The Mariinsky Theatre to host evening in memory of Vladimir Shklyarov with artists from the Mariinsky and Bolshoi ballets

On 9 February, the birthday of Honoured Artist of Russia Vladimir Shklyarov, the Mariinsky Theatre will host an evening dedicated to the memory of the brilliant danseur noble on its Historic Stage. The beloved artist, who tragically passed away in November last year, would have turned forty on this day.

The commemorative evening, titled The Magic of Vladimir Shklyarov, will feature stars of both the Mariinsky and Bolshoi ballets. Arseny Shuplyakov will conduct the Mariinsky Orchestra.
The evening will commence with Act III of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, a rarely performed reconstruction of the opulent 1890 production, choreographed by Marius Petipa and revived by Sergei Vikharev. The principal roles will be danced by Renata Shakirova and Philipp Stepin, with Maria Shirinkina as Princess Florine and Yevgeny Konovalov as the Bluebird.

The second part of the programme will feature a gala performance with soloists from the Bolshoi Ballet – Svetlana Zakharova, Artemy Belyakov, Igor Tsvirko and Vladislav Lantratov – and the Mariinsky Ballet: Maria Shirinkina, Ekaterina Kondaurova, Konstantin Zverev and Maxim Ismestyev. The programme includes masterpieces from the treasury of ballet, showcasing roles in which Vladimir Shklyarov shone as both a soloist and an attentive partner. His artistic range was truly boundless, encompassing everything from fairytale princes to spirited rogues – this versatility will be celebrated in the second half of the evening. Dancer and choreographer Vladimir Varnava, with whom Shklyarov collaborated extensively, will also perform. In addition to the gala programme, the second part will include excerpts from video recordings featuring Vladimir Shklyarov.

The evening will conclude with the majestic and mesmerising Kingdom of the Shades scene from Minkus’ La Bayadère, with Viktoria Tereshkina and Kimin Kim in the principal roles.
Furthermore, a commemorative photographic exhibition will open at the White Foyer of the Mariinsky Theatre’s Historic Stage on this day. The exhibition will showcase a kaleidoscope of the numerous characters created by Vladimir Shklyarov over two decades of his vibrant stage career.