Moscow, December 1 – Valery Gergiev, renowned conductor, People’s Artist of Russia, and director of the Mariinsky Theatre, has been appointed as the General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, according to a government website. The appointment, made by Mikhail Mishustin, is for a five-year term. Introducing the new leader to the staff of the Bolshoi Theatre, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova noted that Gergiev also serves as the director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre. She emphasized that there are no plans to merge the two theaters, and they will continue to exist as separate legal entities. Gergiev himself acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with his new appointment. He praised his predecessor, Vladimir Urin, for his efforts in enriching the collection of remarkable productions at the Bolshoi Theatre during challenging times. Gergiev stated, “We have collaborated actively over the past ten years. More than 30 leading singers from the Mariinsky Theatre perform on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. These are the singers whom I have nurtured and brought to the theater. Now they perform throughout Russia and all over the world.” He emphasized that the employees of both theaters have a lot of work ahead of them and should strive to preserve the best of what they have. The news of Gergiev’s appointment to the Bolshoi Theatre was reported by “Izvestia” in mid-November. Gergiev himself, during the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, mentioned that he was already busy and not actively seeking additional work. However, he added that he considers it necessary and important to work in his own country. Last year, Vladimir Putin suggested to Gergiev that he consider creating a unified directorate for the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres. In May of this year, during a meeting with the President, the conductor expressed his readiness to take on large-scale tasks.
