Bolshoi Ballet opens new season amid scandal

The latest production of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet opens its new season in Moscow just as a former principal dancer heads to trial, accused of masterminding a horrific acid attack on the company's artistic director.

CBC's Jean-Francois Belanger reports how the incident has lifted the lid on the dark and murky world inside the Bolshoi with tales of rivalry, jealousy, cronyism and widespread corruption.

Art critic Nastassia Astrasheuskaya says the revelations have stained the Bolshoi's reputation.

"It's lost mainly it's aura. It's fairytale magic image. Now, it's becometoo earthly."