Musicians of the Simon Bolivar orchestra on stage at the Philharmonie in Berlin

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela

Introduction

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (SBSOV), founded in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu, has continuously aimed to create new opportunities for musical excellence in Venezuela for the past 40 years. Its 180 members – named UNESCO Artists for Peace – have been trained under the El Sistema’s Orchestral Academic Programme. They have also taken master classes with internationally renowned professors and performed under famous maestros such as Sir Simon Rattle, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Baremboim, Kristof Penderecki, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Lorin Maazel, amongst others.

Led by their Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, the SBSOV have toured extensively with Askonas Holt, appearing in major orchestral venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, London’s Royal Festival Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York. Furthermore, the orchestra tours regularly around Europe and the Americas, and has also toured to Asia and the Middle East.

Tours

  • Aug 2025 - Sep 2025
    Europe

    Gustavo Dudamel Coldplay Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Programme: Performance as 1st support act, and during main set with Coldplay Wembley Stadium, London -- Gustavo Dudamel Javier Perianes Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Programme: Bernstein Candide Overture, De Falla Nights in the gardens of Spain for piano & orchestra, Falla The Three-cornered Hat, Suite No.2, Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Southbank Centre, London

  • Jan 2025
    Europe

    Gustavo Dudamel Jorge Glem (Venezuelan Cuatro) Marianne Crebassa (Soprano) Yuja Wang (Piano) Programme 1: Abreu [Adap Fernando Escalona] Sol que das visa a los trigos, Abreu [Adap Fernando Escalona] Luz Tu, Mahler Symphony No.3 Programme 2: Ricardo Lorenz Todo Terreno, Gonzalo Grau Odisea concerto for Venezuelan cuatro and orchestra, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, Ravel Bolero Programme 3: Mahler Symphony No.3 Programme 4: Ricardo Lorenz Todo Terreno, Gonzalo Grau Odisea concerto for Venezuelan cuatro and orchestra, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 Philharmonie, Paris | Barbican, London | Philharmonie, Luxembourg | Philharmonie, Berlin | Isarphilharmonie, Munich | Bozar, Brussels | Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid

  • Nov 2023
    Asia

    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Rodolfo Barráez (conductor) [programme 1] Chrisitan Vasaquez (conductor) [programme 2] Programme 1: Desenne Hipnosis mariposa, Estevez Midday in the Plains, Ginastera Dances from "La Estancia", Chavez Indian Symphony, Stravinsky Firebired 1919 Suite Programme 2: Desenne Guasamacabra, Orbon Three Symphonic Versions, Shostakovich Symphony No.10 Shanghai Urban Music Lawn, Shanghai | Jing Jing Hall, Shanghai | NCPA Beijing

  • Aug 2023
    Europe

    Programme 1: Rafael Payare Natalya Romaniw (soprano) Karen Cargill (mezzo soprano) Andrew Staples (tenor) Christopher Maltman (bass) Edinburgh Festival Chorus Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasilerias No.7, Beethoven Symphony No.9 Usher Hall, Edinburgh [Edinburgh International Festival] Programme 2: Gustavo Dudamel Jorge Glem (cuatro) Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Dessene Guasamacabra, Grau Odiesa, Mahler Symphony No.1 Usher Hall, Edinburgh [Edinburgh International Festival]

  • Mar 2017
    Europe

    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Gustavo Dudamel (conductor) Programme 1 BEETHOVEN Egmont: Overture BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1 BEETHOVEN Coriolan Overture BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 Programme 2 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4 Programme 3 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 Programme 4 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8 Programme 65 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona | Auditorio Nacional De Música, Madrid | Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg | Musikverein, Vienna

  • Oct 2016
    New York

    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor) Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Piano) Cynthia Millar (Ondes Martenot) Programme 1 RAVEL La valse STRAVINSKY Le sacre du printemps BRAHMS Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor COPLAND "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo J. STRAUSS JR. Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214 GINASTERA "Malambo" from Estancia BERNSTEIN "Mambo" from West Side Story Programme 2 STRAVINSKY Pétrouchka (1947 version) JUAN CARLOS NÚÑEZ Selections from Tonadas de Simón Díaz ·· “Mi querencia” ·· “Tonada del Cabestrero” PAUL DESENNE Hipnosis Mariposa VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas brasileiras No. 2 Programme 3 MESSIAEN Turangalîla-symphonie Carnegie Hall, New York

  • Sep 2016
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Europe | September 2016

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Desenne Hipnosis Mariposa, Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No.2, Ravel Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2, Ravel La valse Programme 2: Desenne Hipnosis Mariposa, Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No.2, Villa-Lobos Choros No.10, Ravel Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2, Ravel La valse Programme 3: Messiaen Turangalia-Symphonie Cynthia Millar (ondes martenot) Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano) Programme 4: Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No.2 Messiaen Turangalia-Symphonie Cynthia Millar (ondes martenot) Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano) Baltic Sea Festival Stockholm | Helsinki Festival | BBC Proms, London | Grande Auitorio, Lisbon | Montforthaus Feldkirch | Luzern Festival | Belrin Festspiele |

  • Aug 2016
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Salzburger Festspiele | August 2016

    Gustavo Dudamel Jerome Robbins (Original Director and Choreographer) Philip Wm. McKinley (Revival Director) Cecilia Bartoli (Maria) Michelle Veintimilla (Maria) Norman Reinhardt (Tony) Karen Olivo (Anita) George Akram (Bernardo) Dan Burton (Riff) Salzburg Bach Choir Bernstein West Side Story

  • Jun 2016 - Jul 2016
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Colombia | June-July 2016

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Messiaen Turangalîla-Symphonie Yuja Wang (piano) Cynthia Millar (ondes Martenot) Programme 2: Desenne Hipnosis Mariposa, Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileriras No.2, Ravel Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2, Ravel La valse Programme 2 Stravinsky Petruschka, Stravinsky Le sacre du Printemps Teatro Mayor, Bogota

  • May 2016
    Europe

    Gustavo Dudamel Jerome Robbins (Director and Choreographer) Cecilia Bartoli (Maria) Michelle Veintimilla (Maria) Norman Reinhardt (Tony) Karen Olivo (Anita) George Akram (Bernardo) Cody Green (Riff) Salzburg Bach Choir Bernstein West Side Story

  • Jan 2016
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Europe | January 2016

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Messiaen Turangalila-Symphonie Programme 2: Desenne Hipnosis Mariposa, Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No.2 | Ravel Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2, Ravel La Valse Programme 3: Stravinsky Petrushka, Stravinsky Le Sacre du Printemps Programme 4: Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 1, Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 Daniel Barenboim (piano) Palau de la Musica, Barcelona | Halle aux Grains de Toulouse | Philharmonie, Luxembourg | The Royal Festival Hall, London | Berliner Philharmonie

  • Sep 2015 - Oct 2015
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | USA | September - October 2015

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Beethoven Symphony No.7, Beethoven Symphony No.8, Beethoven Egmont Ov Programme 2: Beethoven Symphony No.9 Mariana Ortiz (soprano) J'nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano) Joshua Guerrero (tenor) Soloman Howard (bass) Kevin Fox (chorus director) Programme 3: Beethoven Selections from Egmont, Beethoven Selections from Creatures of Prometheus, Beethoven Symphony No.9 4th movement Programme 4: Beethoven Symphony No.3, Beethoven Symphony No.4 Programme 5: Beethoven Symphony No.5 Joshua Dos Santos (conductor) Programme 6: Beethoven Wellington's Victory, Beethoven Fidelio Ov, Beethoven Symphony No.5 3rd&4th movements Joshua Dos Santos (conductor) Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley | Greek Theatre, Berkeley | Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA | Inner City Arts, LA | Pomona Purpose Church |

  • Aug 2015 - Sep 2015
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Teatro alla Scala | August-September 2015

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Tchaikovsky The Tempest symphonic fantasy, Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 Programme 2: Beethoven Symphony No.1, Villa-Lobos Choros No.10, Estevez Cantata Criolla Idwer Alvarez (tenor) Gaspar Colon (baritone) Programme 3: Beethoven Symphony No.9 Genia Kuhmeier (soprano) Wiebke Lehmkuhl (alto) Brian Hymel (tenor) Georg Zeppenfeld (bass)

  • Jul 2015
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Colombia | July 2015

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Beethoven Egmont Ov, Dudamel Suite Libertador, Beethoven Choral Fantasy Sergio Tiemp (piano) Programme 2: Beethoven Romance No.1, Beethoven Symphony No.1, Beethoven Romance No.2, Beethoven Symphony No.3 Simone Porter (violin) Programme 3: Beethoven Symphony No.3, Beethoven Symphony No.4 Programme 4: Beethoven Symphony No.5, Beethoven Symphony No.6 Programme 5: Beethoven Symphony No.7, Beethoven Symphony No.8 Programme 6: Beethoven Symphony No.9 Mariana Ortiz (soprano) Adriana Bastidas-Gamboa (mezzo soprano) Cesar Augusto Gutierrez (tenor) Gunter Haumer (baritone) Teatro Mayor, Colombia

  • Jan 2015
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Europe | January 2015

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Beethoven Symphony No.5, Wagner Entry of the Gods into Valhalla, Wagner Siegfried's Rhine Journey, Siegfreid's Death and Funeral Music, Wagner Forest Murmers, Wagner The Rider of The Valkyries Programme 2: Orbon Tres versiones sinfonicas, Mahler Symphony No.5 Programme 3: Beethoven Symphony No.5, Wagner Siegfried's Rhine Journey, Siegfreid's Death and Funeral Music, Wagner Lohengrin "bridal chorus" Music, Wagner Forest Murmers, Wagner Tannhausser with "entrance to the palace" The Royal Festival Hall, London | Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels | Alte Oper, Frankfurt | Palau Musica, Barcelona | Palau de la Musica de Valencia | Auditorio Nacional, Madrid | Philharmonie de Paris |

  • Jul 2014
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | South America | July 2014

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Mahler Symphony No.9 Programme 2: Carreno Margaritena, Villa-Lobos Bachiana Brasileira No.2, Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique Teatro Mayor, Bogota | Sala Sao Paulo | Theatro Municipal de Rio de Janeiro |

  • Feb 2014 - Mar 2014
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | USA | February - March 2014

    Gustavo Dudamel Alina Pogostkina (violin) Programme 1: Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky Symphony No.2 Programme 2: Tchaikovsky Excerpts from Romeo & Juliet, Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture Joshua Dos Santos (conductor) Programme 3: Tchaikovsky Symphony No.3, Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4 Programme 4: Shakespeare Text from Hamlet, Tchaikovsky Hamlet Fantasy Overture, Shakespeare Prospero's speech, Tchaikovsky The Tempest Fantasy Overture, Shakespeare Balcony Scene and Juliet's Death from Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture Kate Burton (Director) Orlando Bloom (Romeo) Robert Sean Leonard (Hamlet) Joe Morton (Prospero) Condola Rashad (Juliet) Robin Gray (Lighting Designer) Programme 5: Tchaikovsky Capriccio italien, Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini, Tchaikovsky Waltz from Sleeping Beauty, Tchaikovsky Waltz from Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky Waltz from Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky Overture 1812 Walk Disney Concert Hall, LA

  • Jan 2014 - Jan 2014
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Paris, Oman & Abu Dabi | January 2014

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Tchaikovsky The Tempest Symphonic Fantasy, Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4 Programme 2: Berlioz Requiem Andrei Dunaev (tenor) Programme 3: Beethoven Symphony No.5 Programme 4: Tchaikovsky The Tempest Symphonic Fantasy, Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Beethoven Symphony No.5 Salle Pleyel, Paris | Notre Dame Cathedrale, Paris | Royal Opera House Muscat | Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi |

  • Jul 2013 - Aug 2013
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | Salzburg | July-August 2013

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Mahler Symphony No.8 Emily Magee (soprano) Petra Maria Schnitzer (soprano) Anna Prohaska (soprano) Yvonne Naef (alto) Birgit Remmert (alto) Klaus Florian Vigt (tenor) Detlef Roth (baritone) Robert Holl (Basse) National Youth Choir of Venezuela Programme 2: Mahler Symphony No.3 Anna Larsson (mezzo soprano) National Youth Choir of Venezuela Programme 3: Mozart Mass in C minor Anna Prohaska (soprano) Roberta Invernizzi (soprano) Mauro Peter (tenor) Florian Boesch (bass) National Youth Choir of Venezuela Programme 4: Mahler Symphony No.7

  • Nov 2012 - Dec 2012
    Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela | USA | November - December 2012

    Gustavo Dudamel Programme 1: Castellanos Santa Cruz de Pacairigua, Fernandez Batuque, Marquez Danzon No.2, Marquez La Conga del Fuego Nuevo, Elgar Enigma Variations - Nimrod, Ginastera Malambo, Bernstein Mambo, Gutierrez Alma Llanera Joshua Dos Santos (conductor) Jesus Parra (conductor) Eduardo Salazar (conductor) Manual Jurado (conductor) Programme 2: Chavez Sinfonia India, Orbon Tres versiones sinfonicas, Revueltas La noche de los Mayas Programme 3: Benzecry Rituales Amerindos II, Villa-Lobos Choros No.10, Estevez Cantata criolla Gaspar Colon Moleiro (baritone) Idwer Alvarez (tenor) Programme 4: Chavez Sinfonia india, Orbon Tres versiones sinfonicas, Strauss Alpine Symphony Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley | Symphony Center, Chicago | Kennedy Center, Washington DC | Verizon Hall, Philadelphia | Carnegie Hall, New York

Photos

Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra
Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela