The artistic director for the Bolshoi Theater’s legendary ballet company has been fired, a news agency said Thursday, continuing a shakeup of the company’s leadership.
Alexei Fadeyechev, who called a news conference several days ago to criticize changes made by the theater’s new leadership, was quoted by Interfax as saying he had been handed an order canceling his contract.
Fadeyechev blamed his dismissal on the new leadership and “first of all, on Culture Minister Mikhail Shvydkoi.” Fadeyechev headed the ballet half of the Bolshoi, which also has a highly regarded opera company.
President Vladimir Putin put the Bolshoi under Culture Ministry control about a month ago. Government officials said the changes were needed to jump-start theater renovations.
