Russian Ballet Star Vladimir Shklyarov Tragically Dies at 39
Acclaimed Russian ballet dancer and Mariinsky Theater star, Vladimir Shklyarov, passed away at the age of 39. He fell from the fifth floor of a building, as confirmed by a theater spokesperson. The unfortunate event took place on Saturday and has been termed as a potential accident.
Investigations Underway
A federal inquiry has been initiated to investigate the tragic incident. Shklyarov, who had been suffering from back pain and was taking painkillers, was scheduled to undergo spinal surgery on Monday. The theater’s spokesperson, Anna Kasatkina, shared these details with the Russian media.
A Storied Career
Born in St. Petersburg in 1985, Shklyarov joined the Mariinsky Theater in 2003. He rose to the prestigious position of principal ballerina in 2011. Throughout his illustrious 20-year career, he starred in globally revered productions such as “Swan Lake”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Don Quixote”, and Christopher Wheeldon’s “Alice in Wonderland”. He showcased his talent on international platforms, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London.
Condolences and Tributes
The news of his death caused a wave of mourning within the ballet community. Fellow dancers and colleagues paid tribute to Shklyarov, remembering him as an extraordinary artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences worldwide. The Mariinsky Theater referred to his death as “a huge loss”, and condolences were extended to his family, friends, and admirers. Shklyarov is survived by his wife, fellow Mariinsky Theater dancer Maria Shirinkina, and their two children.
Russian ballet dancer, Irina Baranovskaya, referred to the incident as “a stupid, unbearable accident” on Telegram. She shared that Shklyarov had stepped onto the balcony for some air and lost his balance due to its narrow structure. Diana Vishneva, another Mariinsky ballerina, expressed her feelings of sadness and emptiness, referring to the incident as a shared tragedy for their theater.
The American Ballet Theater, where Shklyarov was a guest performer in 2014 and 2015, commemorated him on Instagram. They remembered him as an artist whose grace and passion inspired audiences around the globe and expressed their hope for his peaceful rest.
