While some were surprised by Russian president Vladimir Putin’s dismissal of Bolshoi director Vladimir Vasilyev this week, others were not. “While critics could forgive Mr. Vasilyev his shortcomings as an administrator, they were angry about his failure to revive the Bolshoi artistically. His staging of ‘Swan Lake’ was deemed a flop, but what critics found even more dismaying was his inability to introduce the new ideas he had promised when appointed.” – New York Times