Full circle, or, David Hallberg does Byronic ballet

[bironic]

synn and I first went to the ballet last year because ABT did a production of "Le Corsaire" based on Byron's poem and I couldn't pass that up. The second time we went, we discovered the glory that is David Hallberg when he danced von Rothbart in "Swan Lake." As you may remember, dear DH is now a principal dancer in the company and has been getting lots of good press -- including this review from the New York Times on his role as Conrad (the lead in "Le Corsaire") last week:

Mr. Hallberg was a Byronic hero, his high, split leaps at the start reinforcing the impression of this young star as the most Apollonian of danseurs nobles. His easy, unforced technical feats were a special pleasure, as were his brashly commanding gestures.

Hee. Can't wait; only a few more days till my subscription kicks in!

(Excerpt from "'Le Corsaire' at American Ballet Theater," Jennifer Dunning, 27 May 2006)