The Bolshoi Theater canceled the premiere of Molochnikov after a letter from State Duma deputy Kuznetsov

Director Alexander Molochnikov will not participate in the production two operas at the Bolshoi Theater (GABT) operas “Francesca da Rimini” by Sergei Rachmaninov and “Florentine Tragedy” by Alexander von Zemlinsky, the premieres of which were scheduled for the new season. This publication reported NEWS.ru. The director of the Bolshoi Theater Vladimir Urin announced the refusal of Mr. Molochnikov’s services in response to a request from State Duma deputy Dmitry Kuznetsov, Mr. Urin’s letter is at the disposal of NEWS.ru.

Mr. Kuznetsov (Fair Russia – For Truth, SRZP) is the secretary of the working group to investigate anti-Russian activities in the field of culture (GRAD).

“We inform you that the previously planned participation of Molochnikov A.A. in the production of two one-act operas at the Bolshoi Theater in the 2022–2023 season. canceled,” the letter says on behalf of the general director of the Bolshoi Theater.

Mr. Kuznetsov asked to suspend the contract with the director (if any) until the position of Alexander Molochnikov on the military operation was clarified. Vladimir Urin said that Mr. Molochnikov “is not and has never been in an employment relationship with the Bolshoi Theater of Russia.”

GRAD participants intend to identify cultural figures with an “anti-state position” and their “accomplices” in state structures. According to the Cultural Front website, which covers the activities of the group, Alexander Molochnikov and Vladimir Urin were included in the list of “agents of foreign influence” who spoke out against the military special operation in Ukraine.

Read more in the publication “Kommersant” “SRs have opened a cultural front”.

Maria Fedotova