Breaking: Bolshoi is beheaded

Breaking: Bolshoi is beheaded

News

norman lebrecht

December 01, 2023

Bolshoi director Vladimir Urin told a staff meeting last night that he had completed his final day of work at the theatre. This morning, Vallery Gergiev will be introduced to staff as the new boss.

Some refer to him by Stalin’s title, ‘Vozhd’. Gergiev now holds absolute control of Russia’s two biggest opera houses, with a third subsidiary in Vladivostok and a growing footprint in China.

Gergiev, 70, is still power hungry, still close to Putin. His contract is for five years, or as long as Putin survives.

Urin, 76, stood no chance.

Photo: Laura Luostarinen

Comments

  • RW2013 says:

    So glad not to have to endure him anymore.

  • Brettermeier says:

    “Vladivostok”

    Soon to be Haishenwai again.

  • Fronck says:

    TURPS seemingly not the solution to stem the outflow of Urin but a go slow in the form of a’Pas d’Un’
    and des ‘Entre Pas 1.5’ by te Dancers might alter Events ?

  • Anonymous says:

    This doesn’t surprise me at all. Quite some time ago, I had read that Gergiev was the power behind getting funding for both theaters from Putin. Now that he is not welcome in many theaters, he probably aced his predecessor out to consolidate his power. I don’t think this will please the Bolshoi singers and dancers, but no one will dare say a word for fear of losing their jobs.

  • Bill says:

    Being as it’s Putin’s handiwork , defenestrated might be the more apt description.

  • Roger says:

    I doubt that the cast is happy with the change in leadership. I don’t know much about VG’s administrative skills but I definitely have an opinion about his ordinary musicianship and appalling conducting technique. He has been an over rated conductor in the West for much too long. I can best describe him as an authoritarian conductor with ordinary musicianship and obnoxious conducting skills.

  • Bunk Hill boy says:

    You mean “Reheaded”

  • Peter Schünemann says:

    SPb Historical stage = Mariinsky I
    New stage = Mariinsky II
    Concert Hall = Mariinsky III
    Vladivostok = Mariinsky IV
    Vladikavkaz = Mariinsky V.
    Bolshoi Theatre = Mariinsky VI (???)

  • Wellesz says:

    Gergiev is one of the greatest conductors, no matter what his political affiliations are with Putin & co. Let the man produce great music!

  • Yaron says:

    If only one russian is allowed to think, it is only logical that only one russian will be allowed to conduct…

  • Iphigenia in Aulide says:

    More details please?

  • Mick the Knife says:

    Congratulations to one of the greatest living conductors. I hope he starts coming to the US again to perform.

  • yes says:

    Just hahaha.
    Your propaganda is so funny.
    When you read it you think they are replacing a wise and experienced manager with some senile moron with Messianic complex, not with one of the best cinductors on the world.

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