The great prima ballerina assoluta Alessandra Ferri has just been appointed the new director of the Vienna Opera Ballet. From 1 September 2025, she will succeed Martin Schläpfer, who has decided not to renew his contract. The Etoile will take over the artistic direction of the ballet company (and also that of the Wiener Staatsoper Ballet Academy), which is organised as an independent joint venture between the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Volksoper.
Born in Milan, Alessandra Ferri was a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet and the American Ballet Theater, before becoming prima ballerina assoluta at La Scala in Milan. Invited by the world’s leading companies, she has worked with the greatest choreographers, who have created works especially for her.
“Her vast experience, her natural leadership qualities and her exceptional career as one of the great prima dancers of our time make her the ideal person to lead our Vienna Ballet” says Lotte de Beer, Director of the Vienna Volksoper.