Vladimir Shklyarov, a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Theater, passed away on November 16, 2024, at the age of 39.
Shklyarov’s death was announced by his dance company, with a statement expressing their deep sorrow and condolences to his family, loved ones, and fans.
According to Anna Kasatkina, a representative for the Mariinsky Theater, Shklyarov’s death occurred when he fell from the fifth floor of a building while taking painkillers in preparation for a complex spinal surgery scheduled for November 18.
Kasatkina revealed this information to local news outlet Fontanka.
The Mariinsky Theater described Shklyarov’s passing as “a huge loss not only for the theater’s staff but for all of today’s ballet art.”
They praised his “boundless creative abilities” and acknowledged the numerous awards he received throughout his career. “He forever inscribed his name in the history of world ballet art,” the statement read.
Shklyarov’s impressive career spanned over two decades, beginning when he joined the Mariinsky Theater ballet troupe in 2003 after graduating from the Academy of Russian Ballet.
He was promoted to principal dancer in 2011 and went on to perform leading roles in iconic productions such as La Sylphide, Giselle, Corsaire, La Bayadère, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet.
American Ballet Theater, where Shklyarov was a guest dancer in 2014 and 2015, paid tribute to the ballet star on Instagram.
“He left an indelible mark on our stage and in our hearts,” they wrote. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance. Rest in peace, Vladimir. Your light will continue to shine through the beauty you brought to this world.”
Shklyarov also performed with prestigious institutions such as New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal Opera House, and Washington DC’s The Kennedy Center.
Born in Saint Petersburg in 1985, Shklyarov is survived by his wife, ballerina Maria Shylyarov, and their two young children.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Shklyarov’s death has been launched, with preliminary findings indicating an accidental cause.
