Gustavo Dudamel attacked for political U-turn
Conductor criticised on television by Venezuelan president Maduro
Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel has come under fire from his country’s president for turning his back on the regime that he used to champion. Nicolas Maduro, whose four years in charge of the South American country have been marked by increasing levels of lawlessness, corruption and violence, has criticised the maestro for spending time in the US and Europe rather than in his homeland – Dudamel is the music director of both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and, in Venezuela itself, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (SBSO). ‘I hope God forgives you,’ said Maduro on TV. ‘Welcome to politics, Gustavo Dudamel. But act with ethics, and don’t let yourself be deceived into attacking the architects of this beautiful movement of young boys and girls.’
The president was referring to the government-funded El Sistema youth orchestra project that, set up during the rule of his predecessor Hugo Chavez, has provided millions of children with a free musical education, often with spectacular results. Dudamel himself forged his career via the system and, until recently, continued to support Maduro in the face of rising opposition. In May, however, he publicly criticised the leader online, urging him to rethink his policies and, more recently, was involved in talks to secure the release from prison of Wuilly Artega, a violinist who publicly played in protest at the unrest. Dudamel’s continued involvement with the SBSO is now believed to be in doubt.