The Los Angeles Philharmonic has canceled all four Hollywood Bowl performances featuring Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, citing "travel complications" as the reason.
The cancellation has sparked speculation about visa issues and the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies. The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra is part of Venezuela's famed music education program, El Sistema, which also counts Dudamel as an alumnus.
Dudamel was set to conduct eight shows in August, four of which were with the Bolívar Orchestra. The cancellation means his appearances on the Bowl's stage will be reduced to a single week during his 16th and penultimate season before he leaves L.A. to become music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic in 2026.
Gustavo Dudamel to Perform with Coldplay in the UK
Despite the cancellation, Dudamel will still perform with the Bolívar Orchestra alongside rock band Coldplay at Wembley Stadium in late August and early September. The sold-out shows will feature Dudamel conducting the orchestra in a special guest appearance.
Ticket holders for the canceled Bowl shows will receive emails about the cancellations and will be offered alternative programming, including performances by Elim Chan, James Ehnes, and the L.A. Phil, as well as Gemma New and Pacho Flores.
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