David Hallberg – A Classical Ballet Dancer's Admiration for the Avant Garde [Source: DancePulp]
David Hallberg, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, is moving to Russia and joining the Bolshoi Ballet. He is said to be the first American to take a position with the company and will join as a premier dancer, the same high status as a principal. He will also continue to dance with ABT for the time being.
It's a high profile position and part of what Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi's new artistic director, is bringing to the company. Hallberg has previously performed as a guest with the company, as have others, and he looks forward to the opportunity:
"I have never anywhere encountered such seriousness and depth about ballet…Everywhere you go in Russia, you feel that dancing is valued as a high art. And inside the companies the work is so intelligently and beautifully approached. My one performance at the Bolshoi was amazingly intimidating. The company's record is so historic. But I grew a little because of it."
In the above interview from a bit over a year ago, Hallberg discusses his background in dance as well as his appreciation of avant garde performance.
