Artistic Director of “Helikon-Opera” sadly responded to the death of Vladimir Gorokhov

Dmitry Bertman: “He was one of the best theater directors in Moscow”

On January 18, during a trip to Mexico, Vladimir Gorokhov, director of the Helikon Opera, who gave this theater 27 years of his life, suddenly died of a heart attack. Colleagues, connoisseurs of theatrical art and, probably, the entire capital are shocked by this news. Vladimir Vladimirovich turned only 46 years old last summer, he was young, fanatically loyal to his work and full of creative plans. Dmitry Bertman, general director and artistic director of Helikon, commented on the death of a colleague to our correspondent.

– Volodya has been working with me since 1996, he was a part of me and the theater, a great professional, an honest person and very non-conflict. He adored artists, sent flowers to the stage incognito after performances. He was one of the best theater directors in Moscow. Theater “Helikon-Opera” was a pilot in the adoption of any rules and laws. And I always knew that we have complete order with everything related to financial activities. This is a huge, irreparable loss. He is indispensable – but he built such a system that the theater would work under any circumstances.

Our interlocutor is so upset that he admits: “I don’t want to think about how to proceed now. First of all, we must say goodbye to him, and then make some decisions.”

– How did the audience react to the death of Vladimir Gorokhov?

– A huge number of friends of the theater write to us, send condolences. Everyone knew and loved him. Although he always “went into the shadows”, he was unambitious and non-media. But every evening he went down and personally met the audience. And he was kind to everyone. At the emergency gathering of the troupe, when I announced what had happened, the audience screamed! And one of our people got up and began to sing a memorial prayer – and everyone picked it up …

– Those who are now passing by the “Helikon-Opera”, can guess from the appearance that the theater is mourning?

— Yes, we hung out a black flag at our service entrance.

Let us note in conclusion that the ashes of Vladimir Gorokhov will be brought to Moscow presumably on January 28th. Up to this point, it would be premature to talk about the time and place of parting with him.

“MK” joins the words of sympathy addressed to the theater, relatives, friends and all who knew the deceased.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28954 dated January 20, 2023

Newspaper headline:
Dmitry Bertman: “He was one of the best theater directors in Moscow”