Trumpeter Alison Balsom became the first Briton to win female artist of the year and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who led the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra at sell-out London concerts last month, was named male artist of the year.
The Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra wowed audiences and critics with its first shows at London's Festival Hall on Tuesday, when they began a five day residency.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In recent months, Dudamel and the music organization he leads, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, have been treated to two profiles on CBS News' popular 60 Minutes newsmagazine program.
RICHARD HEARD The famous Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, and was almost inspired to join the conga line that one exuberant spectator was trying to lead through the Festival Hall.
Last week was blockbuster week at the Proms, with Venezuelan wunderkind Gustavo Dudamel concert last year with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, followed by two concerts by Daniel Barenboim.
Concerts range from song recitals and chamber concerts to sold-out performances of those two great rival orchestras, the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, plus guest appearances by the Cleveland Orchestra and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela.
