The Italian organizers announced Monday they are cancelling the concert of pro-Kremlin conductor Valery Gergiev after a political outcry.
Gergiev, who is a staunch supporter of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, was slated to perform at the major Un’Estate da Re festival at the vast 18th century Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples, on July 27. It would have been his first concert in the European Union since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began three years ago.
Putting Gergiev on the line-up drew plenty of criticism last week. The performance “risks sending the wrong message,” said Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli. Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, also spoke out against it.
