In 1941 (or so he insists), Plácido Domingo was literally born into Zarzuela, Spain's popular operetta tradition. His father, Plácido Domingo, Sr., and his mother, Pepita Embil -- both Zarzuela stars -- moved the family from Madrid to Mexico to create...
[more]In 1941 (or so he insists), Plácido Domingo was literally born into Zarzuela, Spain's popular operetta tradition. His father, Plácido Domingo, Sr., and his mother, Pepita Embil -- both Zarzuela stars -- moved the family from Madrid to Mexico to create their own CompañÃa de Opereta y Zarzuela. With opera in his blood, Domingo in turn has gone on to be dubbed "King of Opera" and tenor of the century.
Domingo's boyhood in Mexico City consisted of playing soccer (which he still plays occasionally and watches avidly), taking piano lessons, and hanging out at the theater with his parents' troupe. He entered Mexico's National Conservatory of Music at 14 to study conducting and piano, but was waylaid by marriage at 16 and fatherhood at 17. After the brief union ended, Domingo got back on track -- he had discovered his singing potential and won a small part in the first Mexican production of "My Fair Lady." During these years, he gained experience in a number of odd places: he played piano and singing in bars; acted as an accompanist for a ballet company; hosted his own music program on Mexican television; and even arranged and sang back-up for Spanish-language adaptations of American pop songs.
He soon made his operatic debut at Monterrey in "La Traviata" and then spent the next two years with the Israel National Opera. After his 1968 Metropolitan Opera debut in "Adriana Lecouvreur," he was well on his way to stardom. His voice was likened to a strong trumpet blast -- but a trumpet could not adequately recreate the baritonal richness that supports that famous tenor. One critic wrote that Domingo's voice "has carved itself into aural memories of anyone who has followed opera even casually, occasionally, or accidentally." Indeed, Domingo seems to stir emotional resonance in even the most untrained ears, as evidenced by his unusually prolific career. To date, he's made over 100 recordings, has won eight Grammy Awards, and has sung more roles and been seen by more people than any other tenor in history.
Domingo has flung open opera's highbrow doors to the world, his virile vocals and charming looks garnering the attention of a veritable international pop star. Billions have watched Domingo performing on television as one of the Three Tenors, opera's answer to "Riverdance." He was the first classical artist to stage a solo concert in Central Park; the event attracted tens of thousands of fans in the rain. He's also developed a reputation for philanthropy -- he responded to the 1985 Mexican earthquake (which claimed the lives of four of his relatives) by raising millions of dollars in benefit concerts.
In additional to performing, Domingo directs the Washington Opera and the Los Angeles Opera. He has also picked up where he left off as a youngster, conducting many of those company's operas to great acclaim. The reigning "King of Opera" handles his role with humility and aplomb, claiming that he will cast himself in his own Washington Opera despite the Met's persistent calls.
[show less]
