Artist Of Week: Let The 50th Anniversary Celebrations Begin For Plácido Domingo

By Francisco Salazar

Plácido Domingo needs no introduction. He not only holds the record for most roles sung in opera for a single individual, but also has a lengthy career that has spanned half a century. And this week he celebrates his 50th anniversary at the Vienna State Opera in a special gala.

The tenor made his debut at the Vienna State Opera in 1967 in the role fo Verdi’s “Don Carlo” and since then has performed over 220 times with the company. He has also conducted numerous times including this year in Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette.”

In commemoration of his 50 years, the Vienna State Opera is presenting a gala of some of Domingo’s current roles. The gala will consist of three Verdi works. The first act will include the third act of “Un Ballo In Maschera” with Ramon Vargas and Ana María Martinez while the second will include “La Traviata” with Sonya Yoncheva.  Martinez and Vargas will join him for the final act of “Simon Boccanegra” to conclude the gala, which is slated to live streamed.

While it would seem like a fitting way to say goodbye to opera, the tenor-turned-baritone will continue his extensive career. At the age of 76, Domingo’s stamina doesn’t seem to give in as his voice continues to ring with color and his acting is top rate. And he will continue to expand his repertoire this season with a role debut as Posa in “Don Carlo” at the Vienna State Opera bringing his career with the company full circle. The tenor also has engagements to perform “Nabucco” with the Los Angeles Opera, “I Due Foscari” at the Salzburg Festival and “Macbeth” at the Teatro Real. Domingo will also make his role debut as Miller in “Luisa Miller” at the Metropolitan Opera next season and will also conduct “The Pearl Fishers” at the Los Angeles Opera. He also celebrates his 50th Anniversary with the Los Angeles Opera later next season.

On top of his theatrical commitments, Domingo will continue to run Operalia and will have a new DVD of “Macbeth” from the Los Angeles Opera released by Sony.

 

Categories

Artist of the WeekNews