Verbier says Gergiev resigns as festival head at its request

The Verbier Festival says conductor Valery Gergiev resigned as music director at its request.

The Swiss classic music festival said it made the change as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Gergiev, 68, is a friend and supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Gergiev succeeded Charles Dutoit as festival director in 2018. This year's festival is scheduled from July 15-31.

Verbier said Monday it will return 'œdonations from any individual sanctioned by a western government'ť and will exclude 'œartists who have publicly aligned themselves with the Russian government's actions.'ť

Gergiev is the music director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and its White Nights Festival, as well as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic.

Gergiev was dropped last week from the Vienna Philharmonic's five-concert U.S. tour, and his management company said Sunday it will no longer represent him.

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter threatened to remove Gergiev as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic unless Gergiev publicly said by Monday that he does not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra also said it would drop the 68-year-old Russian's planned festival there this September if he does not stop supporting Russia President Vladimir Putin.

Milan's Teatro alla Scala said unless Gergiev makes a clear statement in favor of a peaceful resolution in the Ukraine, Gergiev would not be permitted to return to complete his engagement conducting Tchaikovsky's 'œThe Queen of Spades,'ť which resumes March 5.