CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s classical music superstar Gustavo Dudamel is facing vitriolic criticism from some supporters of the country’s political opposition who accuse him of keeping silent during unrest this week that killed three people.
Dudamel, 33, is director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. He is visiting his home country to conduct concerts marking the 39th anniversary of its renowned “El Sistema” music programme, which gives classical music training to children from poor neighbourhoods.
His visit has coincided with opposition street protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
Yesterday, Dudamel conducted a free “concert for peace” including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, at the ornate Foreign Ministry building in downtown Caracas.
The opposition accuses the security forces and pro-government militants of attacking peaceful demonstrators in the center of the capital on Wednesday, while the Maduro’s administration blames its rivals for the deaths.
Some in the opposition were outraged that the famous conductor did not use his public position to condemn Maduro, interpreting that as support for the leftist government.
“I can’t stay silent … You were playing in a concert while people were massacred,” wrote self-exiled Venezuelan classical pianist Gabriela Montero in an open letter to the conductor.
“We’ve passed the point of no return. Music, ambition and fame count for nothing alongside human suffering,” he wrote.
Some hardline opposition supporters used social media to circulate a computer-generated image of Dudamel with his baton raised and blood pouring from his hands, against a backdrop of student protesters being arrested by the police.
In a brief statement in response to his critics, the conductor said the country’s Sistema programme represented the value of peace, love and unity.
