Valery Gergiev Explains the Importance of Countryside Performances for Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres

People's Artist of Russia Valery Gergiev explained the significance of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres performing in the Russian countryside, the birthplace of composers like Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, and Glinka.

In a "Good Morning" interview on Channel One, Gergiev said, "To understand a master composer, one must understand what connects him to his birthplace." He emphasized the value of knowing the history and origins of places that gave birth to great composers.

Gergiev recounted visits to Glinka's birthplace in Smolensk, Prokofiev's birthplace in Donetsk, and Rimsky-Korsakov's birthplace in Tikhvin. He noted that these experiences changed him as a person and musician.

He stressed the importance of performing in the hinterlands, particularly in the homelands of classical composers. "Hearing Glinka and Mussorgsky in Pskov, Rimsky-Korsakov in Tikhvin, Tchaikovsky in Votkinsk - people were delighted that we came to them," Gergiev said.

Gergiev is confident that the festival will continue and that the Mariinsky and Bolshoi companies will keep traveling to the regions, as tens of thousands of regional spectators eagerly await their performances.