
A hotly anticipated game of musical chairs is underway: the charismatic conductor Gustavo Dudamel is leaving Los Angeles to become the new music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic.
The 42-year-old Dudamel will officially step into the role of leading the Philharmonic at the beginning of the 2026-27 season. As of the 2025-26 season, he will serve as the New York orchestra's music director designate, and his full contract as music and artistic director will last for five years.