Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Virtuoso conductor Gustavo Dudamel has officially taken his place as the new Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The astonishingly charismatic and talented 28-year-old conductor from Venezuela is creating excitement and enthusiasm (in both English and Spanish) with a style and stance that appeals to a mutli-cultural audience and spans all age groups.

Maestro Dudamel, in fact, is focused on spreading exceptional music throughout the city. In addition to his important schedule at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dudamel also seems intent on bringing self-esteem to Southern California Latinos and making music accessible to all–even those who thought they’d never even let their MP3 players near a classical piece.

Before coming to L.A., Dudamel was Music Director of Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony. He now succeeds Esa-Pekka Salonen as the 11th Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the L.A. Phil

Tonight Dudamel will present his long-awaited inaugural event at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where he will conduct the world premiere of John Adams’ City Noir–inspired by Los Angeles–and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles 90012 (see map)
Phone: (323) 850-2000

Photo credit: laura padgett@flickr