Hungarian Opera invites Valery Gergiev to perform Mahler's Eighth Symphony

The Hungarian State Opera Theater has again invited Russian conductor Valery Gergiev to perform Gustav Mahler's Eighth Symphony.

This work is traditionally performed in Budapest on International Music Day, which is celebrated on October 1. The theater's general director Sylvester Okovacs announced this at a press conference.

He recalled that the theater would like to see Gergiev on stage in 2024. According to him, the conductor was supposed to lead the orchestra, which on that day is performing a large-scale symphony that requires the participation of a large number of musicians, soloists and choirs. However, the maestro, who now directs both the Mariinsky Theater and the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, was unable to participate due to a busy work schedule.

Okovac added that the invitation for Gergiev remains open. The theater is ready to accept it when the conductor has the opportunity.