Maestro Valery Gergiev is a Russian conductor and Artistic and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. One of the world’s best-known conductors, he also works with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Orchestra of the New York Metropolitan Opera and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Maestro Gergiev and his orchestra have visited Finland many times and view the Mikkeli Music Festival, in particular, with great affection. Valery Gergiev has been Artistic Director of the Mikkeli Music Festival since 1993.