World of The ballet is mourning the death of Vladimir Shklyarov, one of its principal dancers, writes the BBC, in the deaths of this Mariinsky Theater star.
His death, announced company in St. Petersburg on Saturday, is being investigated by federal authorities, according to Russian media. The reason that has already emerged, however, is that it was an accident.
Mariinsky officials revealed to the press that Shklyarov had fallen from the fifth floor of a building in St. Petersburg, adding that the dancer was being treated with painkillers for an injury. He would have surgery scheduled for this Monday, according to the British daily The Guardian.
“This is a huge loss, not only for the theater staff, but for the whole ballet contemporary,” the Mariinsky Theater said in a statement.
Vladimir Shklyarov was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) in 1985 and studied at the famous Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, the school associated with the Mariinsky, where he graduated in 2003. It was in that year that he entered in the Mariinsky, becoming a principal dancer in 2011.
Among his repertoire, in a career that lasted more than 20 years, was James i La SylphideDuke Albrecht in GisellePrince Désiré in Sleeping BeautyPrince Siegfried i Swan LakeBasilio entered Don Quixote or Romeo i Cheese and guava.
The dancer has performed in prestigious venues around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 2014 and 2015, he participated as a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre, which released a statement Sunday mourning the “tragic loss of an extraordinary artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences around the world,” wrote the company on Instagram. In 2016, together with his wife, he took a sabbatical from the Mariinsky and joined the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich for a year. He would return to St Petersburg, but his collaboration with Munich would continue.
Shklyarov has received several awards during his artistic career, including the Léonide Massine International Prize in 2008. He was also named an Honored Artist of Russia in 2020. “His name was forever inscribed in the history of ballet world”, declared the Mariinsky Theatre, which recalled this last distinction on Saturday, without referring to the fall.
In March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Shklyarov, according to the BBC and the publication Dance Australiaboth mentioned on the page dedicated to the dancer on Wikipedia, expressed their frustration about the conflict. “I am against any war!… I don’t want wars or borders.”
Some Russian dancers, according to the Guardiantribute to Shklyarov, like Irina Baranovskaya, who called his death “a stupid and unbearable accident” on the Telegram channel. Baranovskaya said Shklyarov “went out onto the balcony to get some air and smoke” and “lost his balance” on the ”very narrow balcony”.
News changed at 3:40pm: corrects the nickname Maria Shklyarova
How can the ballet industry improve dancer health and safety in light of incidents like Vladimir Shklyarov’s tragic accident?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Ballet Expert on the Legacy of Vladimir Shklyarov
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. The ballet world is deeply mourning the loss of Vladimir Shklyarov. As an expert in this field, can you share your thoughts on his impact on ballet and why his passing is such a significant loss?
Ballet Expert: Absolutely, it’s a heartbreaking loss that resonates deeply within the ballet community and beyond. Shklyarov was not just a principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theater; he was a luminary whose performances captivated audiences worldwide. His interpretations of classical roles like Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and Duke Albrecht in Giselle were renowned for their emotional depth and technical precision.
Time.news Editor: He had quite an illustrious career. Can you tell us more about his journey within the ballet world?
Ballet Expert: Certainly. Vladimir was born in Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in 1985. He was a product of the Vaganova Academy, one of the most prestigious ballet schools globally. Graduating in 2003, he quickly established himself at the Mariinsky, rising to principal dancer by 2011. He shared the stage with some of the best performers in the world and danced in iconic venues like the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera.
Time.news Editor: His repertoire is impressive as well, with an array of challenging roles. Which performances do you think defined his career the most?
Ballet Expert: His portrayal of James in La Sylphide and Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty stand out as defining performances. Each role showcased his remarkable ability to convey emotion through movement, capturing the essence of the characters he played. His talents weren’t just limited to classical ballet; he also excelled in character roles, such as Basilio in Don Quixote.
Time.news Editor: Following his tragic accident, there have been reports about his injury leading up to this event. What implications does this have for the industry, particularly regarding dancer health and safety?
Ballet Expert: This incident highlights a critical issue in the ballet industry—injury prevention and dancer welfare. The physical demands placed on dancers are immense, and often there can be a culture of pushing through pain to perform. It’s imperative that theaters and dance schools prioritize health over productivity. Shklyarov’s situation calls for a deeper examination into how we support dancers both physically and mentally to avoid such tragedies in the future.
Time.news Editor: There’s no doubt that Vladimir Shklyarov’s legacy will live on. How do you envision his influence continuing in the ballet community?
Ballet Expert: His artistry and dedication will undoubtedly inspire future generations of dancers. Shklyarov’s commitment to his craft and the emotional depth he brought to his performances set a standard for excellence. I believe his work will encourage upcoming dancers to aspire to express not just technique but also profound artistry. Additionally, it’s important for companies to honor his memory by fostering an environment that promotes holistic health and well-being in dance.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights. His passing is indeed a significant loss, and it’s crucial that we reflect on both his achievements and the lessons to be learned from this tragedy.
Ballet Expert: Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. It’s vital we remember Vladimir not just for his untimely departure, but for the extraordinary contributions he made to the art of ballet.