Around the Music Festival

Plácido Domingo celebrated its 50th anniversary this year at the Metropolitan Opera. A ceremony commemorating it was held on the 23rd, after the performance by Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi”. Domingo, who often sings baritone singing, also sings the main role Gianni Schicchi in this performance. Puccini’s “Il trittico” including “Gianni Schicchi” was premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in December 1918. In commemoration of its 100th anniversary, the Metropolitan Opera is performing from 23 November to 15 December.

It was in 1968 that Domingo debuted at the Metropolitan Opera. It appeared in Cilea ‘s “Adriana Lecouvreur” starred by Renata Tebaldi. At this time, he sang a role of Maurizio as a substitute for Franco Corelli and got a sensational success. According to the theater, on February 23, the role he played became 52, and the appearance to the Metropolitan Opera as a singer and conductor was 695 times. Domingo will perform a special gala concert at the Metropolitan Opera on April 28, 2019.

In the press of the United States, two gifts were awarded at the ceremony from Peter Gelb, the general manager of the theater. One is a piece of the floor of the stage. The other was a leather jacket Domingo was wearing when he appeared “Otello” in the 1990s, which was dyed into gold by blessing the 50th anniversary. Martina Arroyo, Sherrill Milnes, Teresa Stratas, James Morris and other singers were also present in the audience seats. Domingo had tears spreading, with a hot applause from the audience seats.

Photo：Metropolitan Opera　/　Ken Howard