World opera legend Plácido Domingo gets standing ovation in Prague’s Rudolfinum
World opera legend Plácido Domingo gave a highly-anticipated concert in the Dvořák Hall of the Prague Rudolfinum on Thursday night. His rendition of famous opera arias by Verdi and Puccini, as well as vibrant Spanish zarzuelas, won him a standing ovation.
Plácido Domingo first performed in Prague in 1990, just months after the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia and right around the time when the super trio “The Three Tenors” was born: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras.
Ever since his first visit, Placido Domingo has been a regular on Czech stages — not only as a singer but also as a conductor, as the maestro himself points out.
“I’ve sung in Prague many times, and we also conducted a work by Mozart, Don Giovanni. So I spent quite a bit of time in the city, and we had a wonderful time. We were here with the family, with my wife, and I’ve never stopped coming. Every time I’ve been invited, of course, I’ve come.”
However, last night was his first time performing in the more intimate setting of the Rudolfinum, where he appeared together with soprano Adriana Kučerová and mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů, accompanied by the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Rastislav Štúr.
Domingo dedicated the first half of the concert to Italian composers such as Giordano and Puccini — but above all, to Verdi. The second half, a true novelty for Prague audiences, offered an extensive journey through Spanish zarzuelas: from La boda de Luis Alonso by Gerónimo Giménez to El gato montés by Manuel Penella, including works by Jacinto Guerrero, Ruperto Chapí, and Federico Moreno Torroba.
For Plácido Domingo, zarzuela is something deeply personal:
“In general, my concerts have always been about opera, all classical. But since zarzuela is the extraordinary Spanish music that my parents taught me — they were both zarzuela singers — I’ve kept singing it. And wherever I go, if possible, I sing zarzuela. And I’ve found the chance to do it here as well.”
At 84, after nearly 160 operatic roles and more than 4,400 concerts worldwide, the joy of singing and reconnecting with the audience keeps him touring from country to country.
“I’ve sung so much, I’ve done so many works, that I think I’m repeating quite a few, because I don’t think there are many left for me to do. But truly, it’s wonderful for me to be able to perform not only opera and zarzuela, but also operettas. It’s a privilege — a privilege to still be able to do this work, really, in front of an audience that listens to you, whether singing or conducting, watching you. And, well, in this city, it’s truly special.”
Gabriela Rachidi : “Those of us accompanying him these days are exhausted — he’s unstoppable”
Gabriela Rachidi, director of the Český Krumlov Festival and organizer of Plácido Domingo’s concerts in the Czech Republic over the past decade, told Radio Prague International what it means to have his voice and presence back once again.
“It’s very emotional for us because we’ve been working together for 14 years, since 2011, when the maestro returned to the Czech Republic after a long time, for the closing of the 20th edition of the Český Krumlov Festival. Since then, we’ve collaborated on many projects. It has been a wonderful journey, and the Rudolfinum feels like the culmination — it’s a space the maestro has always admired during his previous visits. For us, it’s truly a great honor to work with such a personality.”
Listening to zarzuela in a hall like the Rudolfinum is, without a doubt, something extraordinary.
“Indeed — the maestro is introducing this music to audiences in the Czech Republic, because also in Český Krumlov, on two recent occasions, he performed zarzuelas in his concerts. So I’d say that thanks to him, zarzuela is becoming known to Czech audiences.”
“I’d like to add — though this is a personal reflection — that he’s truly a personality who transcends the world of music. He’s not only a great artist but also an incredible person with immense humility, someone from whom we should all learn — his values, the way he treats his family, his camaraderie, and his extraordinary work ethic. He’s a great inspiration, and I’m very happy to have had the chance to work with him again.”
Gabriela Rachidi also highlights Plácido Domingo’s inexhaustible energy:
“I don’t understand it. Those of us accompanying him are exhausted after just a few days, so we can’t imagine how he gets on a plane again, flies somewhere else, and performs a different repertoire. And he’s been doing this for 55 years. Many young people around him would rather retire, but he keeps going — adding and adding — he’s unstoppable. I can see how it fills him with energy; it’s what truly keeps him going and gives him that drive.”
