‘Welcome Gustavo!’ Dudamel Kicks Off the NY Philharmonic Season as Official Conductor, with Joaquina, Lizzo & St. Vincent as Guests

The New York Philharmonic has kicked off its 2026-27 season with new conductor Gustavo Dudamel. On Thursday night (Sept. 10), at the Radio City Music Hall, the acclaimed Venezuelan maestro — a known promoter of classical music as a fundamental right for all — gathered a multigenerational audience for an eclectic program that went from Gershwin to Arturo Márquez, to St. Vincent, Joaquina, Lizzo and more.

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Upon his entrance on stage, the conductor was greeted with a rave round of applause, which he thanked with a smile and immediately set to work. “Welcome Gustavo!” read an image at the back of the stage. The night opened with a powerful overture to Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band” (1927) that got things heating up, and followed with a set featuring St. Vincent, who looked sharp in a black balloon skirt and matching leather jacket, carrying a bright red electric guitar.

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.

Actor Liev Schreiber, a born New Yorker who served as the night’s host, tried to describe him humorously: “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,” he said, making everyone laugh. “Then, added several thousand volts of electricity, an unreasonable amount of hair… baked the whole thing into a giant musical arepa, and give it a baton.”

The night followed with Philip Glass’ “Anniversary Concert Overture” (2012) and Tony-Award winning actor-singer Aaron Tveit, who delighted the audience with a couple songs.

Later came Venezuelan singer-songwriter Joaquina, who shined in a long red dress belting heartfelt renditions of her songs “Pesimista” and “El Alquimista,” which were elevated by the beauty of the orchestra and her long-time producer, Colombian musician Julio Reyes Copello, at the piano — her voice always cutting through.

“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,” the Latin Grammy-winner previously told Billboard. “As a Venezuelan, I feel very proud to be part of such a momentous night. 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. 9” (2017), Lizzo came out to close the night with a bang. In a long, body-hugging white dress, the versatile superstar — who not only sang, but also played the flute — dazzled with hits including “Cuz I Love You” and “Truth Hurts,” which sounded even grander with full orchestra support. She saluted her mother, who was celebrating her birthday, and also Dudamel as the New York Philharmonic new music and artistic director.

Dudamel, who served as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 17 years, joins a list of lead conductors at the NY Phil that includes Leonard Bernstein (1958–1969), Gustav Mahler (1909-1911) and Zubin Mehta (1978–1991). He succeeds maestro Jaap van Zweden, who served from 2018 to 2024.