Almost every audience member inside the Hollywood Bowl was on their feet Sunday night, singing along to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” with Chris Martin, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and members of Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. Under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel for a benefit concert for Venezuela, pastel stage lights flooded the Bowl as the immaculately articulated music from the orchestra swelled and the audience sang in unison, many attendees throwing their hands in the air.

After leading the L.A. Phil for 17 years, Dudamel’s final show as its music and artistic director was a star-studded love letter to his home country, raising money for relief efforts in northern Venezuela following the earthquakes in late June that left over 1,700 people dead. 

Videos showing the devastation left by the earthquakes as well as messages from celebrities who supported Dudamel’s relief efforts played between sets, reminding the crowd why they gathered together that night.

Hosted by Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez, the concert wrapped up a weekend packed with spectacular performances at the Bowl to send off Dudamel as he begins his new position as the music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic this fall. Dudamel also livestreamed the concert on YouTube.

One highlight of the night was Martin serenading Dudamel with a song written for him titled “San Gustavo,” or “Saint Gustavo.” Martin ordered Dudamel to sit in a chair as he sang “Santa María, te agradezco por mi hermano,” or “Santa Maria, I thank you for my brother,” before the entire orchestra joined in on the serenade, wishing the conductor farewell.

The L.A. Phil kicked the night off by performing both the United States’ and Venezuela’s national anthems before diving right into the music with Paul Desenne’s arrangement of Johann Strauss II’s “Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op. 214 ‘Triqui Traqui.’” By adding congas, a güiro and other instruments typically found in Latin American music, Desenne’s arrangement sparkled under Dudamel’s direction with a fiery, precise intensity.

Meme del Real took the stage next with the support of the orchestra for a romantic and suave performance of “Eres,” his Latin Grammy Award-winning hit written for his band, Café Tacvba. Venezuelan singer and composer Lasso followed with a sweet rendition of “En Otra Vida,” which was originally released with Yami Safdie. Beck also made an appearance, performing his song “Ride Lonesome.”

Just before intermission, Venezuelan cellist Gregorio Nieto beautifully played Anthony Hopkins’ “Stella Aria” in a tender, somber display before Colombian music icon Carlos Vives turned up the energy with his lively performance of “Quiero Verte Sonreír” and “La Tierra del Olvido.” 

The balance between classical, Latin American sounds and modern Spanish pop was handled flawlessly throughout the night. When the orchestra returned after intermission and opened with Aldemaro Romero’s 1990 composition “Fuga con Pajarillo,” Dudamel brought out a delicate strength from the musicians. But a seamless transition into a composition from a quintet of musicians consisting of a bandola llanera, a cuatro, a double bass, a harp and maracas easily stole the show. 

Four of the instruments performed a solo that took the audience’s breath away. Venezuelan harpist Eduardo Betancourt’s fingers moved at what seemed like the speed of light before Jorge Glem shredded on the cuatro, a four-stringed instrument derived from the Spanish guitar. 

Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade also grabbed hold of the audience with her outstanding, luscious medley, which included “Tonada de Luna Llena” and “Pajarito Colibrí.” She finished her set with “Hasta la Raíz,” with members of YOLA’s children’s choir joining her on stage. American singer-songwriter GIVĒON also put in an appearance to perform a mellowed version of his hit song, “Heartbreak Anniversary,” late in the night. 

Just before Martin made his big appearance, Venezuelan singers Nella and Adria Duque performed a moving rendition of the classic patriotic song “Venezuela.” The stage lit up in the colors of the Venezuelan flag as the two vocalists sang “Enterrad mi cuerpo cerca del mar en Venezuela,” or “Bury my body near the sea in Venezuela,” bringing some audience members to tears.

Martin closed out the night with “feelslikeimfallinginlove” before an emotional exit from Dudamel, which consisted of multiple bows and returns to the stage as he received a standing ovation. The concert was as much a display of community and support for the victims in Venezuela as it was a celebration of Dudamel’s time leading the L.A. Phil as well as his heritage, creating a momentous evening of passionate music and compassionate generosity.