Placido Domingo's son says his dad has 'recuperated favorably'

Placido Domingo’s son says his dad has ‘recuperated favorably’

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Above: A 2008 dress rehearsal of “Tristan and Isolde” by LA Opera with John Treleaven, right, as Tristan and Linda Wilson as Isolde in Act 3.

Designed by David Hockney, the colorful staging of Wagner’s masterpiece became a signature production of the young company. Other memorable productions created by the company include this season’s “Il Foscari”; “Grendel,” directed by Julie Taymor; and Herbert Ross’ traditional “La Boheme.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Appointed in 2003 as the company’s first music director, Nagano brought a consistent orchestral excellence to the company. He left L.A. Opera in 2006 and was succeeded by James Conlon, who has led the Paris National Opera among other European companies and who continues as music director. (Johannes Simon / Getty Images)

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The company staged its first-ever production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle operas starting in 2009. The productions, directed by Achim Freyer, came with a price tag of $31 million and proved to be critically divisive and controversial. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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In 2009, L.A. Opera received an emergency loan of $14 million from the county to address financial difficulties that stemmed from the weak economy and the expensive “Ring” cycle production. L.A. Opera repaid the loan in full in December 2012. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles Opera announced in June 2013 it would be $7 million richer thanks to a new gift from billionaire Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe.

The gift, being made through the couple’s charitable organization, the Broad Foundation, represents the largest sum they have given to L.A. Opera. ( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

By Reed Johnson

July 16, 2013 10:15 AM PT

Placido Domingo, the superstar Spanish tenor and conductor who also serves as L.A. Opera’s general director, has “recuperated favorably,” after spending nearly a week in a Madrid hospital to be treated for a pulmonary embolism, his son Álvaro Domingo said in an interview posted Monday on a Colombian radio station’s website.

The elder Domingo is expected to make a full recovery. A day after his Saturday release from the hospital, he attended a dress rehearsal of Daniel Catan’s opera “Il Postino” at Madrid’s Teatro Real. He was scheduled to perform in the production but was obliged to cancel his appearance.

PHOTOS: Arts and culture in pictures by The Times

Speaking in Spanish from Madrid, Álvaro Domingo expressed gratitude that his father had received prompt medical care and praised the doctors who had attended to him. His father was “at home” in Madrid and “tranquil,” he added.

Asked if this was the first time his father (whom he described as a “healthy, strong” man) had experienced any medical problem such as this, he replied, “Definitely, it was the first. We hope it is the last.” He closed the interview by thanking the world for the affection it had shown toward his father at a “difficult time.”

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Placido Domingo in high spirits after release from hospital

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