David Hallberg 16 years old Paris Opera School Audition

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

His feet are an absolute marvel. His technique is sublime. I hardly have the words. The way his foot collapses to soft arch through the foot with his tendus is incredible. The speaking feet of David Hallberg. His autobiography depicts much bullying from his french counterparts. No wonder! He was superior!

[@Briavel1]

By this time he had only been dancing ballet for like 2-3 years! Incredible!

[@lilronnyg5724]

I know right! a lot of boys don't even know the proper hand movements at his age

[@kathymyers7279]

R u kidding me? I didnt know that!

[@ixopo6715]

Any school in the world would grab him after a few seconds of seeing this, and what a glittering international career he has gone on to achieve. He is technically superb, with such a stage presence that he unintentionally commands the whole ballet he is dancing. I have seen him with the Misses Osipova and Zacharova, but I was always watching Mr Hallberg...

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

He has no weaknesses. He does everything to near perfection. I bow to you. You are splendid. No wonder other students bullied you. You were brilliant.

[@Phatcub]

Those feet and lines. He was always destine for greatness. At 16 and he was giving all that, now wonder he matured into a King of Dance!

[@olyakush]

Спасибо Дэвиду, Mr. Han и родителям Дэвида за выдающуюся поддержку, чтобы мы могли наслаждаться танцем этого уникального танцовщика. Stunning!

[@Meijimack]

I'm pleased that all the comments I see here are charged with admiration and adoration and not the all too common cheap homophobic shots that You Tube can attract. David Hallberg is a transcendental dancer, and it's great to see so many videos on You Tube featuring his work.

[@Hikutachama]

Well, David's gay, sooo. Not surprising?

[@Losangelesharvey]

judgedredd888 you are a troll

[@tobyix1569]

Actually, JudgeDredd888, an intelligent hard working guy, however gay, will always be more of a man that homophobic haters cowardly hiding behind the web. Just 4 U 2 know..

[@theresag1969]

I think you throw the first volley!

[@nomadfromkarlsruhe8259]

Ha gay

[@margaretnoble4805]

There is one word for this ... sublime. That one can be transported by the human body in ballet exercises is unique. This young man deserves the admiration of the ballet world, and its gratitude. Thank you for posting this footage.

[@freemont13]

7:35 might be the best preparation I've ever seen... he is a teacher's dream. Incredible dancer.

[@giuliaferrari4492]

He is simply extraordinary!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@sharonjoan9997]

I get soooo excited to find these gems! After reading his book I’m so invested and rooting for him like my own brother. His determination is so damn inspiring. Loooove how I feel after watching this😻

[@ukrainianballet_unofficial1344]

Destined to be a star

[@nolita88]

What is left to be said.....simply.....Exquisite!!!

[@maggiemorris6106]

Technical perfection. A joy to watch

[@kaylamadore5945]

The music is from the ballet "Etudes" choreographed by Harald Lander and can be bought on iTunes by searching "Riisager", clicking on the album titled "Riisager: Etudes, Qarrtsiluni & Erasmus Montanus Overture", and buying track 4 (Sillhouetter - Au Milieu) and track 6 (Port de Bras et Pas de Badin).

[@lilronnyg5724]

I think I know what I want for Christmas.

[@bu5angangsta]

OH MY GOODNESS ! Is this real ? *0* He is so amazing.... PERFECTION EXISTS

[@kaoutar-el-allam]

Amazing & exceptional! He was only 16!!!! Now I understand better why the Bolshoi welcomed him. Thanks for sharing this video :-)

[@Chelsea.Ballerina]

I'm so glad I got to watch him perform at the Sydney Opera House last year with Natalia Osipova. I'm so happy he is now based in Australia.

[@ixopo6715]

I am very pleased for him with his appointment as he obviously loves your country, but you are a long way from me in the U.K. 😕 I have seen him twice in London as he guested with the Royal Ballet for the 2019/20 season. Then I flew to Milan for a wonderful performance of Giselle at La Scala with Miss Zacharova. Some other dates were cancelled due to the awful pandemic, but I believe he will have a farewell gala in New York with ABT, which I hopefully will be able to attend. After that I am unaware of any other dancing commitments and I think he may then be all yours. 😊😊

[@PrincessGold1]

He is the new Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet.

[@katydidiy]

@@PrincessGold1 It sounds like David owes the therapy he received at the Australian Ballet for saving his career! He's so focused and dedicated - I predict a great collaboration 🍷

[@ramalamadingdong7576]

How wonderful. You’re so lucky. He’s an international treasure.

[@BerlinBoy1996]

These are those videos I watch when I want to get depressed thinking how much I suck.

[@MultiJalynn]

same.

[@thealmaherself]

lmao

[@thaliabk]

same

[@SuperLeonardo40]

WHY DO U SAY THAT MAN?

[@wyattkinsman]

Same

[@4willsey4]

Wow! No need to ask whether he got in.

[@TheLittleFrenchy2]

I've only seen a few seconds of the video so I haven't seen all his talent yet but let me just say this before I watch the rest : he has the most amazing feet. And that's not quite common among male dancers. I like him.

[@lovedeluxesd]

I have to agree. He has wonderful feet. His extensions are very unique as well. I've not seen a male dancer this flexible. His developpe a la seconde and the arabesque penché are very unusual for a male dancer. Hallberg's flexibility is extraordinary. He always has great aplomb. And considering that he was just 16 at the audition he has already more to offer than most male dancers. He is making history and setting the bar very high for all male dancers.

[@theresag1969]

He has a lot of technique under his belt at the tender age of 16 years old.

[@michelinearthebise2783]

super talented!

[@wagakokoro0524]

初め、動画だけ見て、「あ、美少女❣️」と思いましたが、字幕を見てびっくり❗️16歳の時のホールバーグ❗️少年時代から美形だったんですね、やっぱり❣️😍

[@AndreyVas2008]

Завораживающее зрелище! Он прекрасен.

[@nicolehourcade]

His dancing skills are already evident.Technically, his hands, his pirouettes, jumps are close perfect

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

All mysteries solved! Even the great and sacred Bolshoi honored him, a mere American. Now I know why. And he performs with the sacred seriousness of Russian ballet students his extraordinary technical level. He has a Russian soul. (And ended up with the great Natalia Osipova.)

[@barbarawest4195]

Must have been so hard for them to decide. 😂

[@SUPERTRAMP8323]

how beautiful!!

[@kathymyers7279]

Love the music he chose instead of piano class music. Shows hes DANCING not doing a barre

[@rolandsarraf]

Such an inspiration!

[@TenduYou]

FEEEEET.

[@letitsnow8518]

A star was born! ❤

[@DADA090161]

très beau "travail" que l'on a plaisir à regarder jusqu'au bout ! bravo !

[@susanpaul4752]

Beautiful product of a perfectly proportioned tall, slim body, excellent training, sustained dedication to study and TALENT. WoW!!!!!!!!!

[@MizQue]

David fulfilled his promise.

[@eileenaichan6361]

This is amazing

[@zerglam]

Love u David!!!

[@lolita7426]

Well, the music is by Czerny, arranged to the ballet Etudes.

[@laurelmartinez7955]

PERFECT

[@abianchi97]

Amazing

[@yvanno1]

Incroyable!!

[@miritaalejandra9706]

TALENTO NATURAL. UNA MARAVILLA 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@GeorgeOu]

And this is supposed to be his 4th year of formal ballet training.

[@MoreZmin]

perfect

[@mauriziopaggio6970]

Dotatissimo ! Con queste gambe , piedi allucinanti , apertura e tecnica il suo destino era segnato .

[@robertoamieva974]

Brilliant!

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Somehow his middle arabesque isnt extending fully. Other than that Halberg is shockingly exquisite.

[@angiearay]

OMG!! Its pretty obvious he was going to be Famous!

[@Ella-xs9bj]

Wow😍

[@lafollies]

WOW!

[@fernandaazambuja5489]

Bravo!!!

[@GIANTfromSIBERIA]

dude....this is the first american to get hired by the Bolshoi....principal,,,,,at the same time as he is principal at ABT....lol.

[@joeywhythehellnot8157]

awesome

[@Colass]

Bravo!

[@GIANNIMUSART]

Super gifted

[@icarrus4u]

Crazy technique!

[@mkgross11]

I used to dance in this studio at Ballet Arizona!

[@apollonessancr855]

Envy him!

[@Laurelberninteriors]

He was already in at 0:21.

[@r_espinosa_art]

I first saw at begining 0:21 that he could have like more perceptions at that grand plie at seconde but after i saw it was a thing of that moment, the guy is very hard working at each moment, learning puting his mind on, and this things that goes and come when hes working constructing at very high speed. 3:08 :O Im so glad he is at bolshoi now, beautiful.

[@rjjoe9941]

That point!

[@capitolbalet]

super!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beatricelafata4404]

What is the name of the music at the beginning?

[@sabrinamolina5963]

HE'S INCREDIBLE!!, he works better than a girl!!

[@JudgeDredd888]

He IS a Girl!

[@tobyix1569]

Actually, JudgeDredd888 an intelligent hard working guy will always be more of a man that homophobic haterscowardly hiding behind the web. Just 4 U 2 know..

[@user-tr2st5zh8p]

Природа щедро одарила юношу, грех плохо танцевать...

[@LatchezarLK]

Perfekt !!!!!

[@magiematt1]

does anybody know the name of the first music he's peforming on ? astonishing video...

[@rebeccakim9062]

👏👏 👏

[@leeky4591]

he got in... went there for a year

[@CrispinoRamos]

Was that video taken at Ballet Arizona studio?

[@amasam5408]

Crispino Ramos yes!

[@budafool]

Yes it is BAz studio.

[@Revyllat]

Here born a leyend

[@DCFunBud]

That was technically superb. What ballet school did he attend to produce such a thoroughbred? That fifth position! A bit of a bobble at 5:26, but he made a good recovery.

[@thaliabk]

Does someone knows what the exact name is of the first exercise??

[@annadanielatravaglio2196]

molto elegante,bravissimo

[@Natiree]

X_x too dazed.. can't speak.. ♥

[@Boy.gaeeee]

Nice ❤❤❤

[@mapavlova]

Quel cou-de-pied!

[@vladimmir100]

Просто удивительно - природные данные классического танцовщика. Хорошо, что он не сбился на выкрутасы теперешних чемпионов по балету.

[@DreamsontheWater]

I wasn't disputing you when you said that he needed to work on his masculinity. Perhaps a coach /did/ work with him on this, whether at the Bolshoi, or at ABT (where he was for ten years before). Personally, I disagree that he is too feminine in this video, and perhaps I'm wrong, but looking at him now, I don't think his presence has gotten so much more 'butch' than it is here. /Nureyev/ was said to be 'feminine'. There are many kinds of dancers- I think David is just the 'danseur noble' type.

[@tracyeveritt766]

Reminds me of Paul Draper, the greatest dancer of all.

[@vterry1993]

Does anyone know where he got his training up to this point. I can't imagine what the teachers watching this audition must have been thinking. What a dream.

[@miranda75289]

Ballet Arizona I think.

[@fevermagic]

Arizona Ballet School, under Mr Han Kee Juan.

[@isabellacervone976]

He went to Arizona school for the arts and ballet Arizona

[@isabellacervone976]

I go to those places as well

[@BabylonSistaah]

I was being facetious. OF COURSE he got in!

[@victoriabarker4577]

Born for ballet. And yet, the Paris Opera school faculty and students were so nasty to him. Bullied him. They should be totally ashamed of their behaviour. Anyway, he got the last laugh by becoming one of the best male danseurs of his generation.

[@mauriziopaggio6970]

Nato con incredibili doti naturali ... nato per essere famoso .... !!!

[@derealization1291]

I'd like to know what's the age limit?

[@Natalotos]

Он как нежный молодой росток, пробивающийся к свету.

[@seandunavant]

um...WHAT! wow!

[@BabylonSistaah]

Do you think he got in?

[@nicolehourcade]

Its a pity that he didn’t stay in opera de Paris.😤

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

They didn’t even want him! And they didn‘t let him take part at the grand defilé where all students of the school are presented to the audience. They treated him so badly in Paris, he was bullied all the time and the teachers didn‘t do anything about it. It’s a shame

[@nicolehourcade]

@@mathildewesendonck7225 i agree with you

[@John-mk3oe]

Yeah yeah...,he's got the body, extension, feet of a top ballerina

[@Walteralteralter]

lol this music its so intense its almost silly he squeezes every ounce of musicality out of it though -- good audition strategy

[@AvalonMorley]

But was all that music actually on the original video? I suspected that someone else may have put most of the music over the original, up until he started the bits of variations, where the sound quality changes considerably, and it seems he's actually dancing with that music. Before that, I wonder if there wasn't originally regular ballet class music, probably specially arranged, and played by a pianist. It's not uncommon to find videos on youtube, where people have overlaid music, that's not original to the video. ...Then again, having watched it again, I'm thinking I was wrong. Well, either way, he's marvelous here, and is more so now.

[@stevestevenson1486]

but did he get accepted?

[@kathymyers7279]

No. Too many boys that year. (Jk)

[@stevestevenson1486]

@@kathymyers7279 wow, changed days from my time! thank you

[@ixopo6715]

I understood that he sent a tape of himself to the Paris Opéra Ballet School, was accepted and studied there during 1999.

[@Federico498]

Etudes

[@timothyconstant]

I actually danced with Rudi and my take on him is that he was wonderfully charismatic but lacked technique. I never found him feminine, though. My point, which might be the point of one who is too old to actually know what happens in companies anymore, is that insofar as male principals are concerned, most companies look for men who are quite male rather than boyish or effeminate.

[@powerofalto]

My impression is that world class companies hire first class dancers, regardless of whether they are effeminate. This boy was obviously first class.

[@kathymyers7279]

Lacked technique?

[@MimisaysRAWR]

That turnout!!!

[@sanchezs168]

Tan solo ver esto se me ocurren unas cosas, atentamente: marge simpson.

[@DreamsontheWater]

[Continued] His very-elegant (girlish, if you like), refined presence is a large part of his appeal. I don't think you could ever make him like, say, Vasiliev. I wasn't trying to dispute your opinion- it's just personal taste. The reason I did comment was because your comments seemed incongruous and funny to me- you said, 'he will have something really marketable'- a statement which, when you look at in the context of David being one of the Greats of our time, seems comically understated. :)

[@powerofalto]

I find the comments about his supposed femininity to be homophobic and beside the point. He’s incredibly skilled and gifted. Enough said.

[@davidsmith3935]

Look not to criticize but what I see is he was missing head torso body spine placement stability. Simple fix is to take 1 2 3 4 year Vaganova class keeping to the basics. Then he will grow from there.

[@eduardasartorio8932]

He had only been doing ballet for 2-3 years in this video