Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra gives concert in Palmyra

St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra has given a concert this afternoon at the amphitheatre in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra.

“On May 5, at 17:00 Moscow time [14:00 GMT], the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, conducted by People’s Artist of Russia Valery Gergiev, will hold the ‘Pray for Palmyra. Music Revives Ancient Ruins’ concert on the stage of Palmyra’s world-famous amphitheater,” read a press release from the Mariinsky Theatre.

While Mr Gergiev is renowned as a conductor throughout the world, he is also well known for his outspoken pro-Kremlin views and for conducting concerts in politically sensitive locations. In 2008, for example, he conducted a concert in Tskhinvali, the main city in the disputed region of South Ossetia.

Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary for Mr Putin, said in a press statement that the concert “deserves to be valued most highly” as a gesture of solidarity and “refusal to accept violence and terrorism”.

In 2015, Palmyra came under the control of Isis, which later destroyed a number of the site’s buildings. The city was retaken by the Syrian Army on 27 March 2016.

Source: Daily Mail