Those who missed out on seeing David Hallberg’s fleeting appearance as a guest artist with the Australian Ballet in 2010 will have another chance at the company’s 50th anniversary gala.
The American dancer with the elegant lines and silken technique will be one of a line-up of international stars. He is the first American dancer to have been invited to join the Bolshoi Ballet (he still retains his status as a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre).
From Moscow, Hallberg said he was delighted to be a part of the anniversary line-up.
"What a milestone for such an iconic company! Combined with its history of rich repertoire and its modern vision of creating fresh, vibrant art, the Australian Ballet has danced its way to being one of the great companies of the world,” said Hallberg.
He will perform the Tschaikovsky Pas de deux, choreographed by Balanchine.
Joining Hallberg on the bill will be dancers from some of the world’s top dance companies.
The gala will run for five performances only from October 31 to November 3, 2012, at the Arts Centre, Melbourne.
Tickets are already on sale and the Australian Ballet expects them to sell fast.
At present the program is expected to include excerpts from Giselle (performed by dancers from the National Ballet of China), Carmen (performed by Mizuka Ueno and Kazuo Kimura of the Tokyo Ballet), Little Monsters (choreographed by Demis Volpi, performed by Elisa Badenes and Daniel Camargo of the Stuttgart Ballet) and Etudes (choreographed by Lander, performed by the AB).
The gala has been generously supported by a $400,000 donation from the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust.