Domingo, Plácido << doh MIHNG goh, PLAH see doh >> (1941-…), a Spanish tenor, became one of the most popular opera singers of the 1900’s and early 2000’s. Domingo gained international praise for his performances in lyric and heroic roles in Italian operas. He also sang a number of major roles in the German operas of Richard Wagner. Beginning in 2009, Domingo sang both tenor and baritone roles. He also has conducted opera orchestras.
Domingo was born on Jan. 21, 1941, in Madrid. He moved with his family to Mexico in 1950 and studied singing at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. Domingo made his opera debut in 1960 in Monterrey, Mexico, as Alfredo in La Traviata. He sang with the Israeli National Opera from 1962 to 1965 before becoming a leading tenor with the New York City Opera from 1966 to 1968. He made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1968 as Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur.
During the 1990’s, Domingo and the tenors Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras gave a number of enormously popular concerts called “The Three Tenors” throughout the world. Domingo served as artistic director of the Washington (D.C.) Opera from 1996 to 2003 and as the company’s general director from 2003 to 2011. He also held the post of artistic director at the Los Angeles Opera from 2000 to 2003, and the post of general director from 2003 to 2019.
Domingo resigned as general director of the Los Angeles Opera after a number of women colleagues accused him of having sexually harassed them. He denied the accusations. In March 2020, an investigation ordered by the opera company determined the allegations were credible. Domingo denied that he had engaged in unwanted contact or abuse of power. His scheduled performances in the United States were canceled, but he continued to perform in other countries.
