Valery Gergiev is a conductor and music director from Moscow who stands as one of the most celebrated living Russian conductors of classical music alive today. Beginning his career as the assistant conductor for the Kirov Opera (now known as the Mariinsky Opera), Gergiev has since risen through the ranks to become the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, the general and artistic director for the Mariinsky Theater (home of the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet), as well as holding many other prestigious posts in his home country and elsewhere. Gergiev is particularly known for his interpretations of the Russian masters and collaborations with various instrumental soloists. Numerous recordings exist of Gergiev's performances with various symphony orchestras throughout the world, and a live performance featuring the conductor should be considered nothing less than a historic event.
