The Daily Journal – Gustavo Dudamel bid farewell to the Los Angeles Philharmonic after 17 years as its music director with a benefit concert for the victims of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
Under the title “Concert for Venezuela,” the event took place at the Hollywood Bowl, where Dudamel shared the stage with internationally renowned artists including Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay; Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade; Colombian artist Carlos Vives; and Meme del Real of Café Tacvba.
“Music has a very special power that goes beyond entertainment. It profoundly transforms our lives, and when we face a moment like this, such a difficult and complex time for Venezuela, we come together through art and beauty,” the Barquisimeto-born conductor told the 17,000 people who attended the event.
Dudamel also reaffirmed that during difficult times, music connects people through mutual support. “United, we are stronger.”
The concert on Sunday, August 23, marked the third in a series of three consecutive events celebrating the Venezuelan conductor’s legacy in the second-largest city in the United States.
Organizers channeled all proceeds through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). The Los Angeles Philharmonic also contributed $50,000.
