stage
Bolshoi Theater cancels performance after artist’s death
The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. Photo: Mikhail Japaridze / TASS / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
A tragic accident overshadows the Russian people’s opera “Sadko” in Moscow. An ensemble member lost his life when changing a set. The exact circumstances are still unclear.
After the death of a young artist during a performance at the world-famous Bolshoi in Moscow, the theater canceled another performance of the play planned for Sunday evening.
The performance of the Russian Volksoper “Sadko” was canceled, the tickets could be returned at the box offices, said the theater’s spokeswoman, Katerina Novikowa, to the German Press Agency in Moscow. On Saturday evening, the 37-year-old actor was crushed by part of the stage decoration at the “Sadko” performance.
He had a fatal accident when changing the set, said Nowikoa. She spoke of a “tragic event”, the circumstances of which must be clarified. Investigators were in the theater to investigate the exact course of the accident, said the authorities in the Russian capital.
The performance of the play by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was immediately interrupted on Saturday and the audience was asked to leave the hall, it said. Then the performance was canceled entirely. On the Internet channel Telegram eyewitnesses spoke of a “tragedy”. Some viewers said they initially thought the accident was part of the staging. Then someone on the stage called: «Stop! Stop! Call an ambulance! There is blood here. “
The Bolshoi is Russia’s largest state theater and world famous for its ballet and opera performances. Many world stars work there. A visit to the historical temple of the Muses with the largest theater stage in Russia and the 2500 seats in the magnificent hall is also popular with tourists from all over the world.