Russian sponsorship row overshadows opening of Salzburg festival

The festival defends decision not to cancel Teodor Currentzis's appearance despite links to Putin's private bank'

The official opening of one of the world's leading classical music festivals is being overshadowed by the appearance of a conductor whose orchestra and choir are funded by a bank controlled by the Russian government.

Cultural commentators have described Austria's Salzburg festival, which is also receiving sponsorship money from a foundation with close ties to the Kremlin, of being in the grip of Vladimir Putin's influence. Along with other classical music events in the region, they argue it has turned itself into a paradise for dubious and often intransparent cultural-corporate partnerships, referred to as toxic sponsorship".