Distinguished vocalist, orchestral director, and producers of grand operas, Plácido Domingo, to be honored with UCLA Medal.
Placido Domingo Honoured with UCLA Medal
\n\n Placido Domingo, the renowned opera singer and conductor, is set to receive UCLA's highest honour, the UCLA Medal, on November 12. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. in UCLA's Schoenberg Hall.
\n\n Domingo, a UCLA alumnus, has made significant contributions to opera administration and education, particularly through his roles with the Los Angeles Opera and his initiatives to train young opera artists.
\n\n Since 1993, Domingo has been organising the Operalia voice competition to promote young singers. Notable artists like Joyce DiDonato, Rolando Villazón, Erwin Schrott, and Isabel Bayrakdarian have been helped by the competition. Angel Blue, a UCLA alumnus who has performed in great European concert halls, was inspired by Placido Domingo during her studies at UCLA.
\n\n Domingo is president of Europa Nostra and is on the board of trustees of the National YoungArts Foundation. He is also the Eli and Edythe Broad General Director of LA Opera, a position he is contracted to hold through the 2022-23 season.
\n\n Placido Domingo has been a vital presence in LA Opera's artistic administration since before the company's first public performances in 1986. He has performed in every Los Angeles Opera season since then and has helped develop programs aimed at nurturing young opera singers.
\n\n Domingo established young artist training programs both at the Los Angeles Opera and in Valencia, Spain, which are designed to train and mentor upcoming opera talent. These programs are important platforms for emerging singers to receive professional coaching, stage experience, and career support under his guidance.
\n\n Through his initiatives, Domingo has personally or indirectly worked with many young artists and collaborators, fostering a new generation of opera performers. His passion for mentoring young artists and his dedication to enabling singers to realize their full potential have been praised by Judith Smith, dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
\n\n Seating for the ceremony and master class is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Advance reservations are required for the master class.
\n\n Placido Domingo has sung 148 different roles in more than 3,900 performances in the world's greatest opera houses. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1967 and has since had over 800 singing and conducting engagements at the Met. Placido Domingo made his American debut in 1961 singing Arturo in "Lucia di Lammermoor" with the Dallas Civic Opera.
\n\n Domingo earned national acclaim singing the title role in the U.S. premiere of Alberto Ginastera's "Don Rodrigo" at the New York City Opera in 1965. He is also the chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
\n\n The UCLA Medal ceremony and a subsequent master class with Placido Domingo are free and open to the public. This event is a testament to Domingo's enduring impact on the world of opera and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of opera singers.
Education and self-development play a significant role in Placido Domingo's career, as he has established young artist training programs at both the Los Angeles Opera and in Valencia, Spain. These programs aim to mentor upcoming opera talent, providing them with professional coaching, stage experience, and career support.
Entertainment and music intertwine in Placido Domingo's contributions, as he has sung more than 3,900 performances in the world's greatest opera houses and inspired numerous young artists through his initiatives, such as the Operalia voice competition and the master class he will be conducting at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall. Learning and personal growth are evident in these achievements, making Domingo an exemplary figure for those pursuing education and self-development in the realm of opera and music.
