Placido Domingo to Step Down as General Manager of Los Angeles Opera

After nine years at the helm of Los Angeles Opera, Placido Domingo is stepping down as the company’s general manager.

Placido Domingo’s career

Placido Domingo has had a remarkable career, both as an opera singer and as a conductor. He has now announced that he will be stepping down as the general manager of the Los Angeles Opera. This is a position he has held for the past 15 years. It is not clear what his next move will be, but it is clear that he will continue to be an important figure in the world of opera.

His roles in the opera world

Plácido Domingo has been central to the opera world for over 50 years. A tenor of rare lyrical and dramatic power, he has sung more than 150 different roles and is widely credited with redefining the Heldentenor repertoire.

In addition to his work as a performer, Domingo has been a driving force behind some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. He served as artistic director of the Washington National Opera from 1996 to 2003 and as general manager of the Los Angeles Opera from 2003 until his retirement in October 2019.

Domingo’s roles in the opera world are not limited to the stage. He has also appeared in a number of films, including Zeffirelli’s 1968 production of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Carmen” (1984), in which he played Don José opposite Julia Migenes-Johnson.

His contributions to the Los Angeles Opera

Domingo has been a tower of strength for the Los Angeles Opera ever since he stepped in as general manager in 2006, following the disastrous tenure of his predecessor, Lotfi Mansouri. He has been a steadying influence during a period of turmoil and transition, presiding over a significant expansion of the company’s physical plant (the new state-of-the-art production complex at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels) and guiding it through the Great Recession. He has also helped to increase both the artistic quality and international profile of the company’s productions, attracting such stars as Anna Netrebko, Renée Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Plácido Domingo Jr., and Bryn Terfel to its stage.

The announcement

Placido Domingo has announced that he will be stepping down as the general manager of Los Angeles Opera, effective immediately. In a statement, Domingo said that “it is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision.” Domingo has been the general manager of the opera company since 2003.

The reasons for his decision

Placido Domingo, one of the most influential opera singers and administrators of the 20th century, has announced that he will step down as general manager of Los Angeles Opera at the end of the 2018-19 season. In a statement released by the company on Tuesday, Domingo said that he had “come to the difficult decision” to resign after 27 years in order “to take on new professional projects at this stage in my life.”

Domingo, 78, has been a powerful force in the opera world for more than 50 years. He has sung over 150 roles and is widely considered one of the greatest tenors of all time. He has also been a prominent conductor and administrator, serving as music director or general director at several prestigious companies including Washington National Opera, Madrid’s Teatro Real and Valencia’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.

In his statement, Domingo thanked the Board of Directors, staff, artists and patrons of Los Angeles Opera for their support during his tenure. He said he was proud of the company’s accomplishments during his time as general manager, including its expansion into new venues and its commitment to commissioning new work.

Domingo’s resignation comes amid allegations of sexual misconduct by multiple women. In August, The Associated Press published an investigation in which nine women accused Domingo of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior. The AP reported that the alleged incidents took place over three decades, beginning in the 1980s. Domingo has denied any wrongdoing.

It is not clear if Domingo’s resignation is related to the allegations against him. In his statement, Domingo made no mention of them. But LA Opera has been facing pressure to address the accusations against its leader. Last month, more than 100 members of LA Opera’s orchestra signed a letter calling on the company to investigate the claims against Domingo. And last week, members of LA Opera’s chorus staged a protest outside a rehearsal for Verdi’s “Requiem,” which Domingo was scheduled to conduct.

His replacement

Aram demirjian, the current Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, will be taking over as the new General Manager of Los Angeles Opera effective immediately, according to an announcement made today by LA Opera Chairman Marc Stern. Domingo, who has been with LA Opera since 2003 and served as General Manager since 2006, will be stepping down due to health reasons.

This is a surprise move by LA Opera, though not an entirely unexpected one given Domingo’s health scare earlier this year. Demirjian is a relative unknown in the opera world, but he is highly respected in the orchestral world and is considered to be a rising star. He will be taking over a company that is in good financial shape and has a strong season lined up for the 2019/20 season. It will be interesting to see what direction Demirjian takes LA Opera in and how he builds on the legacy left by Domingo.

The future of the Los Angeles Opera

Placido Domingo’s resignation as the general manager of the Los Angeles Opera leaves many questions about the future of the company. Domingo has been a key figure in the company’s success over the past two decades, and his departure will no doubt have a significant impact. It remains to be seen who will step into his shoes and how the company will move forward without him.

The challenges it faces

The Los Angeles Opera has faced a number of challenges in recent years, and the future is uncertain. In 2017, the company was forced to cancel its production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo” due to financial difficulties. The company has also been plagued by scandal, with former general manager Placido Domingo resigning in 2019 amid accusations of sexual harassment.

The future of the Los Angeles Opera will likely be determined by its ability to overcome these challenges. If it can secure the funding necessary to mount productions like “Don Carlo,” and if it can regain the trust of its audience, then it has a chance to thrive in the years to come.

The potential for success

There is no question that Plácido Domingo’s resignation from his position as general manager of the Los Angeles Opera is a blow to the company. Domingo was a driving force behind the opera’s construction and its subsequent programming, and his leadership will be missed. That said, it would be a mistake to count the Los Angeles Opera out just yet.

The company has a solid foundation, and with new leadership in place, it has the potential to continue thriving. The Los Angeles Opera has always been known for its cutting-edge productions, and with a renewed commitment to innovation, it can continue to lead the way in modern opera.

What’s more, the Los Angeles Opera has always had strong financial backing. Its board of directors is deep-pocketed and committed to the long-term success of the company. With their support, there is no reason why the Los Angeles Opera can’t continue to be a major player on the international opera scene.