The Australian Ballet has announced that David Hallberg has been appointed as the next artistic director of The Australian Ballet. Hallberg will commence in the role in 2021, succeeding David McAllister, who will retire at the end of 2020.
In spite of numerous high level commitments in the Northern Hemisphere – he is a principal of American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet, and a principal guest of the Royal Ballet – Hallberg is no stranger to The Australian Ballet. A resident guest artist of the company he has been a regular guest artist for ten years. Those who have read his memoir, A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back, will know that he also spent many months with the company whilst rehabilitating an injury.
“It is a great honour to join this iconic cultural institution as its next artistic director,” says Hallberg. “We have had a long history, first as an invited dancer, then seeking the expertise of its world-renowned medical team, and finally as its resident guest artist. During this time I have fallen in love with Australia, its people and this wonderful ballet company. I am thrilled for the future of this company, a company that inspires me with its level of excellence and global standard. I look forward to using the experience I’ve garnered over my 20-year career around the world and funnelling it into the culture of The Australian Ballet. The future looks very bright for this world class company.”
Pictured top is David Hallberg. Photo: Daniel Boud.