Andrea Mohin/The New York Times Mr. Kobborg and Ms. Cojocaru performing in “Romeo and Juliet†with the American Ballet Theater in New York in 2012.Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg, two of most admired principal dancers on the roster of the Royal Ballet, in London, announced on Monday that they would leave the company at the end of the current season. Their final performance at the Royal Opera House will be in “Mayerling†on Wednesday, although they will remain with the company for a visit to Japan, with performances in Tokyo on July 11 and 12.
Ms. Cojocaru, 34, was born in Bucharest, trained in Kiev, and joined the Royal Ballet in 1999. Mr. Kobborg, a Danish dancer, joined the company in 1991 and became a principal dancer in 1994. The two first worked together in 2001, when Ms. Cojocaru filled in for an ailing Miyako Yoshida in a production of “Romeo and Juliet,†in which Mr. Kobborg was dancing Romeo. That collaboration was the start of a storied partnership onstage and off, and that year Ms. Cojocaru was named a principal dancer.
Their work at the company has not been uneventful. In 2008, Ms. Cojocaru was seriously injured when she was handled awkwardly in a lift, but she was dancing again the following season. That same year, there was talk of Mr. Kobborg succeeding Monica Mason as the company’s director, when she stepped down in 2012, although in the event, Kevin O’Hare was appointed to the position.
The two have danced with other companies, including the American Ballet Theater, with increasing frequency in recent seasons. In 2012, John Neumeier’s “Liliom,†which had its premiere at the Hamburg Ballet, was created for Ms. Cojocaru, who won the Prix Benois de la Danse for her portrayal of the lead role.
“We have had wonderful experiences with the Royal Ballet over the years, and feel fortunate to have worked alongside so many inspiring artists,†Ms. Cojocaru and Mr. Kobborg said in a statement.
