Placido Domingo Through The Years

Placido Domingo, seen ouside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2006, has been singing on its stage for four decades. As a tenor, conductor, visionary, fundraiser, celebrity draw and general director of Los Angeles Opera, he is the city’s leading force in the art. The following photographs chronicle his more than 40 productive years in Los Angeles. (GARY FRIEDMAN / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Sept. 16, 2014 3:59 AM PT

Tenor Placido Domingo sings with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1980 as Carlo Maria Giulini conducts in the background. (GARY FRIEDMAN / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

The Three Tenors, Placido Domingo, left, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, sang at Dodger Stadium in 1994. (ROBERT GAUTHIER / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

In 1993, Marta Domingo, left, who staged “Rigoletto” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion’s Grand Hall, and husband Placido Domingo, who conducted, talk with Tara Colburn, who chaired the opening benefit. (TONYA EVATT / FOR THE TIMES)

Peter Hemmings, left, acknowledged Placido Domingo during the Peter Hemmings Celebration Concert in 2000 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. The gala concert was held to honor founding general director Peter Hemming’s retirement from his service at the Los Angeles Opera. (JUANITO HOLANDEZ / FOR THE TIMES)

Placido Domingo, left, Jennifer Larmore and conductor John Williams acknowledged the audience after a song at the Welcome Concert and Gala honoring Placido Domingo at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2001. (LORI SHEPLER / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo addressed the attendees of the Los Angeles Opera’s Gala Opening Night Benefit at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2001. (CARLOS CHAVEZ / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo in “A Night of Zarzuela & Operetta With Placido Domingo and Friends” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in 2002. (LAWRENCE HO / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo during the curtain call at the end of “Queen of Spades” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2001. (CARLOS CHAVEZ / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Renee Fleming and Placido Domingo performed “Gia nella notte” from “Otello” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2003. (KEN HIVELY / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo in the title role of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2004. (RINGO CHIU / FOR THE TIMES)

Placido Domingo in Act 2 of Wagner’s “Parsifal” in 2005. (PERRY RIDDLE / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo as Otello and Patricia Racette as Desdemona in Act 4 of “Otello” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2006. (GINA FERAZZI / LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Placido Domingo outside his dressing room at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2006, preparing to conduct the Los Angeles Opera production of “Manon.” (GARY FRIEDMAN / LOS ANGELES TIMES)