#fateyev

Huge thanks to @_a.piacere_ on instagram for sending me this video, in which Yuri Fateyev addresses the fact that Eleonora Sevenard chose the Bolshoi over the Mariinsky. I know that Fateyev is people’s favourite punching bag (second only to Tsiskaridze), but I’ve always felt that a lot of the criticism directed at him is unjust.

Fateyev: “I didn’t offer Eleonora Sevenard a position in the corps de ballet... [We were discussing] soloist opportunities and career growth... She called me and said that she’s decided in favour of the Bolshoi. 

A compilation of responses to the miscellaneous questions, which came through ask recently. Thank you for asking.

What is your opinion on Fateyev? After reading multiple youtube comment sections on ballet videos, I've learnt that a lot of people are unhappy with him due to his casting/promotion decisions. I don't know much at all about the situation but was wondering if you could shed some light on this matter.

A word to the wise, never form an opinion based on what you read in the comments section. Especially on YouTube. If I’ve learned anything from closely following Tsiskaridze for several years, it’s that the truth is often the complete opposite to what people are saying online.

I like Fateyev. Mariinsky has had its fair share of scandals, and some of the choices made by the theatre’s management had completely misfired in the past, but show me a company anywhere in the world which is completely trouble-free.

The main complaint I hear against Fateyev (aside from Skorik’s promotion) is that he isn’t hiring VBA graduates, which is simply not true. Given how small the company is (compared to, say, the Bolshoi), the number of available places is limited, so the Mariinsky can only afford to take the cream of the crop. Which they do. The only star graduate they didn’t offer a contract in the last few years is Kovaleva, and I can actually understand their decision. Shakirova and Lukina shot through the ranks like nobody’s business, and many of the fresh graduates currently in the corps are getting amazing soloist and coryphee parts on regular basis.

In short, nothing is ever black and white.

Do you know roughly how tall Anna Smirnova is? I read somewhere that she was "well under five feet" but that seems highly unlikely to me??

I don’t know her exact height, but she’s tiny. Probably over fife feet though...

Whatever happened to Kimin Kim? I haven't seem any news or videos for some time.

He was injured. But he’s back now. He danced Basil, opposite Viktoria Tereshkina, in the Mariinsky’s “Don Q” in London recently. 

Is Maria Puart still dancing?

I don’t think so. I think she suffered an injury in her final year or immediately after graduation, and has since transitioned to acting.

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I don’t know for sure. It has always surprised and bothered me as well... Fateyev has been the Acting Director of the company since 2008! He succeeded Vaziev. I read somewhere that Vaziev left his position because he felt that he performed the duties of an Artistic Director, but Gergiev refused to promote him to this rank. Perhaps they added “Acting” to the title to highlight that the role is broader and more ambiguous than the name suggests? Or maybe Fateyev’s contract isn’t fixed / permanent? Who knows. I have a feeling Gergiev doesn’t like sharing power.