Valery Gergiev to Conduct Munich Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, 4/12

Carnegie Hall today announced that conductor Valery Gergiev will step in for Lorin Maazel on Friday, April 11 at 8:00 p.m., leading the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in the first of two all-Richard Strauss programs this week at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Due to illness, Maestro Maazel with deep regret has cancelled his professional engagements in Munich and New York this week. As previously announced, Fabio Luisi will conduct the orchestra on Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.

The two programs are unchanged, with Mr. Gergiev-the Music Director Designate of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra-leading a program of Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, and joined by pianist Emanuel Ax for Burleske. The following evening, Mr. Luisi conducts the orchestra, with soprano Karita Mattila singing the composer's Four Last Songs on a program that also includes Ein Heldenleben and Der Rosenkavalier Suite.

Carnegie Hall and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra are very grateful to Mr. Gergiev and Mr. Luisi for agreeing to conduct these concerts on short notice. Mr. Gergiev, who altered his schedule to fly from Europe expressly for this event before immediately returning to London to conduct on Sunday, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Maazel as the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra's Music Director in 2015. Mr. Luisi is currently in New York leading rehearsals of La Cenerentola and appears at Carnegie Hall courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera.

Ticketholders with questions can call CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800.