Placido Domingo News

On July 4th, 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic launched its classical music presence in Southern Nevada, bringing a refined new cultural dimension to the city. The presentation of five Masterworks Series concerts and four Pops Series concerts in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts October 2012 through May 2013 will be the orchestra's first full season in the new venue, which opened in March 2012, as its resident orchestra, and connotes another important milestone in the continued growth of the organization.

Telemundo Media announced today the appointment of veteran television and music executive Mario Ruiz as Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Strategy, effective immediately.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City closes its 55th season with Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, tonight, April 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2013 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Chicago Opera Theater's Chicago Stage Premiere production of Astor Piazzolla's MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES evokes Argentina's 'Dirty War', the period between 1976 and 1983 when the country was governed by military juntas which controlled the populace through state-sponsored terrorism. This 'tango operita' is of stunning originality, pulsing to the passion and beat of Astor Piazzolla's revolutionary 'nuevo tango' and Horacio Ferrer's mesmerizing, imaginative poetry. Chicago Opera Theater's production is a collaboration with Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Theater at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, and runs for four performances only: tonight, April 20; Wednesday, April 24; Friday, April 26; and Sunday, April 28.

The acclaimed Italian Tenor Luciano Lamonarca, recently established in New Rochelle (Westchester County, NY), has been invited by the United Nations Symphony Orchestra as a special performing guest at their Spring Concert. The performance will take place tonight, April 15, 2013, at the Merkin Concert Hall (129 W 67th Street near Broadway) at 7:30pm. The orchestra will showcase the rich talents of the UN community, performing some of the most popular classical works of various periods.

It's hard to believe, but Stages Musical Theatre Festival will be almost twenty years old this year. This perennial musical theatre event returns to Los Angeles the weekend of August 23-25, hosted by the New Musicals Initiative at the Academy for New Musical Theatre at the Lonny Chapman Theatre (10900 Burbank Blvd in North Hollywood) and the Academy, 5628 Vineland in North Hollywood, featuring eight new musicals, in concert.

The acclaimed Italian Tenor Luciano Lamonarca, recently established in New Rochelle (Westchester County, NY), has been invited by the United Nations Symphony Orchestra as a special performing guest at their Spring Concert. The performance will take place on Monday, April 15, 2013, at the Merkin Concert Hall (129 W 67th Street near Broadway) at 7:30pm.

Love musicals? Want to hear some brand-new material from up-and-coming new musical theatre writers? The ANMT writers have a 40 year history of writing musicals! Join us on Friday, April 12th at the Colony Theatre in Burbank for GOT MUSICAL: a sneak preview of brand-new musicals in development for producers across the country.

Following the participation of Edward Albee, Liv Ullmann, Placido Domingo, Bill T. Jones and Jacques D'Amboise along with other artistic notables in previous seasons of the arts-based series, HBO and the National YoungArts Foundation will continue its educational YoungArts MASTERCLASS series with a spotlight on two-time Tony Award-winning theatrical legend Patti LuPone today, April 1.

Besides singing her dream role of Violetta for the first time anywhere, soprano Diana Damrau was also RIGOLETTO's Gilda in the Met's new 'Ratpack' production that was seen by millions worldwide as an HD broadcast in February. And, oh yes, there was the arrival of her second son, Colyn, whose impending birth late in 2012 had sent the opera world into a tizzy, when Mama Damrau began cancelling performances.

The Music Institute of Chicago, now in its 83rd year, hosts its annual gala Monday, May 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place. The oldest community music school in Illinois and one of the three largest community music schools in the nation, the Music Institute is planning a celebratory evening highlighted by the presentation of the Dushkin Award to internationally acclaimed pianist, cultural ambassador and educator Lang Lang.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents Paul Giamatti in HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by James Bundy, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), tonight, March 15-April 13. Opening Night is Thursday, March 21, at 7:30PM.

Chicago Opera Theater's Chicago Stage Premiere production of Astor Piazzolla's MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES evokes Argentina's 'Dirty War', the period between 1976 and 1983 when the country was governed by military juntas which controlled the populace through state-sponsored terrorism. This 'tango operita' is of stunning originality, pulsing to the passion and beat of Astor Piazzolla's revolutionary 'nuevo tango' and Horacio Ferrer's mesmerizing, imaginative poetry. Chicago Opera Theater's production is a collaboration with Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Theater at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, and runs for four performances only: Saturday, April 20; Wednesday, April 24; Friday, April 26; and Sunday, April 28.

Diana Damrau will make her role debut as the courtesan Violetta in La Traviata, conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin in his first Met performances of the Verdi tragedy. Saimir Pirgu sings Violetta's lover Alfredo, and Placido Domingo sings the role of Alfredo's father, Giorgio Germont, in this revival of Willy Decker's 2010 production. This season's performances will be Damrau's first time singing the role of Violetta anywhere, while Domingo will move from the tenor role of Alfredo, which he has sung at the Met numerous times since 1970, to the baritone role of Giorgio.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City closes its 55th season with Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, April 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2013 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Professional percussionist Jim Neglia has worked with top names in the performing arts industry, from Placido Domingo and Yo-Yo-Ma to Johnny Mathis, Spike Lee and Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Placido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, announced today that James Conlon, the Company's Richard Seaver Music Director, has extended his contract with LA Opera through the end of the 2017/2018 season. "James has had an incredible impact on the artistic quality of LA Opera performances," said Mr. Domingo. "Since his arrival, he has conducted more than half of our mainstage performances, inspiring performers and audiences alike through his extraordinary talents. His vision for the company's future, like mine, is one of great ambition and optimism. We have so many exciting plans for LA Opera's seasons to come, and I am greatly looking forward to continuing our work together."