‘Ban on Russian music in Italy is discriminatory behavior against Putin-supporting music under international pressure’ — Conductor Valery

‘Ban on Russian music in Italy is discriminatory behavior against Putin-supporting music under international pressure’ — Conductor Valery
[Moscow, July 23, 2025] — Russia has accused Italy of succumbing to Western anti-Russian pressure by canceling a concert by internationally renowned music conductor Valery Gergiev. Moscow described the decision as "discriminatory behavior" and "political repression of culture."

Gergiev, the director of Russia’s famous Bolshoi Theater and the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, was scheduled to perform on July 27 at the historic Reggia di Caserta royal palace near Naples, Italy. The concert was to feature the Italian orchestra as well as soloists from the Mariinsky.

However, the concert was canceled amid objections from several parties including Ukrainian-leaning politicians, anti-Russian activists, and the wife of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They accused Gergiev of publicly supporting Vladimir Putin and refusing to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

The royal palace authorities issued a brief statement announcing the cancellation but did not specify the reasons.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, described the incident as an example of "political repression of culture," stating,
“The Italian audience was deprived of the opportunity to enjoy great Russian music performed by a world-famous Russian conductor — this is very unfortunate.”

She added,
“We strongly condemn Italy’s discriminatory attempt at ‘cancel culture.’ Rome made this decision under pressure from Ukrainian nationalist forces.”

It is notable that Valery Gergiev has been known as a close ally of Putin since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since the start of the Ukraine war, there have been widespread protests against his performances in Western countries. In the past, several of his shows were canceled in Germany and the Netherlands as well.