Russian ballet crown prince' Vladimir Shkliyarov dies at 39-year-old diary

Photo Source: Yonhap News

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 16th that star dancer Vladimir Shkliyarov, dubbed the "prince of Russian ballet," has died at the age of 39.

The Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg, Russia, said in a statement that its chief dancer, Shikliyarov, had died on the night of 16th local time.After graduating from the Baganova Ballet Academy in 2003,
Shkliyarov joined the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet and rose to prominence as a principal dancer in famous works such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote and Giselle.

It has also solidified its global presence by performing in prestigious theaters around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, over the past 20 years.

In 2008, he was recognized for his achievements at home and abroad, including the Leonid Mashin Award.

Shkliyarov also played "Mongryong" in the Universal Ballet's performance of the creative ballet Chunhyang in South Korea in 2019.

According to local Russian media, Shikliyarov married Maria Shirinkina, a fellow member of the Mariinsky Ballet, in 2012.

Russia's state-run RIA news agency reported that authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of Shikliyarov's death, which they believe was a death by accident for now.

Former ballerina Irina Bartnovskaya wrote on her Telegram that Shikliyarov had been taking painkillers at home and preparing for foot surgery before her death.

He said Shikliyarov went out to a very narrow balcony to smoke and fell from the fifth floor in the accident.

The NYT has not confirmed whether Wartnovskaya's words are true, but said similar reports have been reported in Russian media, including St. Petersburg media outlet Pontanka.