Nureyev, known as “the Lord of the Dance,” defected to the West in 1961 and had a turbulent sex life as an openly gay man. He eventually died from complications related to AIDS in 1993.
The ballet, an eagerly-awaited multi-genre production with new music and choreography, was directed by Kirill Serebrennikov.
Immediately, rumors and questions with diametrically-opposed answers swirled as to what precipitated the move, something that has not happened since Soviet times.
Was there a phone call from the government?
“There were representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church at the dress rehearsal, in civilian dress. They ran to Tikhon [a high-ranking priest rumored to be Vladimir Putin’s spiritual advisor]. Tikhon called [Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky]... Medinsky called [Bolshoi Theater Director Vladimir] Urin in a rage.”
“I can say with certainty that the [Culture] Minister spoke with the director of the Bolshoi Theater only after everything, after the decision to postpone the ballet.”
“I can swear on my profession that there was no such phone call and there were no directives handed down.”
Was it because the ballet was not ready?
“We understand that the production cannot be shown today in its present state on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater… We cannot solve the rehearsal-related problems in the two days that remain, that is clear. The Bolshoi Theater does not have the right to bring this to our audience without finishing it.”
“Don’t believe that the premiere was cancelled because the ballet wasn’t ready. Our profession’s slogan is ‘Always prepared.’”
What about the ballet itself?
“Neither the Russian nor world stage has produced anything of such scale and importance in the twenty-first century… Without question, Nureyev could become the post-Soviet Bolshoi Theater’s most successful and profitable ballet.”
“There was no ‘pornography’ in the production. The dance of transvestites in Cuba, an iconic photograph of nude Nureyev, by Richard Avedon, which flashes for several seconds in the back of the stage, and the main character in nude-colored briefs, as if naked, on a chair – that is the complete list of artistic tricks that could have provoked the displeasure of the Ministry of Culture.”
Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.
Russian Life 73 Main Street, Suite 402 Montpelier VT 05602
802-223-4955
[email protected]
