The Russian Minister of Culture has confirmed that Nikolay Tsiskaridze will perform for the last time on the Bolshoi’s stage in performances of The Nutcracker, leading up to his fortieth birthday on 31 December.

At a meeting of the Theatre Workers’ Union this morning, the minister Vladimir Medina, together with Bolshoi director Vladimir Urin, said that these would be benefit performances, reported RIA Novosti:

We are in agreement with Urin that Tsiskaridze should be offered some benefit performances of the Nutcracker, giving him the chance to say farewell to the Bolshoi.

said Medina.

He is a great artist and deserves this opportunity to say goodbye.