A Body Of Work: Dancing To The Edge And Back
by David Hallberg /
2017 / English / PDF
48.7 MB Download
David Hallberg, the first American to join the famed Bolshoi Ballet
as a principal dancer and the dazzling artist
David Hallberg, the first American to join the famed Bolshoi Ballet
as a principal dancer and the dazzling artistThe New Yorker
The New Yorker
described as “the most exciting male dancer in the western world,”
presents an intimate journey through his artistic life up to the
moment he returns to the stage after a devastating injury almost
cost him his career.
described as “the most exciting male dancer in the western world,”
presents an intimate journey through his artistic life up to the
moment he returns to the stage after a devastating injury almost
cost him his career.
Beginning with his real-life Billy Elliot childhood—an all-American
story marred by intense bullying—and culminating in his hard-won
come-back, Hallberg’s brave memoir dives deep into life as an
artist as he wrestles with ego, pushes the limits of his body, and
searches for ecstatic perfection and fulfillment as one of the
world’s most acclaimed ballet dancers.
Beginning with his real-life Billy Elliot childhood—an all-American
story marred by intense bullying—and culminating in his hard-won
come-back, Hallberg’s brave memoir dives deep into life as an
artist as he wrestles with ego, pushes the limits of his body, and
searches for ecstatic perfection and fulfillment as one of the
world’s most acclaimed ballet dancers.
While rich in detail ballet fans will adore, this is a book that
anyone interested in a life of creativity will love. Hallberg
reflects on themes like inspiration, self-doubt, and perfectionism
as he takes readers into daily class, rigorous rehearsals, and
triumphant performances, searching for new interpretations of
ballet’s greatest roles. He reveals the loneliness he felt as a
teenager leaving America to join the Paris Opera Ballet, the
ambition he had to tame as a new member of American Ballet Theatre,
and the reasons behind his headline-grabbing decision to be the
first American to join the top rank of Bolshoi Ballet, tendered by
the artistic director who would later be the victim of a vicious
acid attack. Then, as Hallberg performed throughout the world at
the peak of his abilities, he suffered a crippling ankle injury and
unsuccessful surgery leading to an agonizing retreat from ballet
and an honest reexamination of his entire life.
While rich in detail ballet fans will adore, this is a book that
anyone interested in a life of creativity will love. Hallberg
reflects on themes like inspiration, self-doubt, and perfectionism
as he takes readers into daily class, rigorous rehearsals, and
triumphant performances, searching for new interpretations of
ballet’s greatest roles. He reveals the loneliness he felt as a
teenager leaving America to join the Paris Opera Ballet, the
ambition he had to tame as a new member of American Ballet Theatre,
and the reasons behind his headline-grabbing decision to be the
first American to join the top rank of Bolshoi Ballet, tendered by
the artistic director who would later be the victim of a vicious
acid attack. Then, as Hallberg performed throughout the world at
the peak of his abilities, he suffered a crippling ankle injury and
unsuccessful surgery leading to an agonizing retreat from ballet
and an honest reexamination of his entire life.
Combining his powers of observation and memory with emotional
honesty and artistic insight, Hallberg has written a great ballet
memoir and an intimate portrait of an artist in all his
vulnerability, passion, and wisdom.
Combining his powers of observation and memory with emotional
honesty and artistic insight, Hallberg has written a great ballet
memoir and an intimate portrait of an artist in all his
vulnerability, passion, and wisdom.