Gulbenkian

Description

Sergei Filin, the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, was savagely assaulted near his home by a man in a mask who threw acid to his face. As a result, Mr Filin suffered third-degree burns and has had several surgical interventions since. He will very probably lose sight in one eye and his recovery will take at least 6 months.

Due to this assault and the disruptions which resulted from it, the LIVE transmission of the RITE OF SPRING, scheduled on Sunday 31st at 17h (CET) is CANCELLED.

Here is the official press release from the Bolshoi and Wayne McGregor (the British choreographer in charge of the Rite of Spring project):

“The Directorship of the Bolshoi theatre of Russia with the production crew headed by the choreographer Wayne McGregor have come to a join decision to postpone of the production "Rite of spring" due to the fact that the artistic director of the ballet company of the Bolshoi theatre of Russia Mr.Sergei Filin is hospitalized. The date of the production will be determined after the artistic Director of the ballet returns back to the theatre”.

We, of course, deeply regret this cancellation beyond our control and the Bolshoi itself. The Bolshoi wish to express their deepest apologies to the loyal public of the LIVE transmissions.

REPLACEMENT :  ESMERALDA (recorded)

To give an alternative to the audience, to express our support to Sergei Filin and the Bolshoi, we have decided not to cancel the date and to show a different programme that day instead.

On 31 March we will now be screening ESMERALDA, recorded in Moscow on October 9th, 2011. Inspired by the novel “Notre Dame de Paris” by Victor Hugo, Esmeralda is a wonderful show and a popular ballet.

We apologise again for any inconvenience caused and hope our audience will be understanding and supportive of the Bolshoi during this difficult time.

Tickets: £15