Ali Rahbari, Valery Gergiev to stage joint concert in Iran
Arts & Culture Desk
Valery Gergiev, a globally renowned conductor and the chief conductor of the Mariinsky Opera in St. Petersburg and the Bolshoi Opera Theater in Moscow, will be visiting Iran alongside Ali Rahbari, the guest conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.
Rahbari said, “Maestro Gergiev has agreed to come to Iran and perform along with me, and we plan to organize a concert with the Iranian Youth Symphony Orchestra at an appropriate time,” according to IRNA.
He continued, “This project has been planned with Susan Taqipour, and we just need to choose a suitable date for it. In this concert, I will lead the first part with dotar (a folkloric plucked musical instrument with two strings) and the symphony orchestra, featuring the performance of Aidin Olyanasab and Azin Rastegar. In the second part, Maestro Gergiev will be the conductor.”
The orchestra conductor provided further details about the project, adding that “A year ago, Taqipour contacted me, stating that there is a considerable interest among the youth and professors to work with me in Iran. Therefore, they asked me to establish a new orchestra. As I have always wished for Iran to have a youth symphony orchestra like many advanced countries, I gladly accepted the proposal.”
Speaking about Gergiev’s friendly viewpoint towards Iran, Rahbari stated, “During a televised program last summer, when Gergiev appreciated my two years of collaboration with him, he concluded by saying, ‘Hopefully, in Iran!’ I knew that Gergiev loves Iran, so I took the opportunity to promise him that one day we would stage a program together whose date has yet to be announced.”
Speaking about the purpose of coming to Iran, Rahbari said that, “The primary goal of this project is to elevate the level of musical performance among students and even their professors in the orchestra. Gergiev’s visit to Iran, not only motivates the youth but also has a global impact. Furthermore, if our youths can receive his positive feedback, the chances of inviting this orchestra to St. Petersburg and Moscow, where Gergiev is the artistic director, will increase.
Gergiev, winner of the Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition in Berlin, has led numerous renowned orchestras and major operas worldwide.
Rahbari, during the years 2014 to 2016, served as the artistic director and permanent conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.