Placido Domingo, the 1999 Hispanic Heritage Award Honoree for Arts, is one of the world’s greatest Opera voices. Known for his mastery of the classics and his passion for the beauty and emotion of music of the Latin world, Domingo continues to be one of the most successful and sought after performing arts musicians.

Born in Madrid, but growing up in Mexico, Domingo studied both voice and piano at the Mexico City Conservatory. He made his operatic debut as Alfredo in the opera, La Traviata. After his debut, Domingo spent two years touring with the Israel National Opera, where he performed nearly 300 times in 12 different roles. In 1966 he appeared in the United States premiere of Ginastera’s Don Rodrigo as the title role at the Lincoln Center in New York City. In 1968, Domingo started his career of performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York by performing Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur. Since then, Mr. Domingo has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera for more than 300 performances, including 30 different roles, and spanning nearly a quarter century in consecutive seasons. Since starting his career in opera, Domingo has sung at all of the world’s premier opera houses including Vienna, San Francisco, Hamburg, Munich, Paris, London, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Chicago and Tokyo.

Aside from singing, Domingo is also an accomplished conductor. He made his debut at the podium in the 1973-74 seasons at the New York City Opera, directing LaTraviata. Since then, he has traveled the world as a guest conductor, even performing with the prestigious Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Domingo is also a very successful recording artist. He has released numerous albums ranging from the classics to Mariachi. Domingo’s first Latin album, De Mi Alma Latina, released in August of 1994, has sold over one million copies worldwide and was followed up with a second volume in May of 1997.

Recently, Domingo has been performing worldwide and continues to guest conduct. In 2002, he traveled to Japan with the Washington Opera and performed at the Salzburg Festival. He continues to be one of the most prominent performing artists in the world today, inspiring and entertaining people everywhere.