When Plácido Domingo took the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion on Saturday night, he was taking on his 140th role but it was his first time playing Venetian ruler Francesco Foscari. The production was The Two Foscari, a Verdi opera so obscure it was last staged in the United States 40 years ago. In fact, when it debuted in 1844, it enraged Venice’s aristocrats who didn’t care for the way they were portrayed. Fortunately, Domingo got a much warmer reception from L.A. audiences this weekend. In this photo gallery, we take a look at the 71-year-old singer's storied career, much of which is enmeshed with the L.A Opera. (The Two Foscari runs through Oct. 9.)
Domingo as the title character in “Othello,” 1986
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo as Cavaradossi in “Tosca” with Maria Ewing, 1989
Photograph by Fred Ohringer
Domingo as the title character in “Don Carlo,” 1990
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo in “Carmen,” 1992
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo as the title character in “Stiffelio,” 1995
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo as Canio in “Pagliacci,” 1996
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo as Gustavo III in “Un Ballo in Maschera,” 1993
Photograph by Robert Cahen
Domingo as Count Loris in “Fedora,” 1997
Photograph by Ken Howard
Domingo as Siegmund in “Die Walkure,” 2009
Photograph by Monika Rittershaus
Domingo as the title character in “Simon Boccanegra,” 2012
Photograph by Robert Millard