Farukh Ruzimatov: “The theatre has the best ballet company, the best conductors and singers”

On the eve of the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s 180th anniversary, its artistic leaders, those who represent the present and future of the theatre, explain — entirely subjectively — what the Mikhailovsky Theatre means to them personally and what episodes in its history they consider to be the most important and significant.

Farukh Ruzimatov, Advisor to the General Director, People's Artist of Russia
My collaboration with the theatre began in 1993 with a tour of Japan and it has gradually become a very important part of my creative life. One of my closest friends was Nikita Dolgushin, a brilliant ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher. I was carried away by Paquita, which he revived, and his Giselle was a real event. One of my most cherished memories is when we worked together on The Moor’s Pavane. Dolgushin helped me a great deal when I decided to revive Le Corsaire. Vladimir Kekhman, whom, by the way, I have also known since the early 1990s, when neither he nor I could have imagined that we would work together in the theatre, has become the best theatre director. I have never met anyone like him, with his unique feeling for productions and for people! The Mikhailovsky Theatre now has the best ballet company, the best conductors and singers.