Gergiev called Grigorovich a key figure in the history of Russian ballet.

The late Soviet and Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich is a key figure in the history of Russian ballet. Valery Gergiev, Director General of the Bolshoi Theatre and Artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, said this in an interview with Izvestia on May 19.

"The legendary figure, I think, will continue to attract great attention, [arouse] respect and admiration in decades to come," he said.

According to Gergiev, Grigorovich's productions such as "Spartacus", "Ivan the Terrible", "Stone Flower" have become the property of Russian culture.

"We will think over and analyze everything that can be done to ensure that these units are part of the public domain," he stressed.

With a tribute to the opera: the Wagner Marathon was launched at the Bolshoi Theater

Soloists of the GABT and the Mariinsky Theatre take part in the performances.

Grigorovich's death became known earlier that day. The choreographer died at the age of 98. Since 1964, he has been the chief choreographer of the Bolshoi Theatre.

Grigorovich is the author of eight original ballets, as well as the editor of almost all classical productions that formed the basis of the Bolshoi Theater's repertoire.