Strictly speaking, there were no losers at this superb, ambitious show, which united several strains of Latin music, including salsa, ranchera and bachata.

But with transfixing vocals and feline agility, it was Mr. Anthony, the headliner, who owned this night. During his masterly hour set, he never lost control — musical, physical or emotional. An utterly mature and comfortable performer, he was expressive not only with his voice, holding muscular notes for improbably long spells, but also with every inch of his body; time and again overhead screens flashed images of his hands, which seemed to be engaged in their own complex conversation.

Mr. Anthony has recorded hits in English, but his real legacy will be as a salsa singer, which he made clear on a formidable version of the Héctor Lavoe classic “Mi Gente.” On several songs he held the microphone in one hand, while cradling one of the many bouquets of flowers given to him by fans in the other.

“It’s great to be home,” he told the crowd — born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, Mr. Anthony now lives on Long Island with his wife, Jennifer Lopez — and, with this remarkable performance, he could be forgiven for basking a little bit.

In fairness, the ecstatic response to Mr. Anthony could have had at least a little bit to do with demographics. According to a study released last year by the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the City University of New York, as of 2006 Puerto Ricans made up approximately 33.8 percent of New York’s Hispanic population; Dominicans, 26.7 percent; and Mexicans, the fastest-growing group, 11.6 percent.

Put another way, Mr. Fernández, the austere Mexican pop star, his black hair melting into silver, began the night at a disadvantage. The second to perform, he appeared to be digging himself another hole in the first half of his set, which focused on broad, cheesy ballads, a style he turned to after an early career recording the traditional ranchera music played so well by his father, the pioneer Vicente Fernández.

But midset he disappeared, then returned, having traded his pinstriped suit for the traditional traje de charro of the mariachi (with gold trim, as opposed to his band’s silver). Newly outfitted, Mr. Fernández came alive, especially on “Matalas.”

Later, he appeared onstage during Mr. Anthony’s set, mariachi in tow, for a duet on one of his father’s songs, “Volver Volver.” The two sang with bruising intensity, Mr. Fernández’s rich operatic throbs more than holding up against Mr. Anthony’s agile, sharp rasp.

For the Bronx-bred bachata sensualists of Aventura, who opened the show and have sold out the Garden before on their own, there was absolutely no shame in coming in third, or playing first.

If Mr. Anthony was performing flamboyant improvised dance, and Mr. Fernández was staging grand theater, Aventura, with the pressure off, delivered the equivalent of a campfire singalong, casual and intimate.

The group’s lead singer, Anthony Santos — better known as Romeo — is one of the great frontmen in any genre, with sublime, airy vocals and completely unforced swagger.

Here he sauntered across the stage with the confidence of someone who knew that autopilot was more then enough, especially, as seen on hits like “Enseñame a Olvidar,” with autopilot this good. Before “Un Beso,” Romeo took a moment to express, with words and gestures, his appreciation for curvy women, and asked that one be brought onstage for him to serenade.