In front of an pumped-up full house (tickets sold out with days of the concert being announced), Spanish tenor Placido Domingo sprinkled superstar gold dust on the opening of the University of Guadalajara’s latest cultural space, the Conjunto de Artes Escenicas.
Given a standing ovation before he had even belted out his first note, Domingo didn’t disappoint his fans some who paid up to 5,000 pesos for a ticket. He was accompanied by a series of young opera talent, previous winners of his own Operalia competition, and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Kohn, a collaborator of Domingo’s over many years. Young talents David Lomelí and Juan Carlos Heredia from Mexico were given an especially warm reception by the audience.
A full program included variety of works by Rossini, Mozart, Massenet, Bizet, Puccini, Verdi and others, as well as pieces from zarzuela, the Spanish opera genre.
Following the presentation, Domingo declared his unbinding love for Guadalajara, the city where he began his singing career 60 years ago. He also expressed his solidarity with the country following last month’s devastating earthquake, in which almost 400 people perished. As many people here remember, Domingo took part in rescue efforts in the aftermath of the 1985 quake, a noble gesture that endeared him further in Mexicans hearts.
In unveiling a plaque at the entrance to the complex prior to the concert, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval said the new space is proof that Guadalajara is becoming the “cultural capital of Latin America.”
The main Conjunto de Artes auditorium, which has been named for Domingo, has a capacity for 1,800, while the complex’s three other salas can seat audiences of 900, 400 and 200 respectively. A second stage of development will see a cafe seating 160, which can be used for jazz series, as well as a five-salon “Cineteca” with state-of-the-art movie projection equipment.
For information on upcoming events, see conjuntodeartesescenicas.com.