#hallberg

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A long but wonderful article.

“Why would David Hallberg, lauded from Moscow to New York, move to Melbourne to take the helm of The Australian Ballet? Because many years ago, in his hour of need, the company was there for him.”

If Maya Plisetskaya was not a soubrette ballerina, what type of ballerina was she? What’s a soubrette ballerina and what are the different types of ballerina?

I don’t think Plisetskaya can be pigeonholed. She was unlike anyone else and completely ahead of her time. 

I don’t hear the term soubrette used very often. In fact, I don’t think the typecasting or emploi are really given much thought anymore, though some people, like Tsiskaridze, are very strict about emploi and believe that, by and large, a dancer should only perform the roles they are suited for. The dancer’s height, mannerisms and style all play a role when it comes to determining their emploi. This is why he never danced Basilio, though many people believed that he’d fit the role perfectly. Nikolai, however, was a lyrical dancer through and through, whereas Basilio requires explosive energy. 

Soubrettes are usually short, energetic, naughty and full of life. This is a comedic emploi. I think the term originated in Commedia dell'arte, more specifically from the character of servetta (a serving maid willing to assist her mistress in all sorts of affairs and naughtiness).

I remember some people have asked about dancer's toes in pointe shoes. Recently there's been a picture on instagram floating around from the Australian Ballet Ankle Study that shows how they stand on pointe, have you seen it?

Thank you, I knew about this but had completely forgotten to post it. La Trobe University has been doing some interesting research in partnership with the Australian Ballet. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find the image you’re referring to but La Trobe’s research is interesting and I’d recommend checking them out. Also, let’s not forget that it was the physio team at the Australian Ballet who brought David Hallberg back from the brink of oblivion. Those guys are miracle workers and La Trobe trains a lot of them.

When I saw how tall Kondaurova is, I was shocked! I knew she was tall but I didn’t think quite so much. Isn’t Alyona of a similar height but didn’t get offered a job by Mariinsky for it?

Apparently (according to the message below), Kondaurova is 177cm (5ft8in). Alena is closer to 180cm (6ft), so her height would be more of an issue for Mariinsky, as it’s a smaller company and there are few men who could successfully partner her.

Kondaurova has stated she’s 177cm on her Instagram, FYI.

I love how Kondaurova’s height of all things has become such a contested subject on this blog.

A compilation of responses to the miscellaneous questions which came through Ask recently. Thank you for asking.

Sorry if this is a weird question, but you know why Darya Ustyuzhanina is listed in Mariinsky's Corp de ballet on their website? I was thinking she had ~2 years to graduation, unless in Russia her name (both first and last) is common...?

That’s a different Daria Ustyuzhanina.

I read the Ballet Insider interview with Alena and I was really surprised she did not get an offer from the Mariinsky! Any thoughts as to why she didn't?

Your guess is as good as mine. It could have something to do with her height, but I’m really not sure. 

Do you think that David Hallberg will return to the Bolshoi in the fall?

He might, eventually, after he builds up his strength and regains his repertoire. He’s still listed as a principal dancer on the Bolshoi’s website.

Hi! Not sure if you know the answer, but was wondering what happens if you leave VBA say at the end of 6th year. Can you still fit into a mainstream high school curriculum easily? It's just VBA obviously places more stress on ballet, would it be hard for them to go to normal school and would they need to be placed in a year lower or something?

Placement-wise, I’m not sure how it works. I think it depends on the high-school and the student in question. By all accounts, VBA’s academic program is weaker than that at a normal school. 

Not every student who gets dropped by VBA quits ballet, though. Many go on to train at other academies and ballet schools. There are also some cases where a student is so smart and advanced academically, that they manage to re-enter the “normal world” without much drama.

Is there any guideline to how short the girls can cut their hair at VBA? It's just so many roles require wigs, but I've never seen a girl with really short hair there!

I think it just has to be long enough for a bun.