NEW YORK — Carnegie Hall is saying “nyet” to two prominent, Putin-supporting musicians who were supposed to perform at the vaunted concert space this weekend.
“Recent world events” have booted prominent Russian conductor and Russian President Vladimir Putin pal Valery Gergiev off the world-renowned stage, where he will not conduct the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the venue said Thursday.
Also absent will be pianist Denis Matsuev, another Putin supporter.
They were scheduled to appear in three concerts this weekend but are no longer doing so “due to recent world events,” a spokesperson told Gothamist, without providing further details.
Putin invaded neighboring Ukraine on Thursday, sending tanks rolling over the border and shelling the 44-million-population sovereign nation.
Advocates for Ukraine had been protesting the artists’ planned appearances.
Gergiev, one of the most prominent conductors in the world, has long been a vocal supporter of Putin and his actions in areas of Ukraine, according to NPR. His replacement will be Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Carnegie said in a short statement.
Likewise, Matsuev has publicly endorsed Putin’s actions abroad, most notably his 2014 annexation of Crimea. His replacement was not yet announced Thursday evening.
“Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra are immensely grateful to Yannick Nézet-Séguin for stepping in for these performances at very short notice,” the hall said.
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