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Bolshoi chief sacked by Russian culture minister Bolshoi chief sacked by Russian culture minister
(about 9 hours later)
The chief of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre has been fired after months of infighting in the wake of an acid attack on its artistic director that has stained the reputation of one of the most illustrious names in world ballet.The chief of Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre has been fired after months of infighting in the wake of an acid attack on its artistic director that has stained the reputation of one of the most illustrious names in world ballet.
The departure of Anatoly Iksanov, the theatre's director general, comes just a few weeks after his rival, principal dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze was forced out. Both men had enjoyed the backing of senior government officials and Kremlin-connected tycoons, and their successive dismissals appear to reflect high-level intrigue and score-settling. The departure of Anatoly Iksanov, the theatre's director general, comes a few weeks after his rival, principal dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze, was forced out. Both men had enjoyed the backing of senior government officials and Kremlin-connected tycoons, and their successive dismissals appear to reflect high-level intrigue and score-settling.
The Russian culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky, said only that Iksanov, 61, who led the Bolshoi for nearly 13 years, was dismissed because of a "difficult situation at the theatre".The Russian culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky, said only that Iksanov, 61, who led the Bolshoi for nearly 13 years, was dismissed because of a "difficult situation at the theatre".
He told a news conference that the head of Moscow's No2 ballet company, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, would succeed Iksanov. He told a news conference that Vladimir Urin, the head of Moscow's No2 ballet company, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, would succeed Iksanov.
The Bolshoi has been shrouded in scandal for years but a fierce conflict erupted in January after an assailant threw acid into the face of its artistic director, Sergei Filin. After numerous eye and facial surgeries, Filin has remained at a German clinic where doctors are trying to save his sight. The Bolshoi has named an acting artistic director. The Bolshoi has been shrouded in scandal for years, but a fierce conflict erupted in January after an assailant threw acid into the face of its artistic director, Sergei Filin. After numerous eye and facial operations, Filin has remained at a German clinic where doctors are trying to save his sight. The Bolshoi has named an acting artistic director.
Iksanov accused Tsiskaridze of creating an atmosphere of discord that set the scene for the attack. The 39-year-old dancer rejected the claims and argued that the theatre had been plunged into crime and violence under Iksanov's watch.Iksanov accused Tsiskaridze of creating an atmosphere of discord that set the scene for the attack. The 39-year-old dancer rejected the claims and argued that the theatre had been plunged into crime and violence under Iksanov's watch.
Iksanov managed to cling to his job for months despite fierce attacks from Tsiskaridze. He seemed even to have won the battle when Tsiskaridze was forced out after his contract expired on 1 July.Iksanov managed to cling to his job for months despite fierce attacks from Tsiskaridze. He seemed even to have won the battle when Tsiskaridze was forced out after his contract expired on 1 July.
But Alexei Pushkov, a powerful Kremlin-connected lawmaker, suggested that a high-level power struggle was under way when he tweeted that Tsiskaridze's dismissal was "the last straw" that led to Iksanov's removal. He added that an ex-culture minister who has been Iksanov's patron was trying to prevent Tsiskaridze's return to the theatre. But Alexei Pushkov, a powerful Kremlin-connected politician, suggested that a high-level power struggle was under way when he tweeted that Tsiskaridze's dismissal was "the last straw" that led to Iksanov's removal. He added that an ex-culture minister who has been Iksanov's patron was trying to prevent Tsiskaridze's return to the theatre.
The decision to purge both men also appears to reflect the Kremlin's dismay over the infighting that has dented Russia's prestige.The decision to purge both men also appears to reflect the Kremlin's dismay over the infighting that has dented Russia's prestige.
In March, police arrested Bolshoi soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko on suspicion of involvement in the acid attack. Dmitrichenko admitted that he had agreed to an offer from an acquaintance to rough up Filin, but he insisted that the man had used acid on his own initiative. In March police arrested Bolshoi soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko on suspicion of involvement in the acid attack. Dmitrichenko admitted that he had agreed to an offer from an acquaintance to rough up Filin, but he insisted that the man had used acid on his own initiative.
Despite Dmitrichenko's confession, many in the ballet company have stood by him, saying they do not believe him capable of staging such a crime. About 300 dancers and staff, led by Tsiskaridze, signed an open letter claiming that Dmitrichenko had slandered himself under police pressure.Despite Dmitrichenko's confession, many in the ballet company have stood by him, saying they do not believe him capable of staging such a crime. About 300 dancers and staff, led by Tsiskaridze, signed an open letter claiming that Dmitrichenko had slandered himself under police pressure.
Dmitrichenko has remained in custody pending trial.Dmitrichenko has remained in custody pending trial.
The Bolshoi has served as a key symbol of Russia's artistic achievements since the time of the tsars. Its annual budget stands at an impressive $120m, 10 times more than a decade ago.The Bolshoi has served as a key symbol of Russia's artistic achievements since the time of the tsars. Its annual budget stands at an impressive $120m, 10 times more than a decade ago.
The Bolshoi reopened in 2011 after a $1bn renovation. Despite the lavish sum, some of the work was of poor quality, with cracks appearing in the walls and gold leaf crumbling away.The Bolshoi reopened in 2011 after a $1bn renovation. Despite the lavish sum, some of the work was of poor quality, with cracks appearing in the walls and gold leaf crumbling away.
Tsiskaridze has accused Iksanov of mismanaging the reconstruction, ruining its repertoire and abusing dancers' rights. Iksanov and his backers have dismissed the criticism.Tsiskaridze has accused Iksanov of mismanaging the reconstruction, ruining its repertoire and abusing dancers' rights. Iksanov and his backers have dismissed the criticism.
Some said that a recent conflict involving prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova may have contributed to Iksanov's downfall. Last week, Zakharova refused to dance in Eugene Onegin following a rift over parts with the management.Some said that a recent conflict involving prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova may have contributed to Iksanov's downfall. Last week, Zakharova refused to dance in Eugene Onegin following a rift over parts with the management.
Vladimir Urin, the new Bolshoi chief, is widely respected in Russia's theatre world. He sought to dampen passions, voicing hope for a "calm and businesslike" climate and saying that he doesn't want any "revolutions".Vladimir Urin, the new Bolshoi chief, is widely respected in Russia's theatre world. He sought to dampen passions, voicing hope for a "calm and businesslike" climate and saying that he doesn't want any "revolutions".