Two prominent festivals have cut ties with Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra.

On Monday morning the Riga Jurmala Festival in Latvia and the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland decided to cancel upcoming events with the leading conductor.

In a statement by Executive and Artistic Director Michael Haefliger of the Lucerne Festival said, “Lucerne Festival has decided to cancel the concerts by the Mariinsky Orchestra and Valery Gergiev that were scheduled for 21 and 22 August. Lucerne Festival will announce the new programs and performers for these two concerts at a later date. In view of Russia’s acts of war in violation of international law, we are sending a clear signal of solidarity to the people of Ukraine. We are deeply concerned and condemn the attack on Ukraine and on innocent people in the strongest possible terms.”

For its part, the Latvian festival canceled its event altogether and noted, “Due to the tragic war in Ukraine we have decided to cancel the festival planned this summer. This is not an easy decision, but in a time of such a human tragedy we see no way to proceed. We categorically condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine! Since last Friday’s events and our announcement have changed also in the council and leadership of the festival, we are committed to fully review our potential activities in the future…We are deeply saddened by what is happening right now and we are committed that as part of the festival team and each individually we will continue to help the victims of this terrible war in Ukraine.”

Gergiev was scheduled to appear with the Mariinsky Theatre at the Latvian Festival in two concerts.

This is the latest cancelation for Gergiev who was dropped from Carnegie Hall and concerts in Naples, Florida. He has also been dropped from his management team and the Munich Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and Teatro alla Scala have threatened to fire him if he does not condemn the war. The conductor has thus far remained silent.