Vladimir Shklyarov, a celebrated principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and an icon of Russian ballet, has died after falling from the fifth floor of a building on Saturday.
The Mariinsky Theater, where Shklyarov held the highest-ranking position as a principal dancer, confirmed his death, calling it “a huge loss for the entire Mariinsky Theater team.”
Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. According to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the “preliminary cause” of death has been deemed accidental. A source within emergency services told the outlet, “He died a natural death. It’s not a crime.”
Shklyarov’s death came just two days before he was scheduled to undergo complex spinal surgery. Russian media reported that the dancer had been relying on “serious painkillers” for an extended period, underscoring the physical toll of his illustrious career.
Tributes from the Ballet community
Diana Vishneva, a fellow principal dancer at the Mariinsky, mourned Shklyarov’s passing as a profound loss for the ballet world.
“You were so loved by your audience. You were the favorite partner of many ballerinas,” Vishneva wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute.
A stellar career
Born in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, Shklyarov trained at the esteemed Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, graduating in 2003. He joined the Mariinsky Theater the same year and became a principal dancer in 2011. Over two decades, he delivered spellbinding performances in iconic productions such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and Don Quixote.
Shklyarov’s talent earned him international acclaim, with guest performances at London’s Royal Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre in New York. His numerous accolades included the Léonide Massine International Prize in 2008 and his appointment as an Honored Artist of Russia in 2020.
A voice for peace amid war
In February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Shklyarov publicly voiced his opposition to the war. In a Facebook post shared by Alexei Ratmansky, a Russian-Ukrainian former ballet dancer, Shklyarov was quoted saying, “I am against the war in Ukraine! I am for the people, for a peaceful sky above our heads!” Ratmansky, a former director of the Bolshoi Ballet, had collected anti-war statements from prominent figures in the ballet community.
Shklyarov is survived by his wife, Maria Shirinkina, a fellow Mariinsky dancer, and their two children, a son and a daughter.
A legacy remembered
Vladimir Shklyarov leaves behind an enduring legacy in the world of ballet, celebrated for his artistry, dedication, and compassion. As tributes pour in from around the globe, the ballet community mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars.