer able to join our Company for this season, something both Alina and we are very disappointed about. We do hope to welcome Alina back at some time in the future to perform again with Queensland Ballet as she enthralled audiences last time she was dancing The Sleeping Beauty with us,” said Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin.

“We are so very privileged to have a ballerina of Evgenia’s calibre guesting with us. She is acclaimed and respected the world over for her flawless technique and wonderful artistry,” said Li.

“Evgenia is in demand as a guest dancer for many of the world’s most respected ballet companies in all the leading classical ballet roles so we’re very grateful that she will be joining...