A world-class Brazilian ballet dancer who trained with the renowned Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Denis Viera, 31, died after hitting his head in a fall at his home in Cyprus, but no details were given how it happened.

He was living with his partner Andreas Winiarski and training in Nicosia and Larnaca, and preparing to mount his first ballet gala, said the site Gramilano about the loss that shook the ballet world.

His mother said that, “I am very proud of him. His smile, his life, his special performances. My son was an example for many! It is a sad loss.”

She told the site that, “We are respecting the work of the police and forensic experts. It appears to be a tragic accident at home, but I’m going to wait to see the conclusions of the authorities. We have to wait!”

In a statement, the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro said, “He had a fun and caring personality… he was the owner of a rare talent, recognized among his peers and the public.”

After a teenaged start as soloist with the Brazilian theater troupe, he made the leap to the world stage, dancing with Zurich Ballet, Berlin, Munich and Northern Ballet in Britain before making a post-pandemic return at the Coliseum in London, where he lived in Leeds before moving to Cyprus.

After the COVID-19 pandemic waned, he celebrated his return to the stage at the London Coliseum in November 2021 as part of the Ballet Icons Gala with his long-time stage partner Ksenia Ovsyanick.