Mikhail Kislyarov

Biography

Born in Moscow. In 1973 graduated from the Drama Studio at the Central Children’s Theatre (now the Russian Academic Youth Theatre, class of A. Nekrasova). In 1984 graduated from the ballet master faculty of GITIS (now the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), and in 1985 — completed a higher directing course (under the master Boris Pokrovsky).

He began his theatrical career as a drama actor at the Central Children’s Theatre, where his path as a choreographer and director started as well (A Dream with a Continuation based on the story of the same name by S. Mikhalkov).

In 1989 he established the Modern Opera Theatre, where he staged Les Noces and L'Histoire du soldat by I. Stravinsky, and the operas A Feast in Time of Plague by S. Gavrilov and The Bear by W. Walton.

Since 1989 he has worked at the Chamber Musical Theatre. He staged the operas Bastien und Bastienne (1989) and Così fan tutte (1999) by W.A. Mozart, The Artist and Four Girls by E. Denisov (1992), Renard by I. Stravinsky (1992), Deux hommes et une femme / Rita by G. Donizetti (1994), The Mandarin’s Son by C. Cui (1998), La scala di seta by G. Rossini (1999), I quatro rusteghi by E. Wolf-Ferrari (2003), DSCH Century based on the works of D. Shostakovich (2006).

In 2010-2017, a Chief Director of the Boris Pokrovsky Chamber Musical Theatre. During this time he staged the performances: Contract for Pulcinella with the Orchestra, or the Strangers Are Allowed based on the works of G. Pergolesi and I. Stravinsky (2010), Idomeneo by W.A. Mozart in the version by R. Strauss (2011), Kholstomer by V. Kobekin (2012), The Violinist Danilov by A. Tchaikovsky (2012), Die drei Pintos by C.M. von Weber-G. Mahler (2013), The Prodigal Son by B. Britten (2013), I quatro rusteghi by E. Wolf-Ferrari (new version, 2014), Mavra by I. Stravinsky (2014), Leonora by L. van Beethoven (2014), The Cunning Little Vixen by L. Janacek (2015), Orfeo ed Euridice by C.W. Gluck (2016).

At the Bolshoi Theatre he started as a choreographer of the opera performances of The Golden Cockerel by N. Rimsky-Korsakov (1987), Betrothal in the Monastery by S. Prokofiev (1989 version) and The Love for Three Oranges by S. Prokofiev (1997). On the productions of the operas Rusalka by A. Dargomyzhsky (2000) and Nabucco by G. Verdi (2001, new version in 2006) he acted as choreographer and director.

He starred in the films The Green Patrol (1960), Funny Stories (1962), Girl on the Ball (1966) and Guarneri Quartet (1977).

From 1980-96 he was a teacher, from 1992-96 — Head of the stage dance department at GITIS, docent. From 2010-15 he was Artistic Director there at the department of acting and directing for musical theatre.

Productions for musical theatre

At the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre:
Elder Son by G. Gladkov (1983)
Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor by О. Nicolai (1987)
Lucia di Lammermoor by G. Donizetti (2009)

At the Samara State Opera and Ballet Theatre:
Rigoletto by G. Verdi (as director and ballet master, 2008)

At the Samara Theatre for Young Spectators “SamArt”:
The musical Dandelion Wine by M. Bartenev and A. Shelygin (2004)
L'Histoire du soldat by I. Stravinsky (2006)

At the Theatre Russian Opera:
Le nozze di Figaro by W.A. Mozart
The Fair at Sorochyntsi by M. Mussorgsky
Hansel and Gretel by E. Humperdinck (Artistic Director of the production, 2009)

At the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus:
Le nozze di Figaro by W.A. Mozart (2016)

Drama productions

When Irish Eyes are Smiling based on the play by A. Fugard People are living there (Theatre at the Nikitsky Gate, 1994)