VADIM MUNTAGIROV

Smiling always helps

The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer reflects on the weight of perfection, the balance between artistry and technique, and how staying authentic — and keeping a smile — has helped him navigate both the spotlight and the quiet moments in between

By Alessandro BIZZOTTO

We meet on a cold afternoon at the stage door of the Royal Opera House. Wrapped in a dark turtleneck sweater, Vadim Muntagirov has a distinctly different air – his polite smile making him appear approachable, a stark contrast to the poised grandeur he commands under the spotlight. Softer, perhaps more introspective.

One of the brightest male ballet stars of today – some argue the greatest – he leads me through the theatre’s corridors, alive with the energy of an ongoing matinée, before we reach a quieter office overlooking Covent Garden.

Born in Chelyabinsk, Russia, but trained at English National Ballet, Muntagirov has become one of The Royal Ballet’s defining figures. With seamless technique and a musicality reminiscent of the golden age of dance, he brings a distinctive presence to the company. His classical roles – marked by clarity and weightless elevation – have made him a favourite among critics and audiences alike. Yet, beyond the grand 19th-century ballets, his versatility extends to contemporary work, proving his range as both a stylist and a storyteller. A sought-after guest artist on the world’s biggest stages, Muntagirov continues to shape and export the English style, reinforcing his status as one of today’s leading male dancers.

I quickly realise he is a good listener. He doesn’t speak much at first but, when he does, his responses come with a quiet enthusiasm, delivered without hesitation as I begin asking questions.

Vadim Muntagirov as Aminta in Sylvia © Alice Pennefather / ROH

Frederick Ashton’s ‚Dance of the Blessed Spirits‘ (Vadim Muntagirov, The Royal Ballet)

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