559 replies to this topic

[cinnamonswirl]

Herman Stevens, on 05 March 2013 - 10:37 AM, said:

canbelto, on 03 March 2013 - 10:11 AM, said:

Here is the exact Joy Womack mention/quote (typing as I look at p. 37 of the hard copy):

Dancers have been known to place pieces of glass in a rival's slippers just before the curtain rises. Joy Womack, an American dancer in the Bolshoi's corps de ballet, says she was once the victim of such sabotage, which left both of her feet covered in blood. "The pressure made her do it," she says of the dancer she believes placed glass in her shoes.

And how would they do this? Dancers typically put their 'slippers' (pointe shoes?) on in their dressing room.

And most dancers make sure everything is just so with their shoes.

This has a distinct Black Swan sound.

Maybe the perpetrator was inspired by Black Swan?

Dancers in the corps usually share a 1 or 2 big group dressing rooms.

Most people prep a bunch of shoes at once and then use them as needed. She probably didn't look inside the box right before she put them on. I'm sure she looks inside now.

[Cygnet]

Natalia, on 06 March 2013 - 05:59 AM, said:

I fear for Vorontsova's career, too, even if due to 'guilt by association.'

This is a shame.  I've seen Vorontsova dance in the "Swan Lake" pdt, and she is delightful, very talented and
has potential. If she's lucky she will keep her job.  Unfortunately, that seems to be unrealistic (now) given the circumstances.  Furthermore, I think that if she remains she may be demoted.  It's also very doubtful that she
will attain O/O (at the Bolshoi), let alone other leading roles and promote. I'd be very surprised if that happens.  
My guess is that this couple will be purged from the Bolshoi Theatre.

[Drew]

Cygnet, on 06 March 2013 - 07:27 AM, said:

Natalia, on 06 March 2013 - 05:59 AM, said:

I fear for Vorontsova's career, too, even if due to 'guilt by association.'

This is a shame.  I've seen Vorontsova dance in the "Swan Lake" pdt, and she is delightful, very talented and
has potential. If she's lucky she will keep her job.  Unfortunately, that seems to be unrealistic (now) given the circumstances.  Furthermore, I think that if she remains she may be demoted.  It's also very doubtful that she
will attain O/O (at the Bolshoi), let alone other leading roles and promote. I'd be very surprised if that happens.  
My guess is that this couple will be purged from the Bolshoi Theatre.

I can't speculate about what will happen to Vorontzova since she has not even been accused of involvement, but as for guessing that Dmitrichenko will be purged from the theater...Seriously? If he's found guilty, then that's the least that will happen to him--no guessing involved.  And the confession, assuming that has been accurately reported, presumably means he will be found guilty.

I will say that given Dmitrichenko's and Vorontzova's closeness to Tsiskaridze (reflected in the quote mentioned above in which he defends Dmitrichenko), one better understands  Iksanov's claim that Tsiskaridze's attacks on the management helped create the atmosphere in which the attack happened (since presumably Iksanov had some idea that Dmitrichenko was a main suspect)--I say that even though I tend to think that under the circumstances of a criminal investigation Iksanov should have been more restrained.

[puppytreats]

Drew, on 06 March 2013 - 08:15 AM, said:

I will say that given Dmitrichenko's and Vorontzova's closeness to Tsiskaridze (reflected in the quote mentioned above in which he defends Dmitrichenko), one better understands  Iksanov's claim that Tsiskaridze's attacks on the management helped create the atmosphere in which the attack happened (since presumably he had some idea that Dmitrichenko was a main suspect)

What does this mean?

[Mashinka]

I will just say that if the police had investigated the cyber attack on Yanin properly in all likelihood none of this would have happened, factions are inevitable when an injustice was not just ignored but possibly condoned.

I find it odd that so many writing here immediately assume that all guilt is down to Tsiskaridze, has anyone even considered that his criticism of the Bolshoi management might actually be justified?

[Mme. Hermine]

Some video here as well as a machine translation:

http://lifenews.ru/news/111458


Alexander Grigoriev, Life News Online

14:52, Saturday March 6, 2013
Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, Paul Dmitrichenko pleaded guilty, but said he did not want to pour acid opponent.

Detained for organizing attacks on the Bolshoi ballet master Sergei Filin, 28, dancer Paul Dmitrichenko though admitted that the customer is a crime, says the acid attack on the artistic director of the theater was not his idea.

- Yes, I organized the attack, but not to the extent that it occurred - told police Dmitrichenko.

A source Life News, close to the investigation confirmed Paul Dmitrichenko version of the reasons for the attack. With Sergei Filin had been due to civil conflict Dmitrichenko wife Angelina Ballerina Vorontsova. Owl, according to the dancer, "moved his" Vorontsov, not giving her prominent parties in the Bolshoi Theater.

Indirectly, this version is announced on the eve of a close friend of Sergei Filin - employee "Fondservisbank" Gregory Belkin.

- Some solutions Sergei colleagues interpreted incorrectly - said Belkin Life News. - If Sergei was in the wake of all those who wanted to see their friends, relatives, friends, wives, girlfriends in different batches, probably, the Bolshoi would cease to exist. Conflict with Dmitrichenko, most likely from the same region.

In the Research Affairs in Moscow motive attempt formulate extremely dry - "personal hostile relations connected with official duties."

Meanwhile, Life News has learned some details of the interrogation Dmitrichenko.

- Investigators worked with dancers for hours. He behaved somewhat unusual. Still intellectuals: all these manners, affectations. Rolling his eyes, artistically applied a hand to his forehead, remembering God, saying that did not want this to happen - a source told Life News.

According to our interlocutor, the version of the Bolshoi soloist is: yes, this is it organized the attack, but did not want to Owl poured acid.

- He said he asked scare owl. Maybe much to beat, but the consequences of severe he thought - says a source Life News.

Hired Dmitrichenko previous convictions native Ryazan region Yuri Zarutsky told investigators that "gun" crime - sulfuric acid - to make himself a prescription, read online.

Although the open sale of acid is not found in any auto shop you can buy electrolyte for car batteries. From it's the fluid that had been prepared, which left severe burns on his face and eye cornea Sergei Filin.

- Artists in a shop "Parts" of the Moscow region was acquired acid concentrations to increase an attacker produced by evaporation of the water, - the press-service of the State Ministry of Interior for Moscow ve.

The detention of the three defendants attempted artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, according to the investigators themselves, something resembling a TV detective.

As reported by Life News, detectives went to the performers through billing - the analysis of cellular connections in the place and at a time when there was an attempt on the owl.

Originally from arrests wanted to wait, but, according to sources, Life News, detectives had directed to take suspects, come what may. As a result, until the evening of the crime disclosure loud literally hanging by a thread.

Although investigators and arrested one of the suspects - 31-year old Andrey Lipatov, driving his accomplice to the crime scene, the direct executor - 35-year-old Yuri Zarutsky - disappeared in the Tver region. And against Dmitrichenko investigators had almost nothing, at least as evidence that the court found to be sufficient to arrest him.

Only in the late afternoon Lipatov pressure available evidence against him, as they say detectives, "floated". And after that was arrested Yuri Zarutsky and then Paul Dmitrichenko.

The latter is not in hiding, he was close all day with the investigators, and with it came a search warrant at an apartment on the Trinity, 9, but the reasons for his formal detention appeared only in the evening.

Later, all three defendants in the case wrote a confession.

[Natalia]

I just saw the latest 3-minute TV spot on France 24 int'l network. All three of the accused men were trotted out in the police station; each posed facing front and profile, and each made a verbal confession before the cameras. Dmitrichenko, in particular, looked haggard and hunching (as if beaten?).

This latest France 24 report also introduces Anzhelina Vorontzova's 'role' in all of this. (Footage of the ballerina rehearsing with Tsiskaridze was shown.) Vorontzova -- who is called 'the wife of Dmitrichenko' and not just a girlfriend -- is described as 'being at the heart of Dmitrichenko wanting to orchestrate the attack.' The reporter explained that not only was she denied the title role of Swan Lake but that Filin was very upset that she continued to be coached by Tsiskaridze.

This is beginning to sound a bit like Jeff Gillooly/Tonya Harding, ca-1994 in figure skating!

Will upload the report if I find it on YouTube or on the France 24 site.

[Mashinka]

Mme. Hermine, on 06 March 2013 - 09:38 AM, said:

Later, all three defendants in the case wrote a confession.

Anyone else find this strange?  In England (and US?) arrested suspects are read their rights and told they can stay silent.  I have never heard of someone confessing before speaking to a lawyer.  No mention of bail either.  Confession made under duress?

[Natalia]

Very strange, Mashinka...but not for Russia.  Dmitrichenko, in particular, looked haggard and beaten as he was asked to pose face-front, then profile, in front of cameras at the police station, before being asked to recite his confession, which he did like an automaton in what I've seen on Russia Today and France24 so far. No lawyer anywhere around.

Not that the crime isn't horrendous - it is! We want to see the perpatrators brought to justice. Still, the 'due process' system in Russia stinks.

[Cygnet]

This is how Dmitrichenko looked in custody in today's edition of the Moscow Times:  http://www.themoscow...ack/476624.html.

[Helene]

Mashinka, on 06 March 2013 - 08:27 AM, said:

I will just say that if the police had investigated the cyber attack on Yanin properly in all likelihood none of this would have happened, factions are inevitable when an injustice was not just ignored but possibly condoned.

There's been no connection yet between Dmitrienko or the thugs he hired and the cyberattacks.  So far the police haven't mentioned the cyberattacks at all, and it isn't clear whether they tried to investigate or are still investigating.  It took years and an international effort to bring down a Russian-based worldwide financial scam just recently, and cyberattacks on individuals are common enough that, in general, resources aren't assigned to them unless it's considered a matter of national security.  Oligarchs can pay for their own investigations.

If the cyberattacks were initiated by Dmitrienko, and masterminded only by him, then Yanin was lucky he was dumped at the first sign of controversy, or an attempt at blinding him might have been the next step.

Mashinka, on 06 March 2013 - 08:27 AM, said:

I find it odd that so many writing here immediately assume that all guilt is down to Tsiskaridze, has anyone even considered that his criticism of the Bolshoi management might actually be justified?

I don't know who assumed that Tsiskaridze was directly guilty -- I had someone else in mind -- although a proper investigation of the cyberattacks might prove otherwise, but that his vocal opposition and at least one prior attempt to depose Bolshoi management made him someone the police should investigate and eliminate from the list of suspects, if only to take the attention off of him, would be standard MO.  I find it curious that he tried to argue that the attack had nothing to do with theater politics but had to do with a love affair or business dealings, when it was done on behalf of one his star pupils and had everything to do with theater politics, and while I wonder now how much he knew, that doesn't make him guilty of the actual plot.

Taranda's assertion that this whole thing hurt Tsiskaridze more than Filin has made me lose all respect for a man I consider one of the greatest dancers I've ever see on film.  

Whether Tsiskaridze's criticism of the Bolshoi management has any merit has zero to do with the criminal physical and cyberattacks on Filin, unless one believes that these attacks are justified by aesthetic arguments, in this case a defense of the works of Grigorovich.  Whether his criticism and internal plotting created an atmosphere which inspired at least the physical attacks is another story.  The good news, if there's anything good to be found in this, is that the person behind the physical attacks is someone like-minded aesthetically with a personal grudge due to his wife/partner and a follower of sorts, which means a much smaller group of people needs to be discouraged than, for example, all of those important men with wives/girlfriends/daughters in the company.

I hope Dmitrichenko gets jail time for this.

[Jayne]

Natalia, on 06 March 2013 - 10:00 AM, said:

This is beginning to sound a bit like Jeff Gillooly/Tonya Harding, ca-1994 in figure skating!

I had the same thoughts!

Quote

The Izvestia daily on Wednesday quoted ballet teacher Marina Kondratyeva as saying that Dmitrichenko had a brilliant career and would not have needed to seek revenge on Filin.
Kondratyeva admitted that his girlfriend Vorontsova had not been given leading parts lately but for a good reason: "How could Filin 'elbow her out'? Tsiskaridze is mentoring and coaching her — but she was just plain fat."

This is from an AP article that is circulating

Quote

In December, Dmitrichenko had a conflict with Filin over the artistic director's refusal to give a lead role to Dmitrichenko's girlfriend, another Bolshoi dancer, Angelina Vorontsova, members of the troupe told Izvestia on condition of anonymity. Filin allegedly told Vorontsova to look at herself in the mirror to see she was fat.

From The Moscow Times

So the motive for the attack is revenge for calling his girlfriend fat???

[Helene]

canbelto, on 06 March 2013 - 06:33 AM, said:

Quote

However, Bolshoi principal dancer Nikolay Tsiskaridze, who was one of the first to be questioned by the police after the attack, said he does not believe Dmitrichenko had anything to do with the assault.

"I think that this is related to the criticism that they didn't, and won't, find anyone. Now they are making it look like they did," Tsiskaridze told Russian newspaper Gazeta.ru.

Oh jeez Nicky, I really wish he would just stop talking to the press at this point it seems like he's courting the press more than they are hounding him.

He's an attention hound, which is one of the reasons to investigate and get him out of the picture.  Filin himself said that he didn't think that Tsiskaridze was behind the attacks.  However, Filin is on record as saying that Dmitrichenko and his hired thugs aren't the only ones involved and that the investigation needs to be continued to find the rest.

cinnamonswirl, on 06 March 2013 - 07:13 AM, said:

Herman Stevens, on 05 March 2013 - 10:37 AM, said:

canbelto, on 03 March 2013 - 10:11 AM, said:

Here is the exact Joy Womack mention/quote (typing as I look at p. 37 of the hard copy):

Dancers have been known to place pieces of glass in a rival's slippers just before the curtain rises. Joy Womack, an American dancer in the Bolshoi's corps de ballet, says she was once the victim of such sabotage, which left both of her feet covered in blood. "The pressure made her do it," she says of the dancer she believes placed glass in her shoes.

And how would they do this? Dancers typically put their 'slippers' (pointe shoes?) on in their dressing room.

And most dancers make sure everything is just so with their shoes.

This has a distinct Black Swan sound.

Maybe the perpetrator was inspired by Black Swan?

Dancers in the corps usually share a 1 or 2 big group dressing rooms.

Most people prep a bunch of shoes at once and then use them as needed. She probably didn't look inside the box right before she put them on. I'm sure she looks inside now.

Films and photos show that dancers line up a bunch of prepared shoes in their space by their section of the mirrors for different acts and/or balets.  Maybe now Womack has to keep hers in a locked box while they're out of her sight, which is most of the time she's in the theater.

puppytreats, on 06 March 2013 - 08:19 AM, said:

Drew, on 06 March 2013 - 08:15 AM, said:

I will say that given Dmitrichenko's and Vorontzova's closeness to Tsiskaridze (reflected in the quote mentioned above in which he defends Dmitrichenko), one better understands  Iksanov's claim that Tsiskaridze's attacks on the management helped create the atmosphere in which the attack happened (since presumably he had some idea that Dmitrichenko was a main suspect)

What does this mean?

What is unclear?

[Quiggin]

Here's the France 24 link that Natalia mentions –

http://www.france24....o-filin-confess

[Drew]

Mashinka, on 06 March 2013 - 08:27 AM, said:

I will just say that if the police had investigated the cyber attack on Yanin properly in all likelihood none of this would have happened, factions are inevitable when an injustice was not just ignored but possibly condoned.

I find it odd that so many writing here immediately assume that all guilt is down to Tsiskaridze, has anyone even considered that his criticism of the Bolshoi management might actually be justified?

Helene has mostly addressed this, but since I thought perhaps it was an allusion to what I wrote above about Iksanov and Tsiskaridze, let me clarify. I don't "assume" any guilt down to Tsiskaridze at all.  Some of his criticisms of the management may be justified. (I doubt all, given the excellent state of the company's dancing in recent years; management is clearly doing something right). I simply was making the point about Iksanov's statements about Tsiskaridze. I find them more understandable now.  Why? If the criminal(s) had some kind relationship with Tsiskaridze or his "faction" at the Bolshoi, then it's quite plausible that his remarks and attitude-however unintentionally--influenced them and if, as I think likely from Filin's comments that he "knew" who was responsible for the attack, Iksanov "knew," too, then that knowledge might have fueled his remarks about Tsiskaridze having contributed to the context in which the attacks occurred (because of Tsiskaridze's support for Vorontzova etc. etc.). That, puppytreats, is the answer to your question as well.

I put "knew" in scare quotes, because I don't assume the investigation is wrapped up or that the truth is fully known as yet.

I would add my agreement with the position that questions of guilt in relation to the physical attack on Filin have nothing to do with whether or not ANYONE'S criticisms of management are justified. Even if all complaints against management were justified, then that would not in any way justify the criminal attack on Filin. I don't think that last is a controversial point but perhaps just as well to state very explicitly.