Radetsky Returns
When Sascha Radetsky joined the Dutch National Ballet in 2008, after a fruitful 13-year career with American Ballet Theatre, he was looking forward to expanding his repertoire of principal roles. But though he was able to partially fulfill that dream—performing Albrecht in
Giselle and Masetto in Don Giovanni with DNB—various obligations brought him back to the United States, where he has rejoined ABT as a soloist. Radetsky spoke to Pointe about the significant shifts in his career.
I don’t want to take anything away from Dutch National Ballet. They’re a wonderful company, and I had a very fulfilling time over there. In fact, I might continue working with them at some point in the future. But for personal reasons I’ve chosen to return to ABT, where Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie has very graciously welcomed me back.
A family illness initially called me to the States last summer, and I realized then how much I’d missed my wife, Stella [Abrera, a soloist with ABT]. That separation was really tough. I’d missed ABT, as well. This company is my family and my home.
I feel that the developments in my personal and professional life have given me a new sense of perspective these days. I’m looking forward to dancing some of the ABT roles I’ve grown attached to over the years, and to working with my many dear friends in the company. And it’s hard to beat performing at the Met, or to beat New York City, period—it’s the greatest dance city in the world. Most of all, though, I’m looking forward to spending time with my girl. Being with Stella is more important than chasing roles over in Europe. —Sascha Radetsky, as told to Margaret Fuhrer