- Russian Ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov dies at 39 after balcony fall
- Shklyarov’s death is under investigation by Russian authorities
- Reports suggest he fell from the fifth floor of a building in St. Petersburg while on painkillers
Russian Ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov dies at 39 after balcony fall
The ballet community is grieving the loss of Vladimir Shklyarov, a principal dancer with Russia’s prestigious Mariinsky Theatre, who passed away at age 39. Shklyarov’s death, confirmed by the Mariinsky on Saturday, is under investigation by Russian authorities. Reports suggest he fell from the fifth floor of a building in St. Petersburg while on painkillers.
The Mariinsky Theatre described Shklyarov as an “extraordinary artist” whose talent inspired fans worldwide, calling his passing a “huge loss for contemporary ballet.” Tributes poured in from around the globe, including from the American Ballet Theatre, where he performed as a guest artist in 2014 and 2015.
Born in Leningrad, Shklyarov graduated from the renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in 2003 and joined the Mariinsky Theatre the same year. He became a principal dancer in 2011 and performed lead roles in iconic ballets such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, and Giselle. His career took him to some of the world’s most famous stages, including London’s Royal Opera House and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
Shklyarov’s artistic achievements earned him numerous accolades, including the Léonide Massine International Prize in 2008. In 2020, he was named an Honoured Artist of Russia.
He is survived by his wife, fellow Mariinsky dancer Maria Shklyarov, and their two children.