Ildar Abdrazakov will not take part in Don Giovanni at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona in January 2026 as planned. The Russian bass, a declared supporter of Vladimir Putin, has already had many … [Read more...] about Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov’s appearances in Verona are cancelled
Valery Gergiev
Putin’s conductor, Valery Gergiev, sees his return concert cancelled
Valery Gergiev’s planned concert at the Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples, has been cancelled after more than 16,000 people (including politicians worldwide, Nobel laureates, and activists) signed … [Read more...] about Putin’s conductor, Valery Gergiev, sees his return concert cancelled
The Bolshoi Theatre has more than doubled its ticket prices
The Bolshoi Theatre’s newly raised ticket prices are causing some anger among its regular patrons. One comment on the theatre's Telegram channel reads: Six months ago, performances could be seen … [Read more...] about The Bolshoi Theatre has more than doubled its ticket prices
Valery Gergiev appointed general director of the Bolshoi Theatre
Today, the Bolshoi Theatre sent out the following press release: Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree appointing Valery Gergiev as general director of the Bolshoi Theatre. Vladimir Urin … [Read more...] about Valery Gergiev appointed general director of the Bolshoi Theatre
Valery Gergiev becomes head of both Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres
Russia’s two ‘rival’ theatres – The Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow – will both be headed by Vladimir Putin’s favourite conductor, Valery Gergiev. Izvestiya … [Read more...] about Valery Gergiev becomes head of both Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres
Pro-Putin dancer Sergei Polunin’s show to be staged in Milan in January
On 28 and 29 January 2023, the Teatro degli Arcimboldi in Milan will present Rasputin, a project by and starring Sergei Polunin – the ‘rock star of world dance’ according to the theatre’s … [Read more...] about Pro-Putin dancer Sergei Polunin’s show to be staged in Milan in January
Putin’s conductor stole millions from his own charity
Valery Gergiev has embezzled millions of euros from his own charity, the Valery Gergiev Charity Foundation, to build an extensive property portfolio, according to the Moscow-based Anti-Corruption … [Read more...] about Putin’s conductor stole millions from his own charity
La Scala replaces the silent Valery Gergiev
On Tuesday evening (1 March), La Scala’s Intendant Dominique Meyer wrote a letter to Valery Gergiev informing him that La Scala will now hand over to a new conductor the performances of Tchaikovsky's … [Read more...] about La Scala replaces the silent Valery Gergiev
Anna Netrebko cancels Adriana Lecouvreur performances at La Scala
La Scala finds itself scrambling to find a conductor for the remaining performances of The Queen of Spades from 4 March after Valery Gergiev refused to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and … [Read more...] about Anna Netrebko cancels Adriana Lecouvreur performances at La Scala
La Scala asks Valery Gergiev to denounce the invasion of Ukraine or leave
Last night, a new production of The Queen of Spades, conducted by Valery Gergiev, opened at La Scala. Gergiev – sometimes called ‘the Tsar’ because of his friendship with Vladimir Putin – was … [Read more...] about La Scala asks Valery Gergiev to denounce the invasion of Ukraine or leave
The Verbier Festival returns to medici.tv
More than 30 concerts from the 2021 Verbier Festival will be broadcast live and available on replay on medici.tv Medici.tv will stream 32 concerts live from the Verbier Festival for the fifteenth … [Read more...] about The Verbier Festival returns to medici.tv
La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy
Despite the interruptions imposed by lockdowns and outbreaks of disease during the Season 2020-2021 La Scala managed to put on over 100 performances. The various closures also gave the theatre’s … [Read more...] about La Scala 2021-2022 Opera Season and new philosophy
La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
OPERA SEASON 2018 - 2019 La Scala announced its 2018-2019 Opera season today with 15 titles, nine of which are new productions, and two are La Scala premieres. At the heart of the season remains the … [Read more...] about La Scala, Milan: Opera and Recital Season 2018 – 2019
Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A in italiano When did you start singing? When I was 11 to a disc of Rigoletto with Gobbi, Callas and Di Stefano; a blanket on my shoulder and an umbrella served as my cloak and … [Read more...] about Franco Vassallo answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
Anna Netrebko has returned to La Scala to sing Violetta as she sings ‘addio’ to the role. She will sing in a Traviata once more in Paris next February, and then that’s it for the curvy Russian and the … [Read more...] about 14 minutes of applause for Anna Netrebko at La Scala in La traviata [interview and photos]
Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
You were recently promoted to First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet. Happy? Yes, I was promoted after a show of Giselle back in January and it was quite out of the blue! Leaving the corps Xander … [Read more...] about Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
Vaganova Ballet Academy to open a new school in Vladivostok – 10,000 km from St Petersburg
by guest blogger Elizaveta Dilanyan On 18 June it was announced that Vaganova Ballet Academy will open a second campus in Vladivostok, the capital of the Primorsky Krai province, in far eastern … [Read more...] about Vaganova Ballet Academy to open a new school in Vladivostok – 10,000 km from St Petersburg
Maya Plisetskaya’s 90th birthday celebrated in concerts and exhibitions
20 November 2015 would have been Maya Plisetskaya's 90th birthday. The great Russian ballerina, who died on 2 May this year, will be remembered in a series of events in Moscow and St Petersburg. On … [Read more...] about Maya Plisetskaya’s 90th birthday celebrated in concerts and exhibitions
Nikolay Tsiskaridze’s first two years at the helm of the Vaganova
The 28th of October 2015 marked the end of Nikolay Tsiskaridze’s first two years as head of the Vaganova Academy and the staff celebrated the occasion with a small get together. His appointment was … [Read more...] about Nikolay Tsiskaridze’s first two years at the helm of the Vaganova
Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky in Milan… and no nude kings
What a great evening out: Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky and Valery Gergiev conducting. However, not a costume or piece of scenery in sight… just Gergiev with his orchestra performing the Romeo … [Read more...] about Romeo and Juliet with the Mariinsky in Milan… and no nude kings
Cecilia Bartoli: “Contemporary composers can’t write for opera singers like me”
I've been following this project for eight years and I've been to St Petersburg many times in train or by ship, because I don't like flying; one of the most beautiful trips was on the icebreaker from … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli: “Contemporary composers can’t write for opera singers like me”
Tsiskaridze’s reputation is not as high as state officials’ wives would have you believe
Earlier today, teachers at the Vaganova Ballet Academy published an open letter, written in four languages, to President Vladimir Putin asking him to reconsider the appointment of Nikolay … [Read more...] about Tsiskaridze’s reputation is not as high as state officials’ wives would have you believe
Diana Vishneva ‘outraged’ by the appointment of Tsiskaridze at the Vaganova Academy
Valery Gergiev says he is delighted at the appointment of Nikolay Tsiskaridze as the new head of the historic Vaganova Ballet Academy, but not everyone is so happy. Diana Vishneva, herself a graduate … [Read more...] about Diana Vishneva ‘outraged’ by the appointment of Tsiskaridze at the Vaganova Academy
Tsiskaridze is Principal and Lopatkina the new Artistic Director of the Vaganova Academy
Nikolay Tsiskaridze has been appointed Principal of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, and Ulyana Lopatkina will be its new Artistic Director. Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky told Izvestia: Tsiskaridze … [Read more...] about Tsiskaridze is Principal and Lopatkina the new Artistic Director of the Vaganova Academy
Cecilia Bartoli takes a ship to join Valery Gergiev in St Petersburg
Yesterday, before Cecilia Bartoli's highly anticipated concert at the Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall in St Peterburg tomorrow evening, she gave a press conference alongside Valery Gergiev who will … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli takes a ship to join Valery Gergiev in St Petersburg
BP will support the Mariinsky UK tours for the next 3 years
BP and the Mariinsky Theatre today announced a joint programme that will give music lovers in the United Kingdom the chance to experience the very best of Russian opera, ballet and classical music. BP … [Read more...] about BP will support the Mariinsky UK tours for the next 3 years