Barely 36 hours after taking part in one of the biggest musical experiences of his life, Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero hadn’t had time to watch his part in the Super Bowl LX halftime show featuring Bad Bunny.

Guerrero said he had a whirlwind 10 days from being asked to take part through the performance on Feb. 8. During a morning of media interviews on Feb. 10, Guerrero talked to ArtsBeat about his experience, his initial doubts that it was a prank, and the international impact Bad Bunny’s inclusion of so many types of music will have. They became friends and he talks about Bad Bunny by his real name, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio.

ArtsBeat: Who do you know and how did you wind up in the Super Bowl?

Giancarlo Guerrero: On Saturday, the week before, I got a call from my manager that he had heard from Benito’s manager. They wanted to have an actual string orchestra in the performance. He was aware of my career and he requested me.

Bad Bunny was aware of you or the manager?

Bad Bunny, Benito. Apparently he was aware of my career and his manager went out and Googled me and found my manager. The first thing I was thinking is this real or a prank call. It must be someone playing a crank call on me. I had to literally change all my travel plans. I got to San Francisco on Tuesday, got fitted for a costume and I had no idea what I was going to be doing. From the moment I got there, it was amazing to be part of such a complex project. There were 800 performers and all the support staff coming together to put on a wonderful show. All together, it was a lot of fun to be part of it. It was such a short moment on screen, and behind the scenes it was absolute chaos.

How did it all come together?

As you could see on the show, there were seven or eight different stages, all rehearsing on our own, and I wondered how we’re going to come together and make it happen at the same time, and more importantly, where the cameras were going to be. For the first couple of days, you don’t feel what you’re part of and will I really be on camera. But little by little, you realize how it’s all coming together, once the cameras start coming around and making sure everyone’s in the right place.

How did you know when to start conducting?

We had ear pieces that gave us a click track. We all memorized the music, and that added complexity to all of this. As soon as we were given our cue in our ear piece, I saw where the dolly was and where the camera was going to be, and Benito was riding the dolly. For me, it was like being on stage anywhere. It was maybe 10-15 seconds my shot came through. Everything was seamless.

What was the song you were conducting?

It’s a song by Benito called “Monaco,” but the opening string is a romantic song by Charles Aznavour called “Hier Encore” (“Yesterday, When I was Young.”) This was the prelude. The whole idea was we were playing for a wedding that was happening behind us. That’s why I had hibiscus on my coat.

Were you a Bad Bunny fan, and did you have favorite songs of his?

My daughters are huge fans and everytime we would be in the car, they take control of the music. I enjoy his music. The thing about Benito, this is a guy who has so much musical curiosity. I became a huge fan of his after this week. This is not a guy staying in his musical lane. His mind is everywhere. Like me as a conductor. I don’t just conduct Beethoven. Even within this 12 minute show, there were so  many different kinds of music. He’s all about the music being presented in the right, proper way. I applaud him for it. This guy really knows what he’s doing. He has such respect for all types of music. We need a whole lot more of that in the world. On a professional level, I have nothing but admiration for him. Personally, he’s such a generous man. Getting to know him was a highlight of the whole week.

Have you watched the performance. What did you think of it?

I have not seen it yet. I have to have the ability to really sit down and watch. I don’t know how it all came together, from where I was, I’m sure I missed a lot of it. My daughters and wife said it was so great when Lady Gaga comes on and Ricky Martin. All I saw was staff people running around?

What was it like being a classical musician in this setting

This definitely has been an unusual project all together. Being asked to be in the Super Bowl as a classical musician, at first it was kind of a shock to me. And the reaction. Over the last 48 hours it became public. For the whole week we were bound by this very tight NDA (non-disclosure agreement). I think it caught everyone by surprise. I had so many many messages on my phone. ‘Oh my God, is that really you?’ People were screaming at their TV. It’s a wonderful opportunity to feature classical music in the largest stage in the world. The last time was Gustavo Dudamel leading a young people’s orchestra (in 2016). One of the greatest things that gives me great joy is that orchestras and opera companies in Europe are posting about this. It’s amazing how these two seemingly different worlds come together.

How do you go back to leading the Sarasota Orchestra after a weekend like that?

This is the life of the traveling musician. I was talking to Benito before and after the show and I asked what are you doing next. He was flying to Argentina the day after for concerts in Argentina and Chile. He asked about me, and I said I was going to Sarasota (to lead the Variations on America Masterworks concerts Feb. 12-15). This is the life