On Feb. 25, the day after the fourth anniversary of the War in Ukraine, Valery Gergiev met with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to give the Russian dictator a report of the upcoming events at both the Bolshoi Theatre and the Mariinsky Theatre. The conversation, which was live-streamed, spanned a number of subjects from the Mariinsky Theatre to the Ballet {…}

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 {…}

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused Italy of discrimination after the cancelation of Valery Gergiev’s concert on July 27. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said she was sorry Italian audiences would be deprived of the opportunity “to experience great Russian music performed by a renowned Russian conductor.” She added, “We strongly condemn such discriminatory attempts at ‘cancel culture,’ {…}

The Minister of Culture of Italy, Alessandro Gui, has called out Valery Gergiev’s concert at the Reggia di Caserta. Gui released a statement noting, “Art is Free and cannot be censored. Propaganda, however, even if done with talent, is something else.” He added, “That is why the concert by Putin’s friend and advisor Valery Gergiev, which the Campania Regional Government {…}