Legendary tenor Plácido Domingo will receive the first-ever Honorary Fellowship of the Opera Awards Foundation.

The tenor will receive the first annual award at a fundraising evening on Jan. 28, 2019 at the Royal Society of Arts, London. The evening will be comprised of an illustrated talk, “The Domingo Phenomenon” by his biographer Helena Matheopoulos, who will then invite Domingo onto the stage to join her for a Q & A session that will include the audience.

In a press statement Domingo said, “Luke in the New Testament says ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ This is a sentiment that is very important to me as I believe all artists have a duty to mentor and support young talent. As the founder of the Operalia Competition and named Young Artist programs at Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera and in Valencia, I have always made the promotion of young singers one of the most important things I do. I’m delighted that the Opera Awards Foundation has made such a huge contribution to the lives of hundreds of young singers and people wanting careers in this profession. It is a pleasure to support them and I am honored to accept the Fellowship of the Opera Awards Foundation.”

Meanwhile, Harry Hyman, Founder of the International Opera Awards & the Opera Awards Foundation, noted, “In centuries to come people will marvel at Plácido Domingo’s extraordinary career and be envious of those of us who have been privileged to experience his artistry. No other singer has ever had a career that comes close to matching his. As Patron of the International Opera Awards, Maestro Domingo has supported the growth of the Awards and the inception of our Foundation which has awarded almost 100 bursaries to young singers and other aspiring artists to help them establish their careers.”

Domingo recently finished concerts in Honduras and is heading to the Royal Opera House for “La Traviata” and Paris for a Verdi gala.