tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11380345.post4341706267897875025..comments2024-03-17T12:16:42.048-07:00Comments on Civic Center: The Divinity of Placido DomingoCivic Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12362422142667230626noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11380345.post-25725499840003313502010-11-11T11:30:40.053-08:002010-11-11T11:30:40.053-08:00Dear coolfreeze: Domingo is definitely living in t...Dear coolfreeze: Domingo is definitely living in the present, something I also try to do as much as possible, but this was one of those nights where time tugged unwillingly. I was suddenly taken back to my own 20s, standing at the San Francisco Opera balcony rail where the sound is the best and where the cool people used to hang out, and Domingo was in his absolute prime singing major roles.<br /><br />Going back to see Karita Mattila the next night in "Makropulos Case" was perfect, and brought me right back to the present. If you live in the Bay Area, do check it out.Civic Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362422142667230626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11380345.post-35647996706346468972010-11-11T11:00:36.006-08:002010-11-11T11:00:36.006-08:00Nice write-up. I know that things like this can be...Nice write-up. I know that things like this can be incredibly nostalgic, and the nostalgic pull can really overshadow reality. But in Domingo's case-- and this is a rare case-- his career can stand alone without any nostalgia. I was only 26 when I became a fan a couple years ago. No history there, and yet he was still thrilling as recently as 2 years ago and is still thrilling at 70. His voice and his presence and artistry have changed, some a bit for the worse (bit more wear and tear in voice) and some for the better (his aura and presence is less impulsive and more cerebral). So, an artist like that can definitely be enjoyed without the weight or the baggage of nostalgia, although the sheer amount of work he has left for a new fan to discover is impossible to ignore.freezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09676776896966424217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11380345.post-55402366111560699852010-11-11T09:45:34.122-08:002010-11-11T09:45:34.122-08:00Domingo is God - is there any question? I saw him ...Domingo is God - is there any question? I saw him in both the Carmen (also the movie version) and Samson and Delilah. Was that the one with the controversial ballet in the middle? I can't remember exactly but I remember the thrilling final scene when the temple comes down and Domingo is smashing the Philistines and thrilling the rest of us with his superb singing. Shirley Verrett, who just passed away, was magnificent but then, I like voices with a lot of warmth in them (ditto Grace Bumbry, et). <br /><br />Also, although the memory is a bit foggy, I seem to remember that he had a pretty good physique for an opera singer - certainly better than his "rival" Pavarotti. <br /><br />Thanks for reminding me!Nancy Ewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116290968007398337noreply@blogger.com