Another blow for Gergiev: Rotterdam cuts him
NewsGergeiev’s longest relationship in the west has been with the Rotterdam Philharmonic.
Here’s what they are saying today:
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the board of Rotterdam Philharmonic Festivals (organizer of the Gergiev Festival) have learned with dismay of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the event that Valery Gergiev does not openly distance himself from President Putin’s actions in Ukraine, we will be forced to cancel the concerts with him. The Gergiev Festival will also not take place in September.
Notification of the actual decision will follow as soon as possible.
Rotterdam needs to complete cut ties with Gergiev and invite Vanessa Benelli Mosell as a guest conductor.
He’s on the run. AN industry that could deal with Domingo with such dispatch can certainly handle a warmonger’s uncritical crony.
The world should never forget that it was Russian separatists in Ukraine who shot down the Malaysian airliner that had taken off Amsterdam hours before. Most on board were Dutch citizens.
Ukraine shot down the plane. It has nothing to do with “separatists”
And the Beat Goes On…
Good.
Great news!
Who gives a damn? He’s only an egotistical and self motivated conductor. Plenty more from whence he came.
Bravo.
Thanks Norman for leading the charge.
Here are some other actions people can take:
1) Classical music lovers should also insist that major record companies take action against Putin clones. Throw them out; get rid of their contracts. Ditto for records played on classical stations etc. Agencies representing this people should also not be immune.
2) Express your indignation to your local symphony orchestra, music centers, websites, classical papers etc.
3) Do not buy tickets, records or anything else associated with these people. I am sure people can think of more actions.
This is like WWII all over again. Take a stand for freedom.
Bravo Rotterdam.
I think what we are learning in Europe these days, not to say the two last years, is that you can do everything, and then I mean absolutely everything, to your opponents, as long as you don’t kill them.
It makes us better human beings than Putin and his supporters, but not good human beings.
So Gergiev will be gone from Rotterdam. And then what?
Breaking_ statement by Anna Netrebko
I have taken some time to reflect because I think the situation is too serious to comment on without really giving it thought.
First of all: I am opposed to this war. I am Russian and I love my country but I have many friends in Ukraine and the pain and suffering right now breaks my heart. I want this war to end and for people to be able to live in peace. This is what I hope and pray for.
I want to add one thing, however: forcing artists, or any public figure, to voice their political opinions in public and to denounce their homeland is not right. This should be a free choice. Like many of my colleagues, I am not a political person. I am not an expert in politics. I am an artist and my purpose is to unite people across political divides.