Armenia is a land of music - Gergiev

On the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of Armenia's independence, St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre yesterday gave a concert in Yerevan's Opera and Ballet Theatre under conductor Valery Gergiev.

Speaking at a news conference before the concert, the renowned Russian musician said it was a big honor to him to conduct the concert in Armenia.

"I am very happy we are in Armenia and twice as happy [our presence] coincides with such festivity. I am hopeful that the 20th, but also the 30th, 40th and 50th anniversaries of independence will be celebrated with such big musical events," he said. "Armenia is a land of music and it is pleasant for my orchestra of St Petersburg to attend such important jubilee. My biography is closely associated with Armenia, and it seems as though I had returned to my homeland"

Gergiev recalled his hard time in Armenia when he had to leave for Leningrad (the former name of St Petersburg) and travel back to Armenia twice a week.

"I do want to believe that my friends will be among the spectators, as they were two years ago. I have many friends here, and have managed to see only some of them, but have talked to the others," he said.

Speaking of Armenia composers' art, Gergiev added: "Contemporary Armenian composers' music can and must be performed in Moscow and St Petersburg. I will contribute to that."

He further referred to future plans on contemporary music.

"We have huge theaters; Spartak was staged [in St Petersburg] in my absence. With its big and spectacular scenery, it is the precious piece of our repertoire," he said.