Venezuelan classical star Dudamel wows home crowd

By Frank Jack Daniel

CARACAS (Reuters) - In town to audition new talent bubbling up in Venezuela's unique youth music system, globally feted Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel was given a hero's welcome at a Caracas homecoming concert on Sunday.

Dudamel, considered the hottest thing to hit the classical musical world for years, conducted the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela along with a large choir.

The sell-out crowd met their exuberant performance with a long ovation and cheers.

"I am highly excited and happy, this is my family, it's like being in your own house," the 27-year-old said before the concert.

The young conductor, who will direct the Los Angeles Philharmonic from next year, now spends much of his time conducting Sweden's Gothenberg Symphony but will stay on as the head of the youth orchestra that shot him to fame with dazzling performances at the world's top music events.

Venezuela's system of youth orchestras was founded in the 1970s and now involves over 200,000 children, many from the South American country's toughest and poorest neighborhoods.

"I am simply a product of this beautiful project," Dudamel told reporters outside his dressing room.

Himself a violinist inspired by his trombonist father to become involved in music, Dudamel was in Caracas to audition youngsters for the Simon Bolivar orchestra, the top youth orchestra in the country.