Acclaimed Russian ballet dancer dead after fall from 5th-floor balcony
Global News
The death is being investigated by federal authorities but "the preliminary cause" has been ruled an accident.
Vladimir Shklyarov, one of the ballet community’s leading dancers, died after a fatal fall from a fifth-storey balcony in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Mariinsky Theatre, where the 39-year-old was the top-ranking dancer, confirmed the Nov. 16 death.
“Tonight, the favorite of the public, the star premier of the Mariinsky Theatre, Honored Artist of Russia Vladimir Shklyarov, tragically died. This is a huge loss not only for the theatre’s staff but for all of contemporary ballet,” the company wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Saturday.
“Our condolences to the artist’s family, loved ones, friends and all the numerous admirers of his work and talent.”
According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the death is being investigated by federal authorities but “the preliminary cause” has been ruled an accident.
The ballet dancer’s representatives told the media that he fell from the fifth storey of a building while on painkillers, according to the BBC. Theatre spokesperson Anna Kasatkina said the dancer had been taking the medication for an injury and was scheduled to undergo spinal surgery this week.
Shklyarov became a principal dancer for Mariinsky Theater in 2011, performing in productions such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.
The incident took place more than a month ago, on October 13, but it wasn't reported until the British tabloids got wind of the story.
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