Renowned Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov tragically passed away last weekend at the age of 39 after falling from a building. The police are currently investigating the incident.
On November 18, American media CBS reported on Shklyarov’s death, highlighting his tenure as the principal ballet dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre since 2011. Described as having captivating artistry and exquisite technique, Shklyarov drew countless audiences with his performances. The Mariinsky Theatre, a historic opera and ballet venue in the former Russian capital of Saint Petersburg, announced that his funeral will be held on Thursday, November 21.
The Russian media quoted a theater representative as saying that Shklyarov tragically fell from a fifth-floor balcony on November 16 after allegedly taking painkillers. He had scheduled back surgery for November 18.
In their statement, the Mariinsky Theatre expressed deep sorrow over Shklyarov’s passing, as did the global ballet community. However, the theater did not disclose the cause of his death nor provide further comments.
Shklyarov’s wife, Maria Shklyarov, is also a ballet dancer, and the couple has two children.
Shklyarov earned multiple accolades for his performances in classic ballets such as “The Nutcracker,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Manon.” He performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. According to the BBC, in 2014 and 2015, Shklyarov was a guest artist at the American Ballet Theatre in New York.
Reports indicate that Russian authorities are investigating Shklyarov’s death, with preliminary findings suggesting it may have been accidental.
Of note, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), some users have questioned the circumstances surrounding Shklyarov’s death, speculating that he may have been targeted and harmed due to his dissenting views against the Russian authorities.
Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Shklyarov had criticized Russia’s military actions on social media but later deleted the post. Following the conflict, several Russian arts figures, like Olga Smirnova, the principal ballet dancer at the Moscow Grand Theatre, chose to leave Russia in protest. Despite this, Shklyarov decided to remain in the country.