Gustavo Dudamel’s Farewell Season with the Los Angeles Philharmonic: A Celebration of Music and Legacy
A Triumphant Final Season: “Gracias Gustavo”
The 2025-26 season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic promises to be a grand farewell to Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra’s beloved music director, as he concludes his remarkable 17-year tenure. The season, aptly titled “Gracias Gustavo,” is a heartfelt tribute to Dudamel’s transformative impact on the LA Phil and the world of classical music. This final season is packed with unforgettable performances, world premieres, and collaborations with some of the most celebrated artists and composers of our time. From epic concert performances of Wagner’s Die Walküre to a world premiere by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Reid, Dudamel’s farewell season is a testament to his passion, innovation, and dedication to the art of music.
A Walküre for the Ages: Dudamel’s Wagnerian Finale
One of the most anticipated highlights of Gustavo Dudamel’s final season is his conducting of Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre, a monumental work from the composer’s iconic Ring Cycle. Over two sets of performances, from May 19-24, 2026, Dudamel will lead the orchestra and a stellar cast, including soprano Christine Goerke and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, in a concert staging of this epic opera. The performances will be further enhanced by the visionary scenic design of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, whose work has left an indelible mark on Los Angeles’ cultural landscape, including the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. This collaboration promises to be a visual and auditory masterpiece, blending the emotionally charged music of Wagner with Gehry’s innovative design. Dudamel’s interpretation of Die Walküre is expected to be nothing short of breathtaking, a fitting celebration of his time with the LA Phil.
Farewell Performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall
As Dudamel prepares to bid farewell to Walt Disney Concert Hall as music director, he will close his tenure with a deeply personal and culturally meaningful program. From June 5-7, 2026, he will lead the orchestra in performances of two works that reflect his Venezuelan heritage and his American journey: John Adams’ Harmonium and Antonio Estévez’s Cantata Criolla. Harmonium, an expansive and luminous choral work by one of America’s most influential composers, will be performed alongside Cantata Criolla, a vibrant and evocative piece that celebrates Venezuelan folk traditions. These final concerts at Disney Hall are a heartfelt tribute to Dudamel’s musical identity and his ability to bridge cultures through music. They promise to be an emotional and uplifting celebration of his artistic vision and his enduring connection to both Venezuela and the United States.
A Season of World Premieres and Global Collaboration
The 2025-26 season is not just a farewell but also a celebration of innovation and collaboration. It opens on September 25, 2025, with a world premiere of a new work for orchestra and choir by Ellen Reid, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. Co-commissioned with the New York Philharmonic, this untitled piece promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the classical music repertoire. Dudamel will also take the orchestra on an international tour, performing in Seoul, South Korea; Tokyo, Japan; and Taipei, Taiwan, from October 20-30. This tour is a testament to the LA Phil’s global reach and its commitment to sharing the transformative power of music with audiences around the world.
A New Chapter in New York
While Gustavo Dudamel’s time as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will come to an end, his musical journey is far from over. In 2026, he will begin his tenure as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world. Before his departure, however, he will lead the LA Phil in its 2026 Hollywood Bowl season, a series of outdoor concerts that have become a summer tradition in Los Angeles. These performances will be a final opportunity for Los Angeles audiences to experience Dudamel’s magic in a setting that is quintessentially LA.
A Legacy of Passion and Transformation
As Gustavo Dudamel prepares to say goodbye to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, his legacy as one of the most influential musicians of our time is already secured. Over 17 years, he has brought a renewed sense of excitement and accessibility to classical music, inspiring countless young musicians and audiences around the world. His farewell season is not just a celebration of his achievements but also a reminder of the power of music to unite and transform. From the grandeur of Wagner’s Die Walküre to the intimate beauty of Venezuelan folk music, Dudamel’s final season with the LA Phil is a gift to music lovers everywhere, a testament to his boundless passion and artistic vision.
