The Royal Swedish Ballet

The Royal Swedish Ballet is one of the world’s oldest ballet companies. It was founded in 1773 by King Gustav III. It is Sweden’s largest dance company with the task of curating and developing classical ballet as well as contemporary, innovative works.

Anders Hellström began his career as a dancer at the Royal Swedish Ballet. In 1984, he was personally selected by John Neumeier to join the Hamburg Ballet, where he was also appointed as a principal dancer – the start of a long and successful international career.

Between 1993 and 1999, Anders danced at Ballet Frankfurt under the legendary choreographer William Forsythe, an era that was to be decisive for his artistic development. In 1999, he took up the position of artistic director of the Gothenburg Opera Dance Company, and five years later he moved to the Netherlands to take over the leadership of the prestigious Netherlands Dans Theater – one of Europe’s most important modern dance companies – where he stayed for 13 years.

In recent years, Anders has worked as a stager, teacher and coach for prominent institutions such as the Norwegian National Ballet, the Berlin State Ballet, the Finnish National Ballet, the Ballet National de Marseille – and of course, the Royal Swedish Ballet. Now he returns to the Opera House, full of experience and with a heart that is passionate about dance.

– Working abroad has given me valuable insights into how to build creative environments where people with different backgrounds can meet and inspire each other, Anders says.
– I have also had the privilege of creating a strong international network of choreographers and artistic partners, which makes it possible to invite new perspectives to the company.

Although the 2025/2026 season was already planned when he took office, Anders is deeply committed to the upcoming repertoire:
– Alexander Ekman's Midsummer Night's Dream is a playful, surprising and at times surreal work – at the same time entertaining and thought-provoking.
– I am very much looking forward to Dugan/Naharin, not least because it contains a world premiere. It is especially fun that William Dugan, one of our own dancers, is a great admirer of William Forsythe – a choreographer who has meant a lot to me, both professionally and personally. Minus 16 by Ohad Naharin was created for NDT 2 and is a work I have seen many times – it has a special place in my heart.
– Swan Lake in Nureyev’s version is something truly special – take the opportunity to see it, because it will be a while before the chance comes again!
– Mats Eks’s Juliet & Romeo is a modern classic that always touches me deeply. His choreographies are characterized by everydayness, warmth and a strong sense of recognition.
– Lifar/Forsythe is a performance you don’t want to miss – Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated changed the world of ballet when it came out and still influences young choreographers around the world today.

When the Royal Swedish Opera moves to the Gasometer in the spring of 2027 during the Opera House’s five-year renovation, new opportunities are at the door.
– The new stage means new frameworks to relate to – which at the same time opens up for exciting and creative solutions, says Anders.
His vision is clear: to offer both classical, neoclassical and innovative dance with high artistic quality, introduce new choreographers and to constantly develop the Royal Swedish Ballet – to the delight and inspiration of the audience here at home.
– Coming back to the Royal Swedish Ballet as artistic director after more than 40 years abroad is a bit like closing a circle. An honor and favor to share and contribute my accumulated experiences to the »mother house«.