Update: In response to the article, General Producer Arman Padaryan noted: 

As the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) embarks on its centennial season, Armenia once again demonstrates its unique role as a cultural bridge and a “Crossroad of Peace.” This year, ANPO welcomes back one of its most significant artistic figures, Maestro Valery Gergiev, for a concert in Yerevan on October 2.

Correcting Misperceptions

Recent reports have attempted to reduce Maestro Gergiev to political labels, misrepresenting his relationship with Armenia and the ANPO. Such portrayals are misleading and unfair. For Armenians, Valery Gergiev is not a political emblem but a musician of extraordinary stature who served as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the ANPO for five years. His tenure strengthened Armenia’s orchestral tradition, expanded its international reach, and connected Yerevan to the great concert halls of Europe and beyond.

The decision to invite Maestro Gergiev is not political – it is artistic, historical, and cultural. It reflects gratitude for his leadership and honors the continuity of ANPO’s rich history during its 100th anniversary season.

Valery Gergiev is set to conduct the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Putin supporter will conduct a program on Oct. 2, 2025, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, which includes music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, and Ravel.

The concert will mark the latest attempt for Gergiev to perform outside Russia. The conductor has already successfully conducted in China, Iran, and Oman. A planned concert in Italy was canceled after backlash from the government. The planned concert sparked outrage throughout Italy, with “700 culture personalities” signing a letter against it, and the Italian Minister of Culture revoking his support of it.

Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Gergiev has backed Putin and has been stripped of all his positions in the West and sanctioned by Canada. He was fired from the Munich Philharmonic, Verbier Festival, and Rotterdam Orchestra. Several of his concerts were canceled at the Teatro alla Scala and Carnegie Hall, among many others. He has since become the General Manager of the Bolshoi Theatre and was named Chair of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize.

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