Italy’s Royal Palace of Caserta has officially cancelled an upcoming concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decision followed mounting pressure from political figures, international critics, and exiled Russian opposition voices, all of whom objected to Gergiev’s presence due to his ongoing support for the Kremlin and his silence on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The concert was originally scheduled for July 27 as part of the "Un’Estate da Re" (A Summer Fit for a King) cultural festival in the historic Caserta palace near Naples. However, public backlash — fueled by calls for protest from Ukrainian officials and Russian opposition groups — led to a swift cancellation on Monday, with the Royal Palace issuing a short statement confirming the decision. No specific reason was given in the official announcement.
Gergiev, who currently heads Russia’s prestigious Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres, has been largely isolated from Western concert halls since 2022. His refusal to speak out against the war in Ukraine led to his dismissal from the Munich Philharmonic and a growing list of cancellations across Europe.
Human rights activists and exiled Russian figures were quick to praise Italy’s move. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of slain Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, called it “good news,” asserting that those who support authoritarian regimes should not be given platforms in democratic countries. Navalnaya’s team had actively campaigned against the event, stating that “Putin’s pals should not be touring Europe like nothing happened.”
In contrast, Russia’s response was swift and furious. The Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, decried the cancellation as part of a broader “scandalous” effort by Western governments to marginalize Russian culture. He claimed Italy had “subordinated its cultural policy to the demands of Ukrainians and other immigrants,” and accused the West of engaging in a campaign of cultural erasure.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano defended the decision, saying it was a matter of “common sense” and necessary to uphold the values of democracy and freedom. He warned that hosting such a performance could be manipulated into a political gesture of support for Moscow’s policies.
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture had also urged Italy to reconsider Gergiev’s participation, labeling the conductor as “Putin’s mouthpiece” and arguing that no representative of Russian state-backed institutions should be allowed to perform in Europe while Russia continues its military aggression.
Although Gergiev has not publicly commented on the war, his close affiliation with the Kremlin — including past performances in support of Russian military action — has made him a controversial figure. Despite his celebrated career conducting iconic works by Tchaikovsky and other Russian composers, many institutions have distanced themselves from him over the past two years.
Gergiev, 72, reportedly claimed he was not informed about the cancellation until it was public. He continues to tour in non-Western countries, particularly in Asia, where the political consequences of his affiliations appear less severe.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between cultural diplomacy and geopolitical ethics, especially as European countries grapple with how to handle artists tied to authoritarian governments during times of war and humanitarian crisis.
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