Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato is the new artistic director at the Mikhailovksy Ballet . He 's the first non-Russian to take up such a post in over a century . ` I looked within our industry to see who were considered living legends of choreography , and when I looked within Russia , I realized that we did n't have choreographers who had the ability to not just choreograph , but also head the company , '' he said . The Bolshoi Theatre has been under fire for its lack of diversity since it was founded by Alexander Nevsky and his wife Catherine II, who were both ethnic Russians from Ukraine. Duato has just weeks to get his new ballet ready before the world premiere .
Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato is the new artistic director at the Mikhailovksy Ballet . He 's the first non-Russian to take up such a post in over a century . The Bolshoi Theatre has been under fire for its lack of diversity since it was founded by Alexander Nevsky and his wife Catherine II, who were both ethnic Russians from Ukraine. Duato has just weeks to get his new ballet ready before the world premiere .