Gergiev headed the Bolshoi Theater, Urin was fired at his own request

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin by his order fired Vladimir Urin from the post of general director of the Bolshoi Theater. Conductor and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Gergiev has been appointed as the new general director.

Mr. Gergiev has been appointed general director of the Bolshoi Theater for five years. Mr. Urin was relieved of his post at his own request, the government press service clarified. He has headed the Bolshoi Theater since 2013.

Valery Gergiev was introduced to the Bolshoi Theater team by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. According to a video published by the magazine “Music life”, Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova is also present at the event at the Bolshoi Theater. During the meeting, Vladimir Urin thanked the theater staff for ten years of collaboration, writes Forbes. Valery Gergiev noted that his first step as the theater’s general director and chief conductor will be the production of the opera “Khovanshchina” by Modest Mussorgsky.

Valery Gergiev has been the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater since 1996. In the same year he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Russia. He was awarded three State Prizes of the Russian Federation, the titles of Honored Artist and Hero of Labor, as well as the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II, III and IV degrees and the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

Vladimir Urin was appointed general director of the Bolshoi Theater in July 2013. Later, his contract was extended twice: in August 2017 and in January 2022. Mr. Urin was supposed to head the Bolshoi Theater until 2027. Since November 2018, Vladimir Urin has been a member of the Council for Culture and Art under the President of Russia. Awarded the Order of Honor for his contribution to the development of Russian culture.