Gustavo Dudamel Takes Helm at New York Philharmonic with Star-Studded Welcome

4:21 PM ETDeveloping

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Actor Liev Schreiber hosted the New York Philharmonic's opening night, introducing Gustavo Dudamel with a humorous and heartfelt tribute.

Actor Liev Schreiber, a native New Yorker, hosted the New York Philharmonic's opening night, introducing Gustavo Dudamel with a humorous and heartfelt tribute. 'Imagine if you added a teaspoon of Billy Joel, an ounce of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a cup of Tito Puente to a dash of Barbra Streisand, and absolutely nothing of Leo Messi,' Schreiber quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.

The New York Philharmonic has kicked off its 2026-27 season with Dudamel, who was appointed in 2023 but is only now taking over due to the drawn-out nature of classical music transitions. The night featured a star-studded lineup, including St. Vincent, Joaquina, Aaron Tveit, and Lizzo, who showcased her classical training as a flutist.

St. Vincent and Lizzo, among others, collaborated with the orchestra, with Lizzo performing her best-known hits and even showing off her classical training. The evening also included pieces by Jessie Montgomery and Arturo Márquez, with Dudamel's famous curls bouncing joyously as he passionately conducted the orchestra.

Gustavo Dudamel expressed gratitude for the New York Philharmonic's trust, stating, 'I am eternally grateful to the New York Philharmonic and, above all, to Gustavo Dudamel for placing their trust in me. It is a vote of confidence that I do not take lightly.

What's confirmed

The New York Philharmonic has kicked off its 2026-27 season with new conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

What's still developing

“Welcome Gustavo!” read an image at the back of the stage.
The American rocker, along with the NY Phil, brought a James Bond vibe with a haunting rendition of her song “Smoking Section,” which she appropriately followed with “New York,” saying the city was “very happy” to welcome Dudamel — whose famous curls bounced joyously as he passionately conducted the orchestra.
Gustavo is one of the greatest musicians our land has produced, and it inspires me greatly to see a Venezuelan at the helm of one of the world’s most important philharmonic orchestras.” After pieces also including Jessie Montgomery’s “Banner” (2017) and Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No.
“Let’s face it: Gustavo Dudamel is not an easy person to describe – but God help me, I’m going to try,” he said.
Bake the whole thing into one giant musical arepa, and give it a baton.
Dudamel was appointed in 2023 but is only now taking over because of how drawn-out these transitions tend to be in the classical music world, which relies on annual subscription revenue and plans programs years in advance.

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