Sergei Polunin to replace ailing David Hallberg in Giselle with Natalia Osipova
David Hallberg has been forced to withdraw from his Spring engagements as he his still recovering from the surgery he underwent during the Summer of last year. In a thrilling casting coup, he will be replaced by Sergei Polunin for his performances on 10 and 11 April at Teatro alla Scala in Giselle. Polunin will be partnering Natalia Osipova and and making his début at La Scala.
Hallberg was returning to Milan after his success in Swan Lake with Svetlana Zakharova at the theatre in April 2014.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
I read your review of Hallberg in Nureyev’s Giselle and it sounded as though he really enjoyed dancing it. I wonder how Polunin will feel about it? Still since it’s his debut who knows? Hope you review his perf. I am certainly looking forward to it.
Unfortunately I’ll be in Rome for those performances, so no review. I would have liked to go. Hallberg danced in Nureyev’s Swan Lake by the way (with Zakharova).
I have been hoping to see more of this gloriously talented dancer on dvd. The beautifully opulent Bolshoi Ballet “Sleeping Beauty” was stunning,his control arabesque lie and controlled technique are superb.I hope he recovers from his injury and surgery. Here in South Africa we would love to see him …in the flesh.
could someone please tell me whwre i can purchase a DVD of sergai Polunin and Natila Osipova
Giselle region 0 or 4
Please help
Sharon