Russian Orchestra Performs in Palmyra Ruins
Conductor Valery Gergiev leads a performance by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra at the UNESCO world heritage site of Palmyra, Syria.
The renowned Russian conductor led a concert on Thursday in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The orchestra played pieces by J.S. Bach, Sergei Prokofiev and Rodion Shchedrin in the Roman amphitheater — the location of a 2015 Islamic State film featuring the execution of 25 people.
The Russian broadcast of the event interspersed concert footage with Islamic State violence.
The concert was organized in memory of Alexander Prokhorenko, a Russian soldier who died while fighting to retake the city in March. The soldier called air strikes on his own position after being surrounded by Islamic State fighters.
Islamic State is a terrorist group banned in Russia.
The renowned Russian conductor led a concert on Thursday in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The orchestra played pieces by J.S. Bach, Sergei Prokofiev and Rodion Shchedrin in the Roman amphitheater — the location of a 2015 Islamic State film featuring the execution of 25 people.
The Russian broadcast of the event interspersed concert footage with Islamic State violence.
The concert was organized in memory of Alexander Prokhorenko, a Russian soldier who died while fighting to retake the city in March. The soldier called air strikes on his own position after being surrounded by Islamic State fighters.
Islamic State is a terrorist group banned in Russia.
Kremlin Press Office
Violinist Pavel Miliyukov performs on stage.
SANA / Reuters
People attend a concert by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra.
SANA / Reuters
Conductor Valery Gergiev leads a performance.
Kremlin Press Office
Cellist Sergei Roldugin performs on stage.
Russian Defense Ministry
Russia's Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra performs at the amphitheater of the Syrian city of Palmyra.
SANA / Reuters