Grand Lyric Gala of the UCAM Symphony Orchestra with Plácido Domingo, ‘Remembrance of José Luis Mendoza’
It will be held on 4 October at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas in Murcia in memory of the UCAM founder
On 4 October at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas in Murcia there will be a great concert starring Plácido Domingo. The concert, ‘Remembrance of José Luis Mendoza’, the UCAM Founder, is being organised by the UCAM Symphony Orchestra.
It is a historic event and an honour for the UCAM Symphony Orchestra to be accompanied by Plácido Domingo, the greatest musical ambassador Spain has ever had. His legacy can be seen in events such as the international opera singing competition Operalia, which has discovered countless young talents –who are now international stars– and which will celebrate its 31st edition in Mumbay in a couple of weeks' time.
The evening of October 4th will be devoted entirely to zarzuela, a Spanish lyric genre soon to be named Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Some of the most emblematic and recognised pages of zarzuela will be performed through romanzas, duets, preludes, interludes and choruses.
The Madrid-born Maestro has a natural link with zarzuela, being the son of two great performers of this genre, Pepita Embil, known as the ‘queen of zarzuela’, and the baritone Plácido Domingo Ferrer. Over the past five decades, he has become the genre's greatest ambassador worldwide, taking it to the most prestigious opera houses, such as Milan's Teatro alla Scala and Vienna's Staatsoper, among others. Just a few days ago, he brought zarzuela to the majestic Arena in Verona, where he triumphed, celebrating 55 years since his debut in the Italian Coliseum. He gave an extraordinary show with scenery and costumes, and was accompanied by the corps de ballet of the Compañía Antonio Gades, before a varied audience of thousands of people from all over the world.
‘Returning to Murcia to sing after so many years is very exciting for me. I am happy and very honoured by this invitation from the Universidad Católica’, said Plácido Domingo. ‘To once again make music, especially my beloved zarzuela, amidst friends, professors and young people is a source of great joy for me. I am very grateful to, and admire all, those who are so passionately involved in culture and education, because there is potential in every young person that can be refined to the highest levels through study. It is a huge responsibility to follow them on this path, especially today, helping everyone value their own talent in all disciplines’.
On this occasion the Maestro will be accompanied by the Catalan soprano Serena Sáenz, winner of Operalia and the Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition, and the international Asturian tenor Juan Noval-Moro.
The UCAM Symphony Orchestra and the Coral Discantus, conducted by Borja Quintas, will include some expressly chosen pieces to their repertoire for this occasion, adding a Murcian flair to this gala.
‘This will be the third time that the UCAM Symphony Orchestra has accompanied Plácido Domingo, the two previous times being at the National Auditorium in Madrid,’ said María Dolores García, UCAM president, ‘and now we are privileged that the performance is organised by our Symphony Orchestra and that it will be held in Murcia, in memory of the UCAM founder, José Luis Mendoza, a great admirer of Maestro Domingo.
A historic event which is not to be missed.