Russia | Mikhail Baryshnikov | Rudolf Nureyev | St. Petersburg

So how long will Gergiev stay in Russia before moving to capitalize on his fame in the West, like Kirov stalwarts Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov before him? The situation for artists in today’s Russia is quite different, and Gergiev says he enjoys more flexibility and freedom in St. Petersburg than he would find at the helm of another institution, even though he could probably make more money and have fewer headaches abroad. He says there is no reason for him to leave, now that the Mariinsky is on solid financial ground.

“It would be difficult to say that the Mariinsky is not interesting enough, not prestigious enough, did not offer enough money, which is not how I see things, and did not offer enough opportunities, which would be untrue,” Gergiev says. “I have more opportunities here than anywhere else in the world. People say that the infrastructure, the rules, and the financial backing are so much stronger in the West. I would say yes, but we are catching up. If you could show me another institution which has the same dynamics, then I may consider [leaving] my post, but I don’t think you will have an easy time finding another place to compete with this.”
is a writer based in london. his work has also appeared in esquire, rolling stone, and condé nast traveler.