The Royal's Alexandra Ansanelli.

A breathtaking dancer with a beautiful and daring quality, Alexandra Ansanelli performed almost every night during New York City Ballet's seasons (see cover story, June 2004). Although she was a favorite among audiences and critics alike, she left the company last year. Seeking to dance the classic full-length ballets, Ansanelli signed on with The Royal Ballet in December.

Though she invited Ansanelli mid-season, artistic director Monica Mason lost no time in putting her to work, and added Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux to the home season. Ansanelli, who has danced this ballet so many times that "it's a part of me," has no fears about throwing herself into the guy's arms at the end of the duet. In a phone interview, she recalled the audience reaction. "You could hear them gasp," she said.

The big question is, will she dance Aurora (a role she performed with City Ballet) when the company does The Sleeping Beauty on this tour? At press time, the answer was "maybe." She is, however, definitely cast to dance the Lilac Fairy.

In the meantime, she is rehearsing Requiem, MacMillan's homage to Cranko, which she calls "thrilling." After learning that the piece was based on paintings by William Blake, she went to the Tate Britain to see them. She was struck with the religious and emotional aspects of both the art and MacMillan's choreography. "There are certain movements expressing anger. You can show that not just through hands and eyes, but through the pivot of your body, and through accenting and timing."

Although spending lots of time working, she has stolen some moments to cruise around her new city. "London has a vibe to it," she said. "It's not at the speed of New York--everyone is not up at 5 A.M. going to the gym--but each week I go out and have an excursion. I didn't expect London to be so diverse; there is so much to explore and discover."

About Monica Mason, her new boss, she said, "She's fabulous. She's very hands on. She listens; she gives her advice; she comes to every dressing room after every rehearsal. She's very involved. Everyone feels it in the company; you can see everyone's very happy." And as an afterthought, "Frankly I don't know how she has the energy and time."

When asked what dancers at RB she admires, she replied, "I saw almost every cast of Giselle when I came, and I felt like I was in a whole new story each time. Every dancer is their own being."

What's the hardest thing so far? "Leaving my family," she says without skipping a beat. Ansanelli, 25, is still close to her parents and sisters. "In addition to a new style, a new company, and a new country, I'm living on my own for the first time. My parents are my best friends." But she is exactly where she wants to be. "I want to explore every possibility in my art. I wanted to keep learning and growing."