One of the most inspiring events I attended during Grammy week was a tribute to one of the world’s greatest Opera singers. Placido Domingo. An amazing talent, true gentleman and humanitarian, Placido was one of the key people responsible for creating a resurgence for Opera – moving it from small concert halls to football stadium crowds with the Three Tenors featuring Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti. In addition Placido has performed in over 100 movies, released over 50 full length recordings and performed as the lead in more operas than any other tenor in history. His last telecast broadcast to over 1.4 billion people worldwide. Prior to his LIfetime Achievement award this year, he had been nominated for or won Grammy Awards for his recordings on 11 different occasions.
But more than that, as leader of the Los Angeles Opera and the Washington National Opera in Washington DC, he founded and oversees The Young Artists Programs, helping young opera singers to develop into world-class performers and have sustainable careers.
It was these young protege’s that performed in honor of Placido, when NARAS presented him with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. You didn’t need to be an opera fan to be brought to tears by the depth of the emotion and beauty in the voices of some of these future stars of of the genre. And you didn’t need to be an classical music fan to be inspired by the tremendous contribution and commitment to the world of music and to our global culture by the great Placido Domingo.
