“Madonna’s concert on August 2 in St. Petersburg in Palace Square has to be free of blasphemy,” says Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of State Hermitage Museum.

The State Hermitage Museum is located just a few steps away from the venue of Madonna’s first-ever gig in St. Petersburg.

One of the highlights of Madonna’s programme is her number one hit ‘Live to Tell’. The Queen of Pop appears on stage crucified on a mirrored cross. The performance has been criticized by religious leaders in Russia and overseas. In 2006 when Madonna performed Live to Tell in Moscow, the Russian Orthodox Church called it blasphemy and an insult to Christianity.

Despite being damned by many, ‘Live to Tell’ still causes controversy.

“We want a guarantee that there will be no blasphemy on the Palace Square. And although it can be called violation to freedom of speech, on our Palace Square there’s [Alexander Column topped by] angel holding a cross,” Piotrovsky said.

According to the Hermitage director, the Material Girl should not perform in St. Petersburg’s Palace Square at all. Piotrovsky has been voicing fears over the sound volume, which, if loud enough, could damage artworks in the Hermitage Museum during concerts.

It’s not clear yet whether Madonna will perform ‘Live to Tell’ at all. Her updated Sticky & Sweet 2009 Tour features special guest Paul Oakenfold. Tickets to her show in St. Petersburg are sold out.

In 2008 her shows played before 2,350,282 fans and sold over $280 million in tickets worldwide.