Vladimir Shkliarov, one of the most outstanding ballet dancers in the world, has died – reports “The New York Times”, citing the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, where the deceased performed. The investigative committee initiated an investigation into the case and initially reports that the cause was an accident.
Information about the death of Vladimir Shkliarov was published on the website of the Mariinsky Theater on Saturday. “Tonight, the audience's favorite star, the star of the Mariinsky Theater, died tragically (…). It is a huge loss not only for the theater, but also for the entire ballet world. We express our condolences to the artist's family, friends and numerous fans of his work and talent,” we read on the website.
Causes of death of Vladimir Shkliarov
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has initiated an investigation into Shkliarov's death, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, adding that the cause was an “unhappy accident.”
The Mariinsky Theater does not provide the circumstances of the death of the 39-year-old dancer in the information on its website. The BBC, citing media reports, writes that he fell from the fifth floor. “NYT” quotes a social media report by former ballerina Irina Bartnovskaya, according to which Shkliarov was preparing for surgery and taking painkillers. According to this account posted on Telegram, he was at home and went out to the “very narrow” balcony to smoke. Then there was an accident. As the New York daily emphasizes, the ballerina's account is not verified, but similar reports appeared in the Russian media. RIA Novosti also reports on preparations for the “complicated spine surgery” that the ballet master was to undergo on Monday.
The artist was 39 years old. As “NYT” reminds, during a career spanning over two decades, Shkliarov gained international recognition, performing, among others, at the New York Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London and many other largest ballet stages in the world. He was the husband of the dancer Maria Shklyarov, with whom he had two children.
After the explosion war in Ukraine The BBC quoted a post from social media in which Shkliarov allegedly described himself as an opponent of the war. “I am for people, for a peaceful sky above our heads,” he was to write in 2022.
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