For the sixth time in his legendary career, Placido Domingo will perform before a FIFA World Cup Final. The performance will also act as the longtime soccer fan’s first show in Rio de Janeiro in 19 years.
Domingo will be the headlining performer on July 11 at the HSBC Arena. According to his site, the other featured acts during the night are Chinese pianist Lang Lang and soprano Ana Maria Martinez. They will perform with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, conducted by Eugene Kohn.
As the Hollywood Reporter points out, Domingo has gone to every FIFA World Cup Final since 1970, although he missed 1978 in Argentina. When his native Spain hosted the tournament in 1982, he performed the theme song “El Mundial.”
The 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg, South Africa also didn’t get a Domingo performance, but he was still there to cheer Spain and celebrated with the players after the beat the Netherlands. At the time, Domingo was performing Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra in London.
Domingo has not performed in Rio since 1995. He has promised to perform pieces of opera and will mix genres from around the world. Lang Lang is set to mix classical and popular music during his performance.
image courtesy of Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com