Press Secretary to the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, commented on the chatter about Valery Gergiev potentially taking the role of general director at the Bolshoi Theatre. He noted that there are no decisions yet about reforming the management structure of the Bolshoi. This update comes as news coverage outlines possible shifts in the leadership lineup of Russia’s premier theaters.
He reminded listeners that at various meetings, including those with presidential participation, several management options for the major theaters were discussed. Yet, he made clear that no final choice has been made.
The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that the theater head is not appointed by the president. He also pointed out that Vladimir Putin met with Gergiev and the Bolshoi’s current general director, Vladimir Urin, in St. Petersburg, while noting that the discussion there was not a formal briefing.
Gergiev has not ruled out the possibility of taking the post, and he told followers on his Telegram channel that we should wait and see how things unfold.
In a feature on Pavel Zarubin’s program “Putin” on Russia 1, the conductor did not deny the potential appointment but did not confirm it either. The interview highlighted that the Mariinsky Theatre already has a clearly defined sense of its responsibilities and capabilities, even as speculation swirls about crossovers between institutions.
“When three elements come together in harmony, it seems less crucial to focus on borders between cities, theatres, regions, or even countries,” the conductor remarked. He stressed that his schedule is demanding but that serving his country remains essential and necessary.
What is known about Urin’s departure
Forbes, citing an unnamed source, reported that Vladimir Urin, the Bolshoi’s current general director, submitted a voluntary resignation letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The move reportedly formalized in September after it became apparent that many heads of cultural institutions who signed a letter against the military operation in Ukraine would not remain in office for 2023. The signatories had urged an end to the operation in February 2022, and Urin was among them.
Urin’s wife, Irina Chernomura, told a television channel that her husband remains in his role for now but intends to step down once a successor is announced. Another report suggested Urin might resign around the time Gergiev would take over, implying administrative changes at the Bolshoi and possibly a consolidation of leadership across institutions.
Speculation circulated over whether Putin personally approved Gergiev’s appointment, with some observers noting that Mishustin and Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova were reportedly wary of the move, though the exact reasons remained unclear. November reports from Izvestia and Mash Telegram claimed Urin would depart and Gergiev would assume the Bolshoi helm, potentially overseeing both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky under a shared umbrella.
“A lot can change,” insisted the Bolshoi’s press service when asked about Urin’s alleged dismissal and Gergiev’s appointment. The Mariinsky Theatre’s press office likewise indicated they had learned of potential personnel changes from journalists. Peskov redirected inquiries when asked about Gergiev’s appointment, and the Ministry of Culture declined to comment on the material circulating in the media.
Igor Tsvirko, a principal at the Bolshoi, said he had no information, while soloist Daria Khokhlova admitted learning about possible reassignments only from media outlets. Khokhlova cautioned that a change in leadership is a significant development for a vast institution like the Bolshoi and could alter its trajectory.
Other candidates
Forbes has noted that several prominent figures at different times expressed interest in leading the Bolshoi, including former ballerina Nikolai Tsiskaridze, prima ballerina and former State Duma deputy Svetlana Zakharova, and leaders from other major theatres like the St. Petersburg Mikhailovsky and the Moscow Art Theatre. In earlier years, cultural figures who had petitioned Putin to appoint Tsiskaridze were publicized, underscoring the breadth of opinion on who should lead Russia’s flagship troupe.
Past discussions included requests to bring in a director who could steer large-scale expansions and integrations of theatres, reflecting a broader trend toward cultural consolidation. Voices from the dance world and theatre criticism periodically revisited the topic, underscoring how changes at the Bolshoi would reverberate through the country’s performing arts ecosystem.
It’s not about the Nutcracker
Reports emerged that complaints were filed about long ticket queues for the New Year’s Nutcracker, triggering inquiries to several state bodies and prompting calls for improved ticketing practices. One critic argued that the issue highlighted broader problems in live performance access, and others noted that leadership changes at the Bolshoi would not necessarily fix distribution or customer relations.
In conversations with critics, it was suggested that any discussion about leadership changes should be considered alongside the theatre’s ongoing mission to expand and diversify its programming. The idea that leadership could become a lever for broader cultural reorganization was a recurring theme in the discourse surrounding the Bolshoi and its sister institutions.
Ultimately, observers emphasized that leadership transitions in such a large operation would be guided by a vision for expanding artistic reach while maintaining the high standards that define Russia’s venerable theaters. The broader conversation underscored how theatres like the Bolshoi and Mariinsky serve as cultural anchors, shaping the nation’s artistic identity well beyond the stage.