Chicago Conductor Joins Bad Bunny for Super Bowl Halftime Show

Giancarlo Guerrero, leader of Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival, conducted string players during the performance.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Giancarlo Guerrero, the chief conductor of Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival, was invited by Bad Bunny to lead a group of string players during the Puerto Rican superstar's Super Bowl halftime show performance. Guerrero, who was born in Nicaragua and raised in Costa Rica, has become a fixture on local podiums in Chicago and is known for programming music by American and Latin American composers.

Why it matters

Guerrero's appearance on the Super Bowl stage alongside Bad Bunny highlights the growing crossover between classical and Latin music, as well as the increasing diversity and global reach of classical music performers and conductors. It also showcases Chicago's vibrant classical music scene and the city's role in nurturing talented artists like Guerrero.

The details

Guerrero received a call from Bad Bunny's manager on January 31, inviting him to be part of the halftime show. During the call, Guerrero learned that Bad Bunny specifically requested a Hispanic conductor, and chose Guerrero. Guerrero flew to San Francisco on Tuesday to begin rehearsing, and when he met Bad Bunny, he learned that the musician is a classical music fan who wanted a 'real string orchestra, with a real conductor' for his performance.

  • Guerrero received the invitation from Bad Bunny's manager on January 31, 2026.
  • Guerrero flew to San Francisco on Tuesday, February 4, 2026 to begin rehearsing for the Super Bowl halftime show.

The players

Giancarlo Guerrero

The chief conductor of Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival, who was born in Nicaragua and raised in Costa Rica. Guerrero has become a fixture on local podiums in Chicago and is known for programming music by American and Latin American composers.

Bad Bunny

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar, whose legal name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Bad Bunny is a Grammy-winning musician who specifically requested a Hispanic conductor for his Super Bowl halftime show performance.

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What they’re saying

“Apparently, he was aware of my career.”

— Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor, Grant Park Music Festival (Chicago Tribune)

“I'm here at Super Bowl 60, and it's because I never, never stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself — you're worth more than you think.”

— Bad Bunny (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

Guerrero is scheduled to return to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this fall, and will lead the Grant Park Music Festival's upcoming season, which will feature works by American and Latin American composers.

The takeaway

Guerrero's appearance on the Super Bowl stage alongside Bad Bunny showcases the growing crossover between classical and Latin music, as well as the increasing diversity and global reach of classical music performers and conductors. It also highlights Chicago's vibrant classical music scene and the city's role in nurturing talented artists like Guerrero.