Placido Domingo to leave Washington National Opera

[September 28, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Placido Domingo says he will leave the Washington National Opera when his contract expires next year.

The famed 69-year-old Spanish tenor announced his plans Monday. He has been artistic director of the Washington National Opera since 1996 and general director since 2003. He holds the same title with the Los Angeles Opera.

In a letter to the opera's board obtained by The Washington Post, Domingo writes that it's time for the company to go in a new direction. He raises the possibility of a merger with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The opera has struggled financially in recent years as a stand-alone company.

Domingo pledged to help with any transition. He brought more big productions and international stars to Washington as the opera's director.

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Online:

Washington National Opera
 http://www.dc-opera.org/

Placido Domingo:
http://www.placidodomingo.com/

[Associated Press]

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