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 {…}
José Carreras and Plácido Domingo are set to collaborate with Putin supporters Hibla Gerzmava and Valery Gergiev in December in Dubai. The news comes with the announcement of the Dubai Opera’s 2025-26 season. Both legendary tenors will perform in a gala titled “Stars of the Century Opera Gala” in which they will take on opera, zarzuela, Broadway, and global songs. They {…}
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,’ {…}
(Photo by Valeri Guérguiev) The Reggia di Caserta has canceled Valery Gergiev’s July 27 concert. The festival said, “The management of the Reggia di Caserta has announced the cancellation of the concert conducted by Valery Gergiev as part of the ‘Un Estate da Re’ series.” The controversial concert sparked outrage throughout Italy with “700 culture personalities” signing a letter against {…}
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 {…}
Peter Gelb is weighing in on Valery Gergiev’s performance in Italy on July 27. In a recent interview with Die Welt, Gelb condemned the performance, stating that he could not understand why an ally of Ukraine would host Putin’s biggest ally. He said it “surprises me quite a bit. Especially since Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly supports Ukraine. It {…}
Italian Politicians are divided over Valery Gergiev’s return to conducting in Italy. The concert, which is set to be held on July 27 at the Reggia di Caserta, has been met with criticism and support because the festival in which Gergiev is performing is being bankrolled by the European Union. According to The New York Times, its funding flows, via {…}
(Photo by Valeri Guérguiev) Vice President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, is speaking out about Valery Gergiev’s return to Italy. In a statement to X, Picierno said, “It is unacceptable that European funds are being used to finance the performance of a Kremlin supporter, Valery Gergiev, in the ‘Un’Estate da RE’ festival. Even after three and a half years {…}
(Photo by Valeri Guérguiev) Valery Gergiev is set to return to Italy this summer. The Putin-supporter will conduct during the Un’Estate da RE Festival at the Reggia di Caserta. The concert will be held on July 27, 2025, and Gergiev will conduct the Orchestra filarmonica “G. Verdi” di Salerno with soloists from the Mariinsky Theatre. This will mark his first {…}
Valery Gergiev has been sanctioned by the government of Canada. Following the G7 summit in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia and included 70 individuals and entities, as well as more than 200 vessels that have been transporting Russian oil. Among them was Gergiev, who serves in Vladimir Putin’s government and has been a {…}