Valery Gergiev’s last friend speaks out

A statement by his North America agent, Doug Sheldon:

As manager for Valery Gergiev in North America:

I stand firmly for an independent Ukraine and against the Putin and Russian government policies of suppression, aggression, invasion and war.

Maestro Gergiev’s unwillingness to speak against those policies has made it impossible for the international music community to accept him on the concert or opera stage. I have cancelled his touring plans and appearances in North America.

I have had an extraordinary 30-year professional relationship with Valery and it hurts me deeply to see that relationship come to such an end.

The vision for music’s place in the world that Valery and I have shared remains constant.

Doug Sheldon