Plácido Domingo Announces Creation of Young Artist Program

Los Angeles Opera General Director Plácido Domingo announced the creation of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program at the 20th Anniversary Season Gala Sept. 11. The program will be launched to coincide with L.A. Opera’s 2006/2007 season.

Named in recognition of a $2 million gift from the Flora L. Thornton Foundation, which will enable the program to continue long after its establishment, the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program has the goal of developing the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature, whose first loyalty would be to L.A. Opera.

“In recalling the challenges of providing for my family while bearing the costs of music and voice lessons during my early career, I know only too well the importance of special support for full-time study and the freedom to take advantage of performing opportunities,” said Domingo, whose world renowned Operalia competition has helped hundreds of young singers achieve careers in opera. “L.A. Opera’s new Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program will be instrumental in building a vital new generation of artists and will help ensure the highest standards of performance not only at L.A. Opera, but at opera companies throughout the world.”

“Identifying and encouraging talented young artists with enormous potential is essential to the future of opera,” said Thornton.

Building on the success of the company’s Resident Artist Program, the new Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program will feature eight to 10 singers, a conductor and a stage director, all under the age of 30. An annual recital series is planned to showcase participants For more information on the Young Artist Program, call 213-972-7219.