Gianluca Marciano, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Tbilisi State Opera & Balle Theater and Artistic Director of the Al Bustan festival in Beirut, has been blacklisted by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs because he will be travelling today to Artskah for the premiere of Verdi’s Requiem.

Marciano was invited to attend the performance by Armenia’s First Lady Rita Sargsyan.

Several days ago Marciano told reporters that he was not at all concerned about being blacklisted by Baku and that the program in Artskah was a cultural one that spoke of peace.

“Political issues cannot stop me from going. This is such a cultural program calling for the borders to be opened and to live in peace. I believe that any artist would not refuse to attend such an event,” said Marciano.