In 2014, this prominent dancer, danseur noble, the worldwide fan favorite suffered serious injury and took a forced time-out. The pause was delayed, the treatment didn't get much result. The whole ballet world empathized with him, however never gave up hope and waited for his return.
The waiting period has been stalling for more than two years. The dancer tried himself in different fields and even wrote a book with a bitterly ironic title – A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back. Recording and reading again his life, David Holberg came to the conclusion that nothing could ever replace what was intended by nature and fate. He decided to fight – and once having been on the edge, returned. His treatment (a very long one) was conducted by the doctors working with artists of the Australian Ballet. It was at the performance of this ballet company, when David Holberg came on stage after recovery – he made his debut as Franz in Coppelia.
Conquered by his courage (coupled with talent and worldwide fame) the Australian Ballet awarded the dancer the title of resident guest artist, which had not been offered to anyone before. Then David Hollberg worked again with Alexei Ratmansky, who staged for him a role of Prince Coffee in Whipped Cream. On many occasions, he danced in Australia (The Sleeping Beauty), at his native ABT. There, after the performance of Giselle, in which he danced opposite his beloved partner Natalia Osipova, the delighted audience sang Happy Birthday, since it was on the 18th of May (2018) - both artists’ birthday. This Summer David Hallberg performed in Apollo at the Mariinsky Theatre.
As for us, the Bolshoi Ballet was always hoping for a meeting with the brilliant dancer. With the dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet. Indeed, without losing touch with ABT David Hallberg was a member of our company for several years. And when he went home, he promised to come back one day!
Art. Lebedev Studio