Published on Monday, February 9, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rican orchestra music director Giancarlo Guerrero took part in Bad Bunny’s performance during the Super Bowl on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, U.S.

Guerrero led the orchestra during the Puerto Rican rapper, singer and record producer’s appearance at the event, which also featured performances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.

“Both my daughters and my wife are huge fans of Bad Bunny,” Guerrero wrote in a post on social media. “If I hadn’t jumped at this opportunity, they would never have forgiven me.”

The show highlighted tropical music influence. During Bad Bunny’s set, Lady Gaga performed a salsa-inspired rendition of “Die With a Smile,” her duet with Bruno Mars from her latest album, Mayhem.

Ricky Martin also appeared, performing “Lo que le pasó a HAWAii " (What Happened to Hawaii), a protest song addressing gentrification, over-tourism and colonial displacement in Puerto Rico. The song uses Hawaii as a cautionary example, criticizing wealthy outsiders buying land, displacing local communities and threatening Puerto Rican cultural identity.

 

“Bad Bunny is a multi-talented artist who plays so many kinds of Hispanic music,” Guerrero said. “It doesn’t just feel familiar; the music feels like home. It was quite an amazing experience to be a part of.”

Guerrero added that the collaboration was especially meaningful. “There are so many brilliant artists involved with the creation of this show, and it was beyond inspiring to work with them and watch it all come together. How exciting to be a part of it all.”

Born in Nicaragua, Guerrero immigrated as a child to Costa Rica, where he later became a naturalized citizen. He joined the Costa Rica Youth Symphony before traveling to the United States to study music. He earned degrees in percussion and conducting from Baylor University in Texas and Northwestern University in Chicago.

A six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor, Guerrero is the artistic director and principal conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago. He most recently served as music director of the Nashville Symphony for 16 season.

He currently serves as music director of the Sarasota Orchestra in Sarasota County, Florida.

“From Sarasota to the Super Bowl, Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero joined Bad Bunny’s show, conducting young musicians in a moment that celebrated music, culture and community,” the Sarasota Orchestra posted on social media. “We’re proud to call him our Music Director.”

In December 2025, Bad Bunny performed two concerts at Costa Rica’s National Stadium in San José as part of his "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" (I Should Have Taken More Photos) world tour.

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium.

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What other international artists would you like to see perform at the U.S. Super Bowl? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com