Tag: Plácido Domingo

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Opera on-screen!

While skimming friends’ Facebook posts this morning, I came across a few comments relating to Placido Domingo & Stephen Colbert having sung Verdi’s La Donna e Mobile on last night’s “Colbert Report.” Having missed the broadcast, I immediately Googled the performance & was delighted with the video I found. Both men sound great & look as if they’re having a blast! Of course, I was well aware of Mr. Domingo’s musical credentials,  but not of Mr. Colbert’s. Turns out he majored in theater at Northwestern University & originally intended to perform on the stage, not the small screen. He also performed in Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” at Lincoln Center last year – at the composer’s invitation! You can read more about that adventure here:   http://www.npr.org/2011/06/14/137109384/stephen-colbert-in-good-company-on-broadway

I’ve posted before about all of the hand-wringing in the opera biz re: the future of the art form & am sure I will do so again. It’s not unjustified, but I think perhaps it gets out of hand (or at least is handled poorly) on occasion. Judging from the studio audience’s reaction to Mr. Domingo’s & Mr. Colbert’s performance,  opera isn’t dead yet. If pop culture audiences were exposed to more opera, would they actually buy tickets to live performances? Hmm.

Speaking of opera in a pop culture venue, Jonathan Palevsky & I will be at the Charles Theater tomorrow to welcome the audience for the Met’s Live in HD broadcast of Verdi’s “Ernani.” Showtime is 12:55 pm; hope to see you there!

To see the video of “La Donna e Mobile”, visit www.colbertnation.com

 

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De Mi Alma Latina (From My Latin Soul)

Aside from devoting an entire hour to birthday tenor, conductor, and impresario Plácido Domingo, I want to blog about one soul recording.  Maestro Domingo was born 71 years ago today in Spain.  His parents, zarzuela singers, something like Spanish operetta singers, in the late 1940’s moved to Mexico and formed their own zarzuela company.  Domingo spent a good portion of his life in Mexico City where he graduated from the Conservatory there.

Of the 100 complete opera recordings under his belt, not to mention compilations of duets and arias, my favorite Domingo recording is, De Mi Alma Latina.  He does indeed deliver Latin American standards from his heart and soul in lush, beautiful arrangements. Songs by composers like Agustin Lara once sung by Los Panchos or José José could easily sound cliché or corny today; however, with the voice and authentic delivery of Maestro Domingo, these Latin American gems come to light in a new and delicious way.  On this cold, winter night I think it’s time to sit by the fire, preferably with a lover, for a noche de ronda.