Just in: Gergiev is dropped in Germany ‘because he’s Putin’s friend’

In a mark of the worsening Cold War, Valery Gergiev has been told he is not welcome at next year’s Saar music festival, which has Poland as its theme. ‘We were given a clear indication by the Polish Embassy in Berlin that Gergiev is not wanted,” said its artistic director Robert Leonardy. ‘It is not acceptable that a Russian, a well-known friend of Putin’s, should appear at a Polish event.’

Gergiev was due to perform in Saarbrücken on March 10, on tour with the Munich Philharmonic and cellist Sol Gabetta. They will give the same concert in Paris the night before, but the Munich Phil has been told to change conductor for the Saar Festival. Gergiev will be replaced by th Polish conductor, Michal Nesterowicz.

The cancellation is a mark of Gergiev’s increasing isolation.