President Hugo Chavez's attacks on America may have tarnished Venezuela's reputation in the US, but one of Venezuela's internationally recognized assets will be on display tonight in Los Angeles. In about a year, Gustavo Dudamel will take over leadership of the LA Philharmonic, turned into a world-class orchestra by Essa-Pekka Solonen, who is stepping down. The 26 year-old Dudamel began his training at the age of 4, as part of a program that has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Venezuela. Tonight at Disney Hall, he will conduct the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra. Arthur Lubow is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine.
KCRW
