Valery Gergiev currently manages both the Mariinsky Theatre and the Bolshoi Theatre, a unique dual directorship that places him at the center of Russian institutional music. Born in Moscow in 1953, he rose through the ranks of the Leningrad Conservatory under the guidance of Ilya Musin to become a dominant figure in both domestic and international opera production.
Early Career and Education
Raised in Vladikavkaz, Gergiev began formal piano studies in school before relocating to Leningrad. Between 1972 and 1977, he studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. His professional ascent began in 1978 when he accepted the position of assistant conductor at the Kirov Opera, now the Mariinsky. His debut performance there featured Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace. He subsequently served as the chief conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra from 1981 until 1985.
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Gergiev made his British debut in 1985 at the Lichfield Festival. By 1991, he reached major international stages, conducting Boris Godunov at the Bavarian State Opera and making his American debut with the San Francisco Opera, again performing War and Peace. He held the principal conductorship of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 1995 until 2008. In 2007, he became the fifteenth principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, a role he maintained until 2015. He served as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic from 2015 until his dismissal in March 2022, following his refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Political and Cultural Context
Throughout his career, Gergiev has remained a public supporter of Vladimir Putin. In 2013, his international appearances, including those at the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, drew protests from activists regarding his stance on Russian legislation. His involvement in regional conflicts is marked by his 2008 conduct of a concert in Tskhinvali during the South Ossetia war and his 2016 performance at the Roman Theatre of Palmyra. In 2014, his name appeared on a document supporting the annexation of Crimea, though he later characterized his involvement as a phone conversation rather than a direct signature.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, Moscow
- Education: Saint Petersburg Conservatory
- Mariinsky Theatre: Artistic Director
- Bolshoi Theatre: Artistic Director
- Munich Philharmonic tenure: 2015-2022
- Rotterdam Philharmonic tenure: 1995-2008
- Language proficiency: Russian, English
Questions readers ask
Does Gergiev lead both the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres?
Yes. He was appointed artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre in December 2023, while already serving as general and artistic director of the Mariinsky.
Why was Gergiev dismissed from the Munich Philharmonic?
He was dismissed in March 2022 after refusing to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Achievements
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Golden Medal for Merit to Culture
- Medal "In Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg"
- Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots
- Order of Friendship
- Instruments: piano
- Genres: classical music, opera and symphonic music
