Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo has signed an exclusive recording contract with Sony Classical, the label has announced.
Domingo, one of the most influential singing actors in opera, recorded music for CBS (which was purchased by Sony in the late 1980s) in the late 1960s, according to a representative to the singer.
“Sony and its predecessors (Columbia, CBS, RCA/BMG) have played such an important part in much of my career, yet I have not had an exclusive contract with any company in nearly 40 years,” Domingo said in a statement. “This steady relationship will enable Sony Classical and myself to create a variety of new, innovative, and fascinating musical projects.”
Domingo’s work has earned him 12 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammys, according to Sony. Additionally, he has recorded more than 100 operas, compilations of arias and duets and more than 50 music videos.
The singer is also an opera administrator as the general director of the Los Angeles Opera and has also led the Washington National Opera for 15 years. On Sept. 23, PBS’ “Great Performances” will showcase his career highlights in “Plácido Domingo: My Favorite Roles.”
Domingo has performed everything from zarzuela to Broadway musicals. In opera, he has appeared in 137 roles, more than any other tenor in opera history with a total of 3500 performances.
Other career milestones include his “Three Tenors” concerts with Luciano Pavorotti and José Carreras at three World Cup Finals that were seen around the world. He also performed at the conclusion of the 2006 World Cup in Berlin and at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Domingo has worked on three feature opera films including “Carmen,” “La Traviata” and “Otello.” Additionally, he was the voice of Monte in Disney’s “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” played himself on “The Simpsons” and his performance in “Tosca” from Rome aired in 117 countries, according to Sony.
Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, says that the partnership with Domingo is key to the genre’s growth. “The addition of one of the world’s most beloved and successful vocalists to the Sony Classical roster underscores our continuing commitment to building our classical music business.”
In May, Domingo received an honorary doctorate music degree from Harvard University and that same month the tenor celebrated his 50th anniversary for his work on stages around the world. He performed in “La Traviata” in the Mexican city of Monterrey in 1961.
Last year in November, Domingo was honored as the Latin Grammy person of the year for his cultural and philanthropic accomplishments.