Munich, Rotterdam may fire Russian composer Gergiev, London drops Bolshoi

A member of "Russia Tomorrow" association holds a placard during a protest against the regime of the Russian president, at the entrance of the Auditori musical complex in Barcelona where Russian conductor Valery Gergiev performed last month. Photo:

Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter has threatened to remove Valery Gergiev as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic unless Gergiev publicly says by Monday that he does not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra also said it would drop the 68-year-old Russian's planned festival there this September if he does not stop supporting Russia President Vladimir Putin.