Gulf | Qatar
Domingo performs in Doha sell-out concert
Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo will perform for the first time in Qatar tonight in the spectacular setting of Doha's landmark Pearl Island.
- By Barbara Bibbo', Correspondent
- Published: 20:26 February 25, 2008
Doha: Legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo will perform for the first time in Qatar tonight in the spectacular setting of Doha's landmark Pearl Island.
Tickets were sold out for this unique concert that will inaugurate the two-week long Qatar Cultural Festival by attracting hundreds of music lovers from across the Gulf region, Lebanon and Jordan.
"It is a privilege to be in Qatar for the first time and have the opportunity of making the people of Qatar happy with our music," Domingo told the media in a press conference on Sunday night.
The tenor's performance is the first in a series of world-class cultural and music events to be hosted by what will become a new high-class city of 40,000 residents.
Considered the greatest living tenor, Domingo has introduced opera to a wider world audience bridging the gap between opera and popular music as one of the Three Tenors alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras.
Accompanied by the Mexican soprano Ailyn Perez, American conductor Eugene Kohn and the Baden Baden Philharmonic Orchestra, 67-year old Domingo will present some of operatic roles that have most characterised his illustrious career.
"You will listen to Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, but also to some light music," he said.
Viennese operetta
Maestro Eugene Kohn, who has accompanied the tenor in his international performances for the past 22 years, said the first part of the programme would be concluded with Verdi's Otello, a role that Domingo has mastered unrivalled for more than three decades.
"We will also present a selection of Viennese operetta, traditional Spanish Zarzuela and an English language selection for those who have never been in an operatic concert," Kohn said.
The tenor, who is also a conductor, is today the General Director of the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera, and the founder of Operalia, an international music contest for young singers.
"Operalia is what I care more about today," said Domingo of his festival that has helped young talents like 28-year-old Perez rise on the international scene.
Walid Maalouf, general manager of hospitality at The Pearl, said the island's developers shared the tenor's commitment and passion in helping the youth and promote the emergence of music talents.
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