Diana Vishneva ‘outraged’ by the appointment of Tsiskaridze at the Vaganova Academy

Valery Gergiev says he is delighted at the appointment of Nikolay Tsiskaridze as the new head of the historic Vaganova Ballet Academy, but not everyone is so happy.

Diana Vishneva, herself a graduate of the school in St Petersburg, is said to be outraged at the appointment, according to RIA Novosti.

There was no significant reason for changing the leadership of the school, and there was virtually no discussion with any of the ballet circle in St Petersburg. The Principal of the Vaganova Academy should be a person who has necessary preparation for such a post. Let's not forget that the school is first and foremost for children, and its head should be morally blameless. I'd like to believe that this is not the end of a great school.

And if that wasn't plain enough she continued,

The Academy means a lot to the world of ballet, and for me personally. I am painfully aware that this change in leadership of our legendary school could be a bargaining chip in someone's political game, and does not have any relation to the good of the Academy. I am indignant about the unceremonious way in which this replacement has been handled, and I think it's a feeling shared by all those who support the tradition of the Vaganova Academy, who teach in a school, or dance in the leading theatres, and have in their hearts the love of ballet.

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.