Sad news from Russia:
Rostropovich Being Treated in Moscow Cancer Clinic By Matthew Westphal
08 Feb 2007The cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich is undergoing treatment at Russia’s top cancer clinic; visits are restricted and doctors are concerned about his condition.According to a report in today’s edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda, the hospital to which Rostropovich was admitted two days ago is the Blokhin Cancer Center in Moscow, the nation’s top oncology clinic. The paper says that, after falling seriously ill in Paris on Monday (February 5), he “refused the services” of physicians there and flew to the Russian capital the following day.
The 79-year-old maestro has undergone “a complex operation,”according to KP, and his doctors are “seriously worried” about his condition. Currently only his closest relations and associates are allowed to visit him; a special exception was made for President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.