Dudamel and the Nutcracker a potent mix for the Christmas festivities in Rome .
With the ballet at the opera house too ,Tchaikowsky reigns in the Eternal city.

The very first time I heard Dudamel was many years ago on this very stage with his Bolivar Orchestra from Venezuela and Abreu’s El Sistema that Claudio Abbado had discovered and brought to Europe .
An infectious joy of making music and turning concerts into an exhilarating party experience showing the power of music to conquer even the most desperate situations.
Gustavo had been first violin of that orchestra when Abreu took the kids off the most desperately poor streets and got them making music together. And what music it was when the lights were lowered at the end and suddenly all the youthful players donned their multicoloured jackets and intoned their native music throwing their instruments into the air while they played with an infectious ‘joie de vivre’ that gradually conquered all the capitals of Europe and the world .

Dudamel has learnt the ropes with his friends as did Rattle in Birmingham or Pappano in Rome and like his illustrious colleagues he too now conducts the greatest orchestras in the most hallowed halls worldwide .
In London Dudamel signifies a queue for tickets as we used only to do for Rubinstein or Klemperer.

And Dudamel at the helm of the magnificent Santa Cecilia Orchestra had sparks flying in all directions .Dancing on the podium ,just as the ballet dancers are at the Costanzi Opera House ,with the music deep in his heart as he brought a scintillating Nutcracker to the magnificent Parco della Musica. S.Cecilia’s youngest ever leader Andrea Obiso like Dudamel when he was leading the Bolivar Orchestra looking his colleagues in the eye as his spontaneous music making ignited his whole being.

Even the children’s choir magnificently prepared by Claudia Morelli came marching on just before the interval to join in the fun. Dudamel like a father to each and every one that he saluted as he encouraged them to sing their youthful hearts out .

A reception for our friend Gustavo that was worthy of a football stadium,with stamping of feet and cheering not only from the audience but also from an orchestra that has rarely had such an exhilarating and uplifting experience.

Dudamel in Rome – The Joy of Music