Dynamic Venezuelan conductor leads the Orchestra in one of The Rady Shell's most beloved summer traditions

The San Diego Symphony welcomes acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Manuel López-Gómez for his San Diego Symphony debut on Sunday, Aug. 30, leading the Orchestra in Tchaikovsky Spectacular at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The annual audience favorite pairs some of Tchaikovsky's most thrilling orchestral music with a spectacular pyrotechnics display over The Rady Shell grounds.

Recognized internationally for his electrifying podium presence, López-Gómez first gained worldwide attention through Venezuela's renowned El Sistema music education program. A protégé of José Antonio Abreu and Gustavo Dudamel, he has gone on to conduct leading orchestras throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia, earning praise for performances that combine precision, energy and emotional depth.

His broad repertoire spans symphonic masterworks, opera and contemporary music, while his commitment to music education continues to reflect the values of El Sistema. In recent seasons, López-Gómez has appeared with orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony and many others, building a reputation as one of the most compelling conductors of his generation.

For his San Diego Symphony debut, López-Gómez leads a program celebrating the passion and drama of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The concert opens with Alma Llanera by Venezuelan composer Pedro Elías Gutiérrez before continuing with Tchaikovsky's vibrant Capriccio italien, the beloved Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang, the gripping tone poem Francesca da Rimini, and the triumphant 1812 Overture.

The evening culminates with now-annual pyrotechnics display over The Rady Shell grounds, a hallmark of this summer concert tradition.

Tchaikovsky Spectacular takes place Sunday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The concert features Manuel López-Gómez, conductor; Joyce Yang, piano; and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're discovering López-Gómez for the first time or have followed his international career, this exciting debut promises an unforgettable evening of thrilling music and dazzling spectacle.