Valery Gergiev

Valery Gergiev succeeded Georg Solti as conductor of the World Orchestra for Peace when Solti's sudden death in 1997 left the orchestra's second concert in Baden-Baden potentially in jeopardy. The decision was taken to ask Valery Gergiev, overwhelmingly the most suitable replacement, if he would step in. Gergiev was so fascinated by the idea that he postponed a previous engagement, and conducted the programme Solti had planned for the occasion.

Born in 1953, Gergiev studied conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory, and has been credited with saving the Kirov Opera at the Mariinsky Theatre and transforming it into a company of worldwide acclaim. Like Solti before him, Gergiev has worked with many of the world's leading orchestras and opera houses, and in addition has founded and remains artistic director of many international music festivals. He also shares Solti's passionate commitment to peace and a powerful sense of how music unites humanity.