Theatre director
In 2011, Mikhaylovsky Theatre director Vladimir Kehman invited Barkhatov to become the theatre's artistic director, a position Barkhatov began in 2013. His first opera project at the theatre was a production of "The Flying Dutchman. "Barkhatov also staged a gala concert in honor of the theatre's anniversary. Barkhatov announced his resignation from the position in 2014, shortly before his staging of "Eugene Onegin" opened the theatre's season.