From Billboard · Sigal Ratner-Arias · · 1m 50s
Dudamel Opens the NY Phil With Lizzo and a Red Guitar
Gustavo Dudamel's first night leading the New York Philharmonic mixed Gershwin, Sondheim and pop stars at Radio City.
In brief
Gustavo Dudamel's first night leading the New York Philharmonic mixed Gershwin, Sondheim and pop stars at Radio City. Dudamel's opening night was a thesis statement: classical music belongs to everyone, so the program pulled from Broadway, rock, Latin pop and the concert hall in one sitting. Originally reported by…
A new era at Radio City
The New York Philharmonic opened its 2026-27 season on Sept. 10 with Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel at the podium, before a multigenerational crowd at Radio City Music Hall.
““Welcome Gustavo!” read an image at the back of the stage.”
Gershwin, then a rock star
The night started with the overture to Gershwin's "Strike Up the Band" from 1927, then handed the stage to St. Vincent in a black balloon skirt with a bright red electric guitar.
St. Vincent goes Bond
She and the orchestra turned "Smoking Section" into something haunting and cinematic, then played "New York," telling the room the city was very happy to have Dudamel.
The funniest introduction
Host Liev Schreiber described Dudamel as a recipe: Billy Joel, Basquiat, Tito Puente, a dash of Streisand, and no Messi at all, baked into a giant musical arepa.
““Several thousand volts of electricity, an unreasonable amount of hair… and give it a baton.””
Broadway takes a turn
After Philip Glass' "Anniversary Concert Overture," Aaron Tveit sang "Something's Coming" and "Maria" from West Side Story, plus "Being Alive" from Company.
A Venezuelan homecoming
Joaquina sang "Pesimista" and "El Alquimista" in a long red dress, with producer Julio Reyes Copello at the piano. She called sharing the night with a fellow Venezuelan a point of pride.
““It is a vote of confidence that I do not take lightly.””
Lizzo closes it out
In a white floor-length dress, Lizzo sang and played flute through "Cuz I Love You" and "Truth Hurts." Dudamel now joins a line that runs through Mahler, Bernstein and Mehta.
What to remember
Dudamel's opening night was a thesis statement: classical music belongs to everyone, so the program pulled from Broadway, rock, Latin pop and the concert hall in one sitting.
