Bolshoi won't renew star dancer's contract

June 9, 2013 @ 3:58 am


FILE - In this Friday, April 12, 2013 file photo Bolshoi principal dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze walks to a court to take part in the first hearing of a civil lawsuit he is bringing against the Bolshoi theater's general director as part of an effort to unseat him, in Moscow, Russia. The Bolshoi Theater announced late Saturday, June 8, 2013, that it has fired Nikolai Tsiskaridze, a veteran principal dancer and teacher who for years has been in open conflict with managers at the celebrated Russian theater. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, file) | Zoom

MOSCOW (AP) - The Bolshoi Theater won't renew the contract of Nikolai Tsiskaridze, a veteran principal dancer and teacher who for years has been in open conflict with managers at the celebrated Russian theater.

The dispute intensified after the Bolshoi ballet's artistic director was attacked in January by a man who threw acid in his face.

Bolshoi managers accused Tsiskaridze of inciting tensions within the theater that led to the attack, while Tsiskaridze portrayed the attack as the result of corruption and unfair treatment of dancers.

Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova said Sunday that Tsiskaridze was told his contract won't be renewed when it expires at the end of June.

Tsiskaridze, who joined the Bolshoi in 1992, said in an NTV television interview that he questioned the theater's right to let him go.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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