Gustavo Dudamel is calling out Timothée Chalamet for his comments stating that “no one cares” about opera or ballet.

During a press conference at the presentation of the New York Philharmonic’s 2026-27 season, the conductor said, “Sadly sometimes it’s a little bit of ignorance but, look, that is why we have to open more spaces for people to connect with classical music.”

The new season will feature some of the biggest stars in opera and classical music including Marina Rebeka, Jonas Kaufmann, Ludovic Tézier, Aleksandra Kurzak, Lidia Fridman, and Erin Morley.

On March 3, OperaWire published a story spotlighting Chalamet’s comments from his conversation with Matthew McConaughey. “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.’” He then added, “all respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”

The news has since gone viral with members of the ballet and opera community coming together to lambast the Oscar nominee for his comments. Since then, Chalamet’s own colleagues have also throw shade his way. Chalamet is doing a campaign tour in Asia and has made no comments on the situation.

Read Related Stories 

• Oscar Frontrunner Timothée Chalamet Claims ‘No One Cares’ about Opera
• Marina Rebeka, Jonas Kaufmann, Ludovic Tézier, Aleksandra Kurzak, Lidia Fridman & Erin Morley Lead New York Philharmonic’s 2026-27 Season