World famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who heads the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre, has been awarded Royal Order of the Legion of Honour, the French Culture Ministry said on Monday.

Gergiev was handed over France’s highest state award late on Sunday after his performance in Paris’ Pleyel concert hall, where he conducted the London Symphonic Orchestra playing Debussy and Stravinsky.

French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said while bestowing the award “I am admired by this energetic artist, passionate worker and protector of modern Russia and eternal music.”

The Russian conductor said in reply “Berlioz and Debussy are my Legion of Order and are pride of the French culture.”

“I love Paris, I love France and will do my utmost to promote the French music in Russia,” Gergiev said.

Valery Gergiev is one of the greatest symphonic and opera conductors. He conducts St. Petersburg’s Kirov Orchestra, London Symphonic Orchestra, and Rotterdam Philarmonic Orchestra. He is a principal guest conductor of New York’s Metropolitan Opera and one of the leading conductors in Paris Opera and Vienna Philarmonic.

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