Ron Drew's Music Pages - Favourite Singers
Placido Domingo
Placido, born in Spain in 1941, has had a career as an opera singer, recording artist and a conductor. Well known in the opera world, his good looks and lyrical tenor voice makes him sought after by all the opera houses. When he joined with Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti to form the "3 Tenors" combo for a concert in Rome, Italy in 1990 their names became known by people outside the opera sphere and their work was admired worldwide.
When 8 yrs.old Placido's parents left Spain for
Mexico where they ran a company specializing in zarzuela
(musical theatre devoted to operetta). The whole
family had been theatrical and he was soon singing with the
company thus setting the seed for his love for opera. At that
time he was singing in the typical operetta baritone
voice but this had to change when he moved to singing in opera
where the usual men's voices are tenor or bass.
At the age of 20 he had his first operatic roles with the Israel National Opera and not being a natural tenor, Placido had to work hard to get up to the tenor register. Since his New York debut in 1965 he has established a world reputation as a sypathetic leading tenor. When he sings the quality of the lyrical voice that emerges with such enthusiasm makes him a delight to see as well as to hear: no wonder he is such a favourite with the ladies!
Evelyn had enjoyed classical music for some time but from the day she heard Placido singing with John Denver she was hooked on classics. His singing in an album of popular music which included John Denver's composition "Annie's Song" did the trick. It should have been called 'Evelyn's Song' for it was played over and over again! Placido was one of the first 'classical' singers to embrace the popular song: many others have followed his lead and neither they nor the opera world has suffered because of it. Despite this, however, he sometimes despairs at the lack of interest by young people today who prefer pop to classics. " I think we need more education. Children should be able to understand better".
In 1984 Placido Domingo appeared for one night in a guest role in "Tosca" at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle to celebrate that Theatre's re-opening. It had had years in the doldrums as a cinema together with long periods of closure until the early 80's when it was taken over by amateurs and semi-pros under the leadership of Jack Dixon for the presentation of musicals and plays. Domingo had heard of the magnificent accoustic qualities of this building, originally built as an Opera House, which was partly the result of it having an internal skin of of wooden cladding. This, togethether with a superb dome above the auditorium, made it a joy for singers and audiences alike. So he was persuaded to do a one night stand with a scratch cast of professionals together with local amateurs who had been engaged for small roles to keep the costs down!
Placido Domingo's performance as Caramalossi, the painter, proved also to be to be a highlight in the theatrical experiences of Peter Charlton, a leading amateur tenor with the South Shields Operatic Society(qv). He, together with Tony Adamson, were offered parts in this production as two of the 'heavies' - the secret police who looked after Scarpia, the chief of police. Peter recounts the time when he had to wrestle with Domingo in one scene and was amazed to have Placido telling him to be a bit rougher in his handling of him!
Despite being heavily subsidised by Newcastle Corporation the ticket prices for the night were more than had ever been experienced before in the city. £25 for a seat in the gallery and up to £50 for the stalls and circle. The canny folk of Newcastle and the surrounding towns got around these high prices by two people buying one ticket and sharing the performance. Between Acts the ticket was transferred between them in the bar! A memorable day for those able to join this unique experience for the city.
Although Placido Domingo is now spending more time in the recording studios and directing and conducting opera, (togther with the occasional game of football) he still is able, even in 1998, at the age of 57, to play youthful, romantic heroes, an irony that amuses him! He recounted to Bryan Appleyard in the Sunday Times (16/8/1998) "........ I started with singers who could practically have been my grandmother, then with sopranos who could be my mother, then my older sister, then my younger sister, now it is with my daughters. Soon I will sing with sopranos who could be my granddaughters."
A nice bit of positive thinking, but could it come true?
Domingo's family life had been anything but easy. As a youth of 17 in Mexico City Domingo married Anne Marie Garez after a whirlwind romance. The marriage lasted less than two years, but their son, Jose, was later to marry and and in 1974 a daughter, Ivonne Armant, was born. He was soon to leave the mother and daughter to fend for themselves and joined the Church of Scientology.
Ivonne was to become a glamourous star of Mexican soap operas and much to Domingo's chagrin has posed naked in Playboy. She wasn't to know of her relationship to Domingo until she was 15 years old and her recent attempts to make contact with her grandfather, Placido, has so far proved fruitless. He makes no public comment about her goings on, but a source close to him said "He may not be happy about how things turn out, but he hopes she finds happiness. She is a grown woman: if she wants to take her clothes off in public, or if Jose wants to join the scientologists, there is little he can do."
Placido Domingo has been married since 1962 to Marta who, like him, is a respected opera director. Placido junior, one of Domingo's sons from this second marriage, now a successful businessman, has accused Ivonne of bringing disgrace on the old Spanish family.
Evelyn's favourite title?
Other favourites
- From the album "The Broadway I Love"
- From the album "Be my Love" (1989)
More favourites
Films featuring Placido Domingo
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