In brief
The organizers of the Un'Estate da RE music festival in Italy withdrew the performance featuring Gergiev after days of escalating criticism from various groups. The renowned conductor, who has been an outspoken supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was scheduled to lead an orchestra from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre at a prestigious venue near Naples later this month. At 72, Gergiev has faced a performance ban in much of the West since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, an act he has notably refrained from denouncing.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the decision to cancel as an act of "common sense" meant to uphold the ideals of the free world. The Royal Palace of Caserta, where the concert was to take place, did not provide a specific reason for the cancellation. Ukraine's government had previously called for Gergiev to be disinvited, labeling him as "Putin's mouthpiece" unworthy of welcome while Russian forces continue their military actions.Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, expressed approval of the cancellation, emphasizing that artists who support the current Russian regime should not be welcomed in Europe. Conversely, the Russian ambassador to Italy condemned the decision, claiming it was indicative of a broader effort to "cancel" Russian culture altogether.Gergiev, who holds prestigious positions at both the Bolshoi Theatre and Mariinsky Theatre, was once a fixture in top Western venues, but many, including Milan's La Scala and New York's Carnegie Hall, have severed ties with him since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. The controversy surrounding his performance popped up during a week when Italy hosted multiple European heads of state to reinforce solidarity with Ukraine and discuss post-war rebuilding efforts.Finally, prominent Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been a vociferous critic of Putin since the conflict began, lending a powerful voice to the state's decision to cancel Gergiev's concert.
