Ballet world mourns as Vladimir Shklyarov dies in accident
Vladimir Shklyarov, a world-renowned Russian ballet star, has died at the age of 39 after falling from the fifth floor of a building. The Mariinsky Theatre confirmed the artist's death, and an investigation has been launched into the matter.
The Mariinsky Theatre spokesperson, Anna Kasatkina, reported in an interview with the Fontanka portal that Vladimir Shklyarov was taking strong painkillers due to a spinal injury and was scheduled to have surgery on Monday. On Saturday, November 16, Shklyarov died after falling from the balcony of a fifth-floor building.
RIA Novosti reported that an investigation into the artist's death has been launched, and preliminary results indicate it was an "unfortunate accident."
A world-renowned dancer has passed away
Vladimir Shklyarov was born in St. Petersburg in 1985. In 2003, he joined the Mariinsky Theatre ballet company, and in 2011, he was promoted to principal dancer—the highest rank in the ballet company.
The Mariinsky Theatre called his death a "tragic loss." In a statement, they said: "Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent. (...) He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet."
As noted by The Guardian, during his 20-year career, Shklyarov performed in ballet classics such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote, as well as contemporary productions like Christopher Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. He danced on stages worldwide, including at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London.
In 2013, Shklyarov married Maria Shklyarova, a colleague from the Mariinsky Theatre. The couple had two children.
