Dutch National Ballet is creating a new ballet inspired by the life of artist Frida Kahlo. Frida has its world premiere on 6 February at Dutch National Ballet (DNB), Amsterdam.
Created by choreographer Anabelle Lopez Ochoa, Frida will explore not only her work but also her struggles with health and her advocacy of equal rights. The company said that Ochoa was “inspired by the way in which Kahlo has managed to transmute her sorrow, pain and immobility into art.”
This is actually the second work that Ochoa has created about Kahlo, following her short work Broken Wings for English National Ballet in 2016. Commented Ochoa: “‘Even before Broken Wings premièred, I felt it should be a full-length ballet, because there was too much happening in too short a space of time.” She added that it was a “dream come true” to receive the commission from DNB.
Frida features 50 dancers, with dramaturgy by Nancy Meckler; costume and set design by Dieuweke van Reij; music from Peter Salem (who also created the music for Broken Wings); and additional songs by Chavela Vargas. It runs until 25 February.