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From May 8-10 the Atlanta Ballet will present the East Coast premiere of "Frida" by A. Lopez Ochoa
28 April 2026
Frida" is more than just a biographical ballet when the vibrant and uncompromising life of Frida Kahlo comes to life on stage thanks to the choreography of the renowned Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The ballet was created by Isabel Ochoa in 2020 together with the Dutch National Ballet.
"Frida", which features designs by Dutch artist Dieuweke van Reij and music by British composer Peter Salem performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, combines artistic influences from Latin America and Europe, interpreted by an American company on an Atlanta stage.
Bringing the story of Frida Kahlo to the stage, A. Lopez Ochoa focused on expressing both the artist’s personal experiences and the cultural identity that shaped her work.
That exchange is both personal and professional for Ochoa, whose own identity is multicultural.
“I’m always proud to share facets of my Latin roots through the ballets I make,” she said. “However, as an artist I prefer to be seen as a chameleon than an advocate of a single identity.”
“I’m mixed-raced, much like Frida herself,” Ochoa added. “I carry different cultures in me, which can be confusing at times, but in many ways, it is deeply enriching.”
“Frida always said she wasn’t a surrealist because she painted her life and not her dreams,” she said. “I think that the iconography that she used to express her emotions on canvas does veer towards surrealism and therefore this visual poetry lends itself perfectly for ballet.”
Frida's paintings, which are deeply rooted in Mexican heritage and symbolism, provided a foundation for movement that reflects both place and identity, she added.
“In the choreography, I tried to capture her ancestry through grounded movement, skirt movement derivative of Mexican folkloric dances and strong sculptural poses inspired by pre-Columbian art,” Ochoa explained.
Read here the complete article of The Global Atlanta.
More info on the ballet at this link.
May 8 through May 10, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Logistic info and tickets at the link below.
