Organizers of an Italian music festival have cancelled a concert featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev following sustained criticism from Kremlin opponents and human rights advocates.
Gergiev, known to be an ally of President Putin, was scheduled to conduct an Italian orchestra, accompanied by soloists from St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, at a performance held in a former royal palace near Naples later this month.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the 72-year-old has faced bans from performing on Western stages, largely due to his refusal to condemn the conflict.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli characterized the cancellation by the Un’Estate da RE festival organizers as “common sense,” underscoring the protection of “values of the free world.”
The Royal Palace of Caserta did not provide an official explanation for the cancellation of the July 27 concert, which was part of the broader music program.
Earlier, Ukraine had urged organizers to withdraw Gergiev’s performance, denouncing him as “Putin’s mouthpiece” and arguing he should not be welcomed “as long as Russian forces continue to commit atrocities.”
Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, responded to the cancellation on X, calling it “good news.”
She asserted, “No artist who supports the current dictatorship in Russia should be welcomed in Europe.”
Conversely, Russia’s ambassador to Italy deemed the decision a “scandalous situation,” framing it as part of a “policy of ‘cancelling’ Russian culture.”
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Gergiev, who serves as the director of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Russian state theaters, frequently performed in leading Western venues.
Subsequently, institutions such as Milan’s La Scala, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and New York’s Carnegie Hall severed ties with him.
The controversy surrounding Gergiev’s scheduled appearance arose amid Italy’s hosting of European heads of state, convened to reaffirm support for Ukraine and discuss the country’s post-war reconstruction.
While Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has consistently criticized Vladimir Putin, her culture ministry was among the backers of the Un’Estate da RE festival.
Concerts by stars such Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Oasis are set to generate millions of pounds.
The event at DanceEast will be filmed and shared on social media.
Warrenpoint, in County Down, is hosting the traditional Irish cultural festival this week.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, the Motown legend says he will play for the rest of his life.
The Folk of Gloucester will host a summer event celebrating music and people’s stories behind it.