Acclaimed performer Plácido Domingo to be honored with UCLA Medal for his contributions in music.
UCLA to Honor Opera Legend Plácido Domingo with the UCLA Medal
Plácido Domingo, the renowned opera singer, conductor, and arts educator, will receive UCLA's highest honor, the UCLA Medal, on November 12. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. in UCLA's Schoenberg Hall.
Established in 1979, the UCLA Medal is bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society and UCLA. Previous recipients include Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Mancini, Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Toni Morrison, President Bill Clinton, and architect I.M. Pei, among others.
Domingo's influence on the arts, particularly opera, spans over six decades. He made his American debut in 1961 singing Arturo in "Lucia di Lammermoor" with the Dallas Civic Opera. Since then, he has sung 148 different roles in more than 3,900 performances in the world's greatest opera houses.
In addition to his performing career, Domingo has made significant contributions to opera and arts education. He is the founder of various programs to train young opera singers, including the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera, the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at the LA Opera, and the Centre de Perfeccionament Plácido Domingo at the Palau de las Arts in Valencia, Spain.
Domingo has also been an adjunct professor in UCLA's department of music, leading choral and orchestral master classes. He has inspired young singers at UCLA, including Angel Blue, who earned a master of music degree from UCLA in 2008 and has since performed in great European concert halls.
Following the UCLA Medal ceremony, an 80-minute master class with Plácido Domingo and two students from UCLA's voice and opera program and two singers from the Domingo-Colburn-Stein program will take place. The event is free and open to the public, but advance reservations are required. Seating for the event is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Domingo's involvement in arts education extends beyond UCLA. He is the president of Europa Nostra, chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, and on the board of trustees of the National YoungArts Foundation. Since 1993, he has organized the Operalia voice competition, providing opportunities for 40 singers to perform before an international jury. The competition has helped launch the careers of artists such as Joyce DiDonato, Rolando Villazóñ, Erwin Schrott, and Isabel Bayrakdarian.
Domingo has been a vital presence in LA Opera's artistic administration since 1984. He served as artistic consultant from 1984 to 2000 and as artistic director from 2001 to 2003. He is currently contracted to hold the position of Eli and Edythe Broad General Director of LA Opera through the 2021-22 season.
This event promises to be a unique opportunity for the UCLA community and the public to witness the artistic prowess and educational impact of Plácido Domingo.
Attendees of the UCLA Medal ceremony will not only witness Plácido Domingo's exceptional artistic prowess, but also his dedication to education and self-development within the field of music, particularly through his programs for training young opera singers and his role as an adjunct professor at UCLA. Following the ceremony, a master class with Domingo will provide an opportunity for entertainment and learning for students and the public.
