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Pathrycia Mendonça’s journey to playing at Wembley Stadium with Coldplay is a testament to her dedication to music. The 26-year-old violinist, a member of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra from Venezuela, has travelled a long way from her small town of Barquisimeto to London. As a child, she would endure grueling eight-hour bus rides to attend violin lessons in Caracas, a journey she made every week with her mother by her side.
Mendonça’s commitment to her music education has paid off, as she now finds herself preparing to perform with Coldplay for 10 nights at Wembley Stadium. Leaving her 10-month-old daughter at home, Mendonça reflects on the sacrifices she has made and the opportunities that have come her way. Her background in Venezuela’s El Sistema programme, which provides free music education, has been instrumental in shaping her musical career.
Like many of her peers in the orchestra, Mendonça credits El Sistema for teaching her important lessons about discipline, community, and leadership. The programme, established by José Antonio Abreu in 1975, has empowered Venezuelan musicians to excel on the world stage. As she gears up to play at Wembley, Mendonça feels a sense of pride and gratitude for the musical journey that brought her to this moment.
The collaboration between the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and Coldplay is a testament to the power of music to break down barriers. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, a product of El Sistema himself, has been instrumental in forging connections between classical music and mainstream audiences. As he leads the orchestra in rehearsals and prepares for the Wembley shows, Dudamel emphasizes the importance of unity, empathy, and harmony through music.
While El Sistema has faced criticism for its perceived political affiliations, Dudamel remains focused on the positive impact the programme has on children’s lives. As he navigates the challenges of a polarized world, the conductor is committed to providing young musicians with the same opportunities he had. The upcoming performances at Wembley Stadium serve as a celebration of the transformative power of music and a testament to the enduring legacy of El Sistema
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