Classical music at Coachella: LA Philharmonic makes debut
INDIO, California—The Los Angeles Philharmonic led the charge into its first Coachella performance on Saturday with Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” helmed by Venezuelan sensation Gustavo Dudamel in his latest move to reach out to new audiences.
The first major orchestra to grace the annual music and arts festival in the Southern California desert was joined by several vocalists, including jazz-pop singer Laufey, who debuted her new song “Silver Lining,” and Becky G with her pop song “Shower.”
Country singer Maren Morris arrived on the stage in a shimmering gold dress, delivering her gospel number “My Church” alongside a majority Black choir.
Perhaps the most anticipated guest, German DJ and record producer Zedd, hopped on the piano and the choir, in yellow gowns, joined him for his popular 2012 song “Clarity.”
LL Cool J arrived in a yellow hoodie and took audiences far from the classical ambiance into his popular rap song “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
In a special moment on stage, he presented Dudamel with a yellow hat that matched both the rapper and the choir.
The musical set included a host of classical pieces, including Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.”
The LA Philharmonic, one of the world’s top orchestras, has long been admired for snaring Dudamel in 2007.
The conductor, 44, is set to take over the New York Philharmonic as music and artistic director in 2026.
