Gustavo Dudamel postpones Spain tour due to devastating Venezuela earthquakes

Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel has delayed the concerts his National Youth Symphony Orchestra had scheduled in Barcelona, originally set for early July, because of the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week. The seismic events caused extensive damage to essential infrastructure, including the international airport serving Caracas, and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Dudamel announced that he will shift his efforts to supporting relief work, partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to raise funds for the affected communities. Organisers of the Barcelona Auditori shows say they will work with the maestro and the orchestra to set a new date once conditions improve. The United Nations estimates the earthquakes could cost Venezuela around €6 billion, roughly 6 % of its GDP.