Placido Domingo Quotes

Powerful Placido Domingo for Daily Growth

About Placido Domingo

Plácido Domingo Fernández-Pulo, born on January 21, 1941, in Madrid, Spain, is a globally acclaimed opera singer, conductor, and artistic administrator, who has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. His journey into the realm of opera began at the tender age of nine, when he made his first radio appearance, showcasing his prodigious talent. Domingo's family relocated to Mexico City in 1959, where he studied at the National Conservatory of Music. In 1961, he made his professional opera debut as Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata. His career took flight in 1968 when he made his United States debut at New York City Opera, followed by a sensational Metropolitan Opera debut in 1970. Known for his wide-ranging baritone voice, Domingo has excelled in an extensive repertoire that spans from Mozart and Rossini to Puccini and Verdi. His versatility is not limited to singing, as he has also distinguished himself as a conductor and artistic director. He founded the Operalia competition for young opera singers in 1998 and served as the general manager of Washington National Opera from 2003 to 2011. Throughout his illustrious career, Domingo has won numerous awards, including ten Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the International Hall of Fame for Great Performers at Lincoln Center in 2000 and knighted by Queen Sofia of Spain in 1990. With over 5,000 performances and counting, Plácido Domingo stands as one of the most significant figures in the history of opera.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The important thing in art as in life is risking something."

Plácido Domingo's quote emphasizes the significance of taking risks in both art and life. By "risking something," he suggests that one should not shy away from challenges or innovative ideas, but instead embrace them to grow and evolve. It underscores the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and pushing boundaries in the pursuit of personal growth and artistic expression. In essence, this quote encourages boldness, creativity, and fearlessness as keys to a fulfilling life and impactful artistry.


"Music is my life. It's the air I breathe and the light that guides me through the darkness."

This quote highlights the profound significance music holds for Plácido Domingo, as it encompasses his very existence. He views music as a vital force that sustains him like air, and a beacon of guidance in challenging times, akin to light in darkness. The quote underscores the deep emotional connection and devotion he has towards music, demonstrating how deeply intertwined his life is with his art.


"I feel I have been given a gift, and it is my duty to share that gift with others."

Plácido Domingo's quote highlights his sense of responsibility as an artist, recognizing his talent as a gift rather than an entitlement. He feels it is not only his right but also his duty to use this gift for the benefit of others by sharing it through his performances and contributions to music. This perspective underscores the idea that artistic abilities should be used for uplifting and enriching society, promoting a spirit of generosity and service in the arts.


"My dream was always to sing in all the great theaters of the world."

Plácido Domingo's quote expresses his lifelong ambition to perform on the grand stages of the world's most esteemed theaters, symbolizing a commitment to achieving excellence in his operatic career and sharing his artistry with diverse global audiences. This statement underscores the passion and determination that drives exceptional artists to push their boundaries, strive for greatness, and inspire others through their craft.


"Every artist should dream big dreams and then work very hard to make those dreams come true."

This quote by Plácido Domingo emphasizes the importance of ambition and determination in an artistic career. It suggests that artists should set lofty goals (dream big dreams), but also recognize that such aspirations require hard work to be realized. In essence, it conveys the idea that aspiring artists should combine visionary ideas with unwavering effort to transform their artistic visions into reality.


With my personal preparation at the piano, I can afford to hum at half voice.

- Placido Domingo

Voice, Piano, Afford, Hum

When I was a young man, I was a baritone, very far from possessing the whole range of the tenor then.

- Placido Domingo

Young, Very, Range, Possessing

I have always studied my parts with the orchestral score and not with the piano reduction.

- Placido Domingo

Piano, Always, Score, Orchestral

I feel at home in an orchestral score.

- Placido Domingo

Feel, Score, I Feel, Orchestral

I then realized that I could never be satisfied again with the mere natural charm of my voice, that I had to constantly paint when singing, melting all the colors, expressing reds and blacks that had to be less primary but bursting with subtly colored combinations.

- Placido Domingo

Voice, Paint, Expressing, Bursting

But enough joking. I am singing. This is all my life.

- Placido Domingo

I Am, My Life, All My Life, Joking

I was married at 16, a father at 17 and divorced at 18.

- Placido Domingo

Father, Married, Divorced

This season, over eight productions, I am presenting four young tenors.

- Placido Domingo

I Am, Young, Over, Season

The atmosphere of the theater is my oxygen.

- Placido Domingo

Theater, Atmosphere, Oxygen

When a young artist is ready, one has to bring him into the limelight.

- Placido Domingo

Artist, Ready, Young, Limelight

If money was my only motivation, I would organize myself differently.

- Placido Domingo

Money, Differently, Would, Organize

Let us be clear: I take ten times more money for a concert than for an opera performance.

- Placido Domingo

Opera, More, Clear, Ten Times

When working with an orchestra, you never spend more than 20 minutes per recording session.

- Placido Domingo

More, Minutes, Session, Orchestra

When facing symphonic orchestras which have played some works five thousands times, you have nothing to do.

- Placido Domingo

Some, Which, Works, Orchestra

Between parts I was too old for and roles that were too overwhelming, out of reach then for my voice. I carved out a niche with the Wagnerian repertoire since I am attracted by its theatrical intensity.

- Placido Domingo

Voice, Old, Theatrical, Overwhelming

On the other hand, I have devoted so much energy to reach the top that I accept the stress of being there.

- Placido Domingo

Stress, Other, Devoted, Being There

The press regularly proclaims my ambitions and my financial demands.

- Placido Domingo

Financial, Press, Regularly, Demands

The public is a part of my real life.

- Placido Domingo

Real, Part, Public, Real Life

Young singers are much better educated musically, much better informed, through discs and videos, than I was.

- Placido Domingo

Through, Informed, Singers, Musically

We all have a destiny in accordance with the breadth of our shoulders. My shoulders are broad.

- Placido Domingo

Destiny, Shoulders, Breadth

The voice collects and translates your bad physical health, your emotional worries, your personal troubles.

- Placido Domingo

Voice, Bad, Worries, Troubles

Don't you think it astonishing that, at 58, I am still working at improving my career?

- Placido Domingo

Career, Think, Still, Improving

I will prove that a great conducting career is expecting me.

- Placido Domingo

Career, Prove, Expecting, Conducting

This circus games aspect has existed since the beginning of my career.

- Placido Domingo

Beginning, Career, Aspect, Since

I attended less than two years of Conservatory in Mexico City.

- Placido Domingo

Attended, Mexico City, Mexico

It is strange, but nobody is shocked when pop singers make a fortune in the space of two years.

- Placido Domingo

Fortune, Singers, Pop, Shocked

Should it happen tomorrow, I would fall to my knees to give thanks to God for such a career.

- Placido Domingo

Thankful, Give, Happen, Thanks

But I won't deprive myself of singing opera as long as my voice follows.

- Placido Domingo

Voice, Singing, Opera, Follows

I feel like a little boy who is constantly offered new toys.

- Placido Domingo

New, Toys, Like, Offered

The public made me and then encouraged me for many years, and my future even now depends upon it.

- Placido Domingo

Depends, Made, Then, Encouraged

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