Valery Gergiev (on the left)

Valery Abisalovich Gergiev (Ossetic: Гергиты Абисалы фырт Валери; Russian: Вале́рий Абиса́лович Ге́ргиев) (b. 2 May 1953) is a Russian conductor and opera company director. He is general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera. Valery Gergiev is the artistic director of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg. The Ethnolinguistic patchwork of the modern Caucasus - CIA map Ossetic or Ossetian (Ossetic: or , Persian: اوسِتی) is an Iranian language spoken in Ossetia, a region on the slopes of the Caucasus mountains on the borders of Russia and Georgia. ... is the 122nd day of the year (123rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A conductor conducting at a ceremony A conductors score and batons Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... For other uses, see Opera (disambiguation). ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (RPHO) is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Rotterdam. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... The White Nights Festival in St. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland...

Biography

Gergiev, born in Moscow, is the son of Tamara Tatarkanovna and Abisal Zaurbekovich.^[1] He and his siblings were raised in Vladikavkaz in their native North Ossetia in the Caucasus. While not a child prodigy, he began piano at secondary school, before going on to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Leningrad from 1972 to 1977. His principal conducting teacher was Prof. Ilya Musin (Илья Мусин), one of the greatest conductor-makers in Russian musical history. His sister, Larissa Gergieva, is the director of the Mariinsky's singers' academy.^[2] For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... Photo of Vladikavkaz cathedral mosque in 1912. ... The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (Russian: Респу́блика Се́верная Осе́тия-Ала́ния; Ossetic: Цæгат Ирыстоны Аланийы Республикæ) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Caucasus Mountains. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ... Theatre Square and the conservatory in 1913. ... Leningrad (Russian: Ленинград) may mean: St. ...

Career

In 1978, he became assistant conductor at the Kirov Opera, now the Mariinsky Opera, under Yuri Temirkanov, where he made his debut conducting Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace. He was chief conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra from 1981 until 1985 - the year he made his debut appearance in the United Kingdom, along with pianist Evgeny Kissin, and violinists Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin, at The Lichfield Festival. The Mariinsky Theatre, known as the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1934-92, is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in St Petersburg. ... View of the Mariinsky Theatre in the 1890s. ... Yuri Khatuevich Temirkanov (born December 10, 1938) is a Russian conductor. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... War and Peace (Op. ... The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra was formed over 75 years ago in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. ... Evgeny Kissin Evgeny Igorevich Kissin (Russian Евге́ний И́горевич Ки́син, Evgenij Igorevič Kisin) (born October 10, 1971) is a virtuoso classical pianist. ... Maxim Vengerov (born August 20, 1974 in the Siberian Federal District capital, Novosibirsk) is a Russian violinist. ... Vadim Repin (born Novosibirsk, Western Siberia, 31 August 1971) is a Russian violinist. ...

In 1991, for the first time, Gergiev conducted a western European opera company with the Bavarian State Opera in a performance of Modest Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov in Munich. In the same year he made his American début, performing War and Peace with the San Francisco Opera. Since then he has conducted both operatic and orchestral repertoire across the world. Gergiev is also associated with numerous music festivals, including the White Nights festival in Saint Petersburg. Munich, National Theatre The Bayerische Staatsoper or Bavarian State Opera is an opera company in Munich and is one of the leading opera companies in Germany and the world and has existed since 1653. ... Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (Russian: , Modest Petrovič Musorgskij, French: ) (March 9/21, 1839 – March 16/28, 1881), one of the Russian composers known as the Five, was an innovator of Russian music. ... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ... For other uses, see Munich (disambiguation). ... The San Francisco War Memorial Opera House San Francisco Opera (SFO) is the second largest opera company in North America. ... For other uses, see Opera (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Orchestra (disambiguation). ...

He became the chief conductor and artistic director of the Mariinsky in 1988, and overall director of the company, appointed by the Russian government, in 1996. In addition to his artistic work with the Mariinsky, Gergiev has worked in fund-raising for such projects as the recently built 1100-seat Mariinsky Hall, and intends to achieve complete renovations of the Mariinsky Theatre by 2010.^[3]

In 1995, he began his tenure as principal conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Gergiev will step down from his Rotterdam position in August 2008. In 1997, Gergiev became principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. His current contract there runs through the 2007-2008 season. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (RPHO) is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Rotterdam. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

In 2002 he conducted a key scene in the film Russian Ark, directed by Alexander Sokurov and filmed at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Also see: 2002 (number). ... Russian Ark (Русский ковчег) is a 2002 movie by Russian director Alexander Sokurov. ... Alexander Nikolayevich Sokurov is a Russian auteur filmmaker from St Petersburg who has been hailed as successor to Andrei Tarkovsky. ... The State Hermitage Museum (Russian: ) in Saint Petersburg, Russia is one of the largest museums in the world, with 3 million works of art (not all on display at once), [1] and one of the oldest art galleries and museums of human history and culture in the world. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the delta of the river Neva at the east end of the Gulf of Finland...

In 2003, he initiated and conducted at the Mariinsky Theatre the first complete cycle of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung to be performed in Russia for over 90 years. The production's design and concept reflects many aspects of Ossetian culture. Gergiev conducted this production in Cardiff in 2006 at the Wales Millennium Centre, and in Costa Mesa, California in October 2006 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. This production was presented at the Lincoln Center in New York City in July 2007 to a great acclaim, and the run was completely sold out. Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or music dramas as they were later called). ... Der Ring des Nibelungen, (The Ring of the Nibelung), is a cycle of four epic music dramas by the German composer Richard Wagner. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... The Wales Millennium Centre The Millennium Centre on its opening night The Wales Millennium Centre (Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru) is a £106 million performing arts complex located on the Cardiff Bay waterfront. ... Official website: http://ci. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

In 1988, Gergiev made his first guest conducting appearance with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). In his next appearance with the LSO in 2004, he conducted the symphonies of Sergei Prokofiev.^[4] This engagement led to his appointment in 2005 as the Orchestra's fifteenth principal conductor, succeeding Sir Colin Davis effective January 1, 2007.^[5] Gergiev's initial contract with the LSO was for 3 years.^[6] His first official concert as the LSO Principal Conductor was on 23 January 2007, as he was supposed to have conducted his first concert as LSO Principal Conductor on 13 January, but had to withdraw because of illness.^[7] The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... For the former Formula One driver, see Colin Davis (driver) Sir Colin Rex Davis, CH, CBE (b. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

In October of 2007 Gergiev took part in a unique holiday project featured in the 100th anniversary issue of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. A concert by Gergiev and the Kirov Orchestra featuring piano virtuoso Lola Astanova became a part of a $1.59 million fantasy gift. The super concert is said to be hosted by the Emmy-winning American television personality Regis Philbin.^[8] Categories: Stub | Retail companies of the United States ... Lola Astanova (Copyright 2005) Lola Astanova (Russian: , born in Tashkent, former USSR) is a Soviet-born virtuoso pianist, famous for her technique, speed and power, and exceptional interpretations of compositions by Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff. ... An Emmy Award. ... Regis Francis Xavier Philbin (born August 25, 1931) is an Emmy Award-winning American television personality and occasional actor known for his roles as a talk show host, game show host, and presenter at various events. ...

Gergiev has a reputation for a passionate, apparently abrasive, conducting style, and a tendency to grunt at the podium.^[9] He is a driven conductor who produces his best in pieces of great drama. He stated that his favourite composer is Sergei Prokofiev in his DVD recording of Prokofiev's Scythian Suite. He was awarded the 2006 Polar Music Prize together with Led Zeppelin. Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... The Scythian Suite is an orchestral suite by Sergei Prokofiev written in 1916. ... The Polar Music Prize is an international music prize and awarded to individuals, groups or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music. The prize was founded in 1989 following a donation from Stig Anderson and is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ...

Personal life

In April 2007, Gergiev was one of eight conductors of British orchestras to endorse the 10-year classical music outreach manifesto, "Building on Excellence: Orchestras for the 21st century", to increase the presence of classical music in the UK, including giving free entry to all British schoolchildren to a classical music concert.^[10]

Gergiev has also been a consistent supporter of peace in the Caucasus, particularly in the conflict between the Georgian central government and South Ossetia. After the 2004 Beslan school massacre, Gergiev made an appeal on television for calm and against any revenge. He conducted concerts in tribute to the victims of the massacre.^[11] Anthem unknown Capital Tskhinvali Official languages Ossetian1 Government  -  President Eduard Kokoity  -  Prime Minister Yury Morozov De facto independence from Georgia  -  Declared November 28, 1991   -  Recognition none  Currency Russian ruble (RUB) Russian in widespread use by government and other institutions. ...

In 1999, Gergiev married the musician Natalya Debisova and they have three children.

Recordings

Gergiev has focussed on recording Russian composers' works, both opera and symphonic, including Mikhail Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Most of his recordings, on the Philips label, are with the Kirov Orchestra, while he has also recorded with the Vienna Philharmonic. A recent undertaking, the complete Prokofiev Symphonies, is with the LSO.^[12] Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (Russian: Mihail Ivanovič Glinka) (June 1, 1804 [O.S. May 20] - February 15, 1857 [O.S. February 3]), was the first Russian composer to gain wide recognition inside his own country, and is often regarded as the father of Russian classical music. ... “Tchaikovsky” redirects here. ... Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin (Russian: , Aleksandr Porfirevič Borodin) (31 Oct. ... Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: , Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov), also Nikolay, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 6 (N.S. March 18), 1844 – June 8 (N.S. June 21) 1908) was a Russian composer, one of five Russian composers known as The Five, and was later a... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokofijev; April 27 (April 151 O.S.), 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian and Soviet composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... Dmitri Shostakovich in 1942 Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906 – August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ... The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. ...

Discography

Ballets

Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev based on Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. ... The Sleeping Beauty (Russian: , Spyashchaya Krasavitsa) is a ballet in a prologue and three acts, Opus 66, by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. ... This article is about the ballet. ... The Valse des cygnes from Act II of the Ivanov/Petipa edition of Swan Lake. ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ...

Operas

For the historical figure, see Igor Svyatoslavich. ... Ruslan and Lyudmila (Russian: , Ruslan i Lyudmila) is an opera in five acts (eight tableaux) composed by Mikhail Glinka between 1837 and 1842. ... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ... Khovanshchina (Russian: , Hovánščina, sometimes rendered The Khovansky Affair) is an opera (subtitled a national music drama) in five acts by Modest Mussorgsky. ... The Love for Three Oranges (Любовь к трем апельсинам in Russian, Lyubov k Tryom Apelsinam in transliteration) is an opera by Sergei Prokofiev to a libretto based on the play Lamore delle tre melarance by Carlo Gozzi. ... Semyon Kotko (Семён Котко in Russian) is an opera in five acts by Sergei Prokofiev to a libretto by Sergei Prokofiev and Valentin Katayev based on Valentin Katayevs 1937 novel I Am The Son Of Working People. ... The Gambler (Russian: Игрок — Igrok in transliteration) is an opera in four acts by Sergei Prokofiev to a Russian libretto by the composer, based on the story of the same name by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. ... War and Peace (Op. ... Betrothal in a Monastery (Obrucheniye v monastïrein in transliteration) is an opera in four acts by Sergei Prokofiev to a Russian libretto by the composer and his second wife Mira Mendelson, based on Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s comic opera libretto The Duenna. ... The Queen of Spades (Пиковая дама in Russian, Pikovaya dama in transliteration) is an opera in three acts by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to a Russian libretto by the composers brother Modest Tchaikovsky, based on a short story by the poet Aleksandr Pushkin. ... Mazeppa, also Mazepa (Russian: ) is an opera in three acts (six scenes) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to a Russian libretto by Victor Burenin, based on Pushkins poem Poltava. ... This article describes the Tchaikovsky Gilbert and Sullivan, see Iolanthe. ...

Orchestral Works

Orchestral works with soloists

Vocal Works

Videos

DVD

• Valery Gergiev in Rehearsal and Performance
• 60 Minutes: The Wild Man of Music, 2004.
• Valery Gergiev Conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Prokofiev, Schnittke & Stravinsky, 2003.
• Verdi: La forza del destino, Marinsky Theatre Orchestra, 1998.
• Rimsky-Korsadov: Sadko, Kirov Opera, 2006.
• Puccini: Turandot, Vienna Philharmonic, 2006.
• Prokofiev: Betrothal in a Monastery, Kirov Opera, 2005.
• Shostakovich against Stalin, 2005.
• "All the Russias - a musical journey": a five-part documentary through the tradition and heritage of Russian music.

The word Russia has been used to refer to several Russian states: Russian Federation, the modern successor state of Russian SFSR and the Soviet Union The Soviet Union, a multinational union of socialist republics Russian SFSR, a soviet republic in the union Bolshevik Russia, the revolutionary state during the Russian...

VHS

• Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov, Kirov Opera, 1993.
• Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame, Kirov Opera, 1994.
• Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame, Acts 1 and 2, Kirov Opera, 1992.
• Mussorgsky: Kovanshchina, Kirov Orchestra, 1994.
• Prokofiev: Fiery Angel, Polygram Video, 1996.

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Valery Gergiev Official website
• Valery Gergiev at Allmusic
• Liebesnacht Gergiev festival (Dutch)
• Biography of and CDs by Valery Gergiev by cosmopolis.ch