MOSCOW, Russia – Vladimir Shklyarov, a celebrated Russian ballet artist and principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, has died at the age of 38 after falling from the fifth floor of a building on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The Mariinsky Theatre confirmed the news, mourning the loss of one of its brightest stars. “This is a huge loss for the entire Mariinsky Theatre team,” the company said in a statement.
Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of Shklyarov’s death, with the preliminary cause deemed accidental, according to RIA Novosti, a Russian state media outlet.
“He died a natural death. It’s not a crime,” a source in emergency services told the outlet.
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A Stellar Career Cut Short
Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Shklyarov graduated in 2003 from the prestigious Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, a training ground for many of the world’s greatest dancers.
He joined the Mariinsky Theatre the same year and rose to the rank of principal dancer in 2011, earning widespread acclaim for his artistry and athleticism.
Throughout his two-decade career, Shklyarov graced stages around the world, starring in iconic productions such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and Don Quixote.
His talent also earned him guest artist roles with renowned companies, including London’s Royal Ballet and New York’s American Ballet Theatre.
Among his many accolades, Shklyarov received the Léonide Massine International Prize in 2008 and was named an Honored Artist of Russia in 2020.
Diana Vishneva, a fellow principal dancer at the Mariinsky, paid tribute to her colleague on Instagram, calling his death a “tragedy” for the ballet world.
“You were so loved by your audience. You were the favorite partner of many ballerinas,” she wrote.
Shklyarov’s death comes just days before he was scheduled to undergo complex spinal surgery.
Reports indicate he had been experiencing chronic pain and had been prescribed strong painkillers, which may have played a role in the tragic accident.
A Voice for Peace
In the days following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Shklyarov publicly voiced his support for peace.
“I am against the war in Ukraine! I am for the people, for a peaceful sky above our heads!” he was quoted as saying in a Facebook post by Alexei Ratmansky, a Russian-Ukrainian former ballet dancer and director.
Ratmansky had been collecting anti-war statements from figures in the ballet world, highlighting Shklyarov’s courage in taking a public stance.
A Personal Loss
Shklyarov is survived by his wife, Maria Shirinkina, also a dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre, and their two children, a son and a daughter.
As tributes pour in from around the globe, the ballet world mourns not only the loss of a gifted artist but also a dedicated father and a voice for peace.
His contributions to the art of ballet and his legacy will remain etched in the hearts of fans and colleagues alike.
