Celebrated tenor to sing for Darfur
You don’t have to be an opera lover to enjoy the voice of Placido Domingo. A multifaceted artist with a remarkable career, the internationally acclaimed tenor is well known for his artistic gifts, his generous personality, as well as being one-third of the Three Tenors. The Spanish-born Domingo is expected in Athens next week for a charity concert in aid of the children of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Organized by Medecins Sans Frontieres, the concert will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium on June 27. In Athens, Domingo will join forces with Katherine Jenkins and the ERT State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Eugene Kohn. Also expected to make an appearance alongside Domingo is Greek vocalist Fotini Darra. The evening includes arias from operas, operettas and musicals, among others. Solid career Having interpreted 124 roles at landmark theaters around the world, Domingo is celebrated for his musical talents as well as his remarkable stage presence – and it all became apparent at a very young age. Domingo was only 27 when he appeared at New York’s Metropolitan Opera to rave reviews, followed by an equally successful appearance at Milan’s La Scala a year later. Domingo’s exceptional career includes more than 100 recordings, while his work alongside fellow tenors Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras is credited with breaking musical barriers in order to reach formerly virgin opera audiences. «When I rest, I rust» is the artist’s motto and that is not just words. In December 2006, Domingo took on the leading role in Chinese-American composer Tan Dun’s new epic opera, «The First Emperor.» In May this year, the tenor celebrated his first 40 years in opera, while tickets for the concert he is scheduled to give at the Salzburg Festival in August were sold out last year. Besides his vocal experience, Domingo is also an accomplished maestro and was the general director of the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera. Earlier this year, the artist announced that in 2009 he will take part as a baritone and undertake the demanding role of the Doge of Genoa, in Giuseppe Verdi’s «Simon Boccanegra.» Crossover voice Born in 1980, crossover mezzo-soprano Jenkins is a rising star of world opera. Part of Live 8 in Berlin in 2005, Jenkins has also performed for Britain’s royal family at Buckingham and Saint James palaces. In 2004, her album «Premiere» became the second fastest selling mezzo-soprano album after Maria Callas. Panathenaic (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, June 27. For tickets: Nikos Xylouris music store at 39 Panepistimiou, on tel 210.723.4567 and online at www.ticketservices.gr.
