The Milan theater "La Scala" demanded that the Russian conductor, artistic director, and director of the Mariinsky Theater Valery Gergiev oppose the invasion of Ukraine. Otherwise, cooperation with him will be terminated and he will be suspended from performances with the opera The Queen of Spades, which should take place from March 5 to 13.

Also the Mayor of Milan has ordered La Scala to sack the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev unless he comes out promptly with a statement condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

Giuseppe Sala said:

‘With the superintendent of the theatre Dominique Meyer we are asking him to take a precise position against this invasion. If he does not do it we will be forced to end the collaboration.’

The theatre management and the mayor have agreed on a formal letter sent to Gergiev, telling him to write ‘a declaration in favor of peaceful conflict resolution’, in the aftermath of his ‘generous position towards Vladimir Putin.’

It should be reminded that Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, has been a permanent guest conductor of La Scala for many years.