Imagine young ballet soloist Anamarija Marković from the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb preparing for something completely new and different – a summer concert outdoors, right in front of the theatre! Yes, you read that right, ballet in the open air, and not to classical ballet music, but to evergreens. Anamarija started her ballet education in Zagreb and perfected her skills at the prestigious Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg. She is already known for roles in classics like “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.” But now, she and her colleagues from the ensemble are preparing something more relaxed, freer, and, as she says, fun.
This concert, scheduled for July 4th, will be a real treat for Zagreb residents and their guests. Three soloist couples will perform well-known evergreens, which is a completely new experience for Anamarija since she has never danced to music outside the classical ballet repertoire. The end of the season calls for a cheerful and relaxed finale, and she believes the audience will enjoy this unusual blend of ballet and popular melodies.
But that’s not all! The Croatian National Theatre recently announced two major premieres – “The New Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Anamarija does not yet know which role she will get but looks forward to the challenges ahead. “Sleeping Beauty” is especially dear to her as it has not been in the repertoire for a long time, and Tchaikovsky’s music makes it even more lavish and magical. Like many dancers, she has a list of desired roles, including “Don Quixote,” “Le Corsaire,” “Five Tangos” by Hans van Manen, “Onegin,” and “Anna Karenina.”
The ballet ensemble of the Croatian National Theatre stands out as one of the most culturally diverse collectives in the country, with members from different ballet schools and styles, which she sees as a great advantage. The path to becoming a soloist is not easy – it requires not only talent but also mental strength, dedication, and often separation from family due to studying abroad. Anamarija advises young dancers not to fear going abroad as it is a great opportunity for learning and personal growth, and the doors of the homeland should always remain open.
This summer concert and upcoming premieres show that ballet in Zagreb is not standing still but evolving and adapting to new challenges, and Anamarija Marković is a great example of a dancer boldly walking that path. If you thought ballet was boring and old-fashioned, think again – this is a perfect chance to see how classical art can be refreshed and made accessible to everyone. And if you have a favorite evergreen you’d like to see in a ballet version, feel free to throw your idea into the comments – maybe Anamarija and the team will perform it next time!
