Italy cancels gig with pro-Putin conductor

Italian authorities have cancelled a classical concert that was scheduled for Sunday following criticism over the attendance of a top Russian conductor shunned in the West since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

- ALVISE ARMELLINI

Valery Gergiev, who is widely regarded as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, had been expected to lead an Italian orchestra and soloists from St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, which he heads, on July 27.

The Reggia di Caserta, a grand 18th century palace near Naples which had been due to host the concert, said in a short statement on Monday that the event had been called off. It gave no reason.

The performance had drawn criticism last week from Italian politicians and international activists, including the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who called Gergiev an “accomplice” of Putin.