Opera star Placido Domingo in key dates

Key dates for Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo who is withdrawing from performing at New York’s Metropolitan Opera amid allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.

– January 21, 1941: Born in Madrid to parents who are both performers of zarzuela, the traditional Spanish operetta.

– 1949: Moves with his family to Mexico where he studies piano, conducting and singing at the National Conservatory of Music.

– 1959: Makes his opera debut with a small role at the Mexico National Opera.

– 1961: Sings his first leading role as Alfredo in Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” in Monterrey, Mexico.

– 1962: Weds his second wife, Mexican soprano Marta Ornelas, with whom he will have two sons. He has another boy from an earlier union. Leaves for Tel Aviv, where he will spend two seasons with the Hebrew National Opera.

– 1965: His international career takes off as Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” with the New York City Opera.

– 1973: Makes his debut as conductor in “La Traviata” at the New York City Opera.

– 1990: Forms “The Three Tenors” with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras. It dissolves in 2003.

– 1996: Becomes artistic director at the Washington National Opera and general director from 2003 to 2011. From 2003 also heads the Los Angeles Opera.

– 2009: Returns to singing baritone in the title role of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” with the Berlin Staatsoper.

– August 2019: Allegations of sexual harassment emerge and the Los Angeles Opera opens an investigation. The Philadelphia Orchestra and San Francisco Opera cancel upcoming performances.

– September 25, 2019: The New York’s Metropolitan Opera announces his withdrawal from future performances at the venue.