Russians stars Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, have stormily resigned from the Cincinnati Ballet just three weeks before they were set to headline season opener Don Quixote.

Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik | ZOOM |

        The married couple cited differences with artistic director Victoria Morgan as the reason for breaking their contracts Wednesday.

        “It's not the Cincinnati Ballet. We love the company,” said Mr. Kremnev. “It did everything for us. We've worked very hard here, but it doesn't mean anything. We feel that Victoria Morgan doesn't understand how to deal with people.”

        Ms. Morgan said she regrets their resignations but is launching an international search to replace them.

        Tensions between Ms. Morgan and the couple had been escalating in recent months. What prompted their sudden departure was Ms. Morgan's questioning Ms. Reznik on her changing choreography for a recent touring production of Cinderella. Following choreography precisely is in a dancer's contract.

        Ms. Reznik explained that the stage was small and she made adjustments. This led to an airing of complaints on both sides and resulted in the couple's resignations.

Morgan

        The short-term effect on the $4.2 million company will be behind-the-scenes scrambling.

        Beyond Don Quixote, works being choreographed for the couple include this spring's full-length A Thousand and One Nights. Mr. Kremnev and Ms. Reznik also were to dance leading roles in the January segment of the annual regional Home Cities tour, which was to have featured choreography by Mr. Kremnev.

        In addition, Val Caniparoli's new, eagerly awaited Nutcracker was designed with the couple in leading roles. Their departure will not affect the ballet's first international engagement — in Portugal in November.

        “It's awkward timing, but we're thinking creatively,” Ms. Morgan said. “We're making an international search to replace them. We also want to bring people up internally, but that may not be immediate.”

        Stephen Mills, artistic director of Ballet Austin, said dancers leaving suddenly is not that unusual. He cited a recent departure of a principal dancer because of company reorganization.

        “It doesn't reflect badly on management,” said Mr. Mills. “You have to remember why dancers are in it from the beginning. It's mostly ego-based. It's hard for them to see the bigger picture of scheduling, selling product and paying salaries.”

        Company corps member Darren Anderson said the announcement came as a shock to dancers. “There were tears. I'm going to miss them especially. As a younger dancer, they took time to coach me; they were very generous that way.”

        Principal dancer Rene Micheo, who has often partnered Ms. Reznik, said of her, “She's irreplaceable. She's been a jewel for the company. In the history of this company, she holds the gold medal.”

        Ms. Morgan acknowledged the talent of the pair.

        “They've made a wonderful contribution and have set a standard for technical and artistic excellence,” she said.

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