World-renowned opera star Plácido Domingo returns to Chapman University’s Marybelle and Sebastian P.
Musco Center for the Arts
to receive an Honorary Doctor of Arts in a special hooding ceremony. All are welcome for a special afternoon of both academic ritual and song as Chapman University honors friend and artistic advisor Plácido Domingo, and celebrates the Musco Center for the Art’s successful First Year.
Paul Musco, Plácido Domingo and Daniele Struppa at the Musco Center Grand Opening Gala
Taking place on March 28, the ceremony—normally reserved for academic commencements—comes one year, almost to the date, of Domingo opening Musco Center for the Arts with his signature voice. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., the event features the presentation of an Honorary Doctor of Arts to Plácido Domingo, three songs sung by Chapman opera students and alumni, an onstage unveiling of the bust of Plácido Domingo, a short video presentation of still photographs from the Musco Center for the Arts opening night, and several short speeches to recognize the first anniversary of Musco Center. Afterwards, guests can enjoy birthday cake on the Bette and Wylie Aitken Arts Plaza.
“This special occasion celebrates the creative pieces of Chapman University by combining a traditional academic ceremony with artistic performances on a beautiful performing arts stage,” said
Daniele Struppa
, Ph.D., president, Chapman University. “The career of Plácido Domingo has been nothing short of phenomenal and we are honored to confer this degree upon such a great talent and friend.”
José Plácido Domingo Embil, better known as Plácido Domingo, is a world-renowned, multifaceted artist. Recognized as one of the finest and most influential singing actors in the history of opera, he is also a conductor and a major force as an opera administrator in his role as Eli and Edyth Broad General Director of LA Opera. His repertoire now encompasses 147 roles – a number unmatched by any other tenor in history – with nearly 3,700 career performances. His more than 100 recordings of complete operas, compilations of arias and duets, and crossover discs have earned him 12 Grammy Awards.
Plácido Domingo singing on stage at the Musco Center’s opening night
“Plácido Domingo is one of the top ten creative people on the planet in the last 100 years,” said
Richard Bryant
, executive director of the Musco Center for the Arts. “Having Maestro Domingo christen our brand new Musco Center for the Arts one year ago, and then return now to receive an honorary degree demonstrates Chapman’s commitment to the arts at the finest levels.”
The event will also honor Domingo with one of Chapman’s signature busts. From poets to presidents, singers to statesmen, the gallery of bronze busts on the Chapman University campus recognizes an impressive array of historical figures. Domingo’s bust is a gift from Robert Day, the founder of Trust Company of The West, and also a long-time friend of Maestro Domingo.
Tickets to this event are complimentary and include parking and shuttle service. However, reservations are strongly encouraged. Please reserve your space by calling 844-626-8726 or online at muscocenter.org.
To see a short clip of the Musco Center’s grand opening light show in March 2016, visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi2cgiP8Xmw
About the Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Performing Arts
Since its Grand Opening in March 2016, Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University has taken its place among the nation’s top university arts education and performance venues, offering students and distinguished faculty the opportunity to achieve the highest standard of arts-related education through hands-on, real-world production and performance experience. At Musco Center, the Chapman campus audience and surrounding community enjoy large-scale opera and theatre productions, touring dance companies, symphonies, chamber performances, jazz concerts, popular music and much more. For more information about Musco Center and its upcoming events, visit
www.muscocenter.org
.
About Chapman University
As an academically distinguished center of learning, Chapman University attracts extraordinary students and faculty from around the globe. Its ten schools and colleges foster a vibrant intellectual community, and provide extensive opportunities for students to learn, grow and discover alongside remarkable faculty. The University is home to some 8,000 students pursuing bachelor, master and doctoral degrees, and is alma mater to more than 40,000 alumni found throughout the United States and the world. Now celebrating its 156
th
year, Chapman is known for its distinguishing strengths in leadership and civic engagement, in the arts and entertainment disciplines, and in specialized sectors of technology and science. The University is comprised of its main campus in Orange, California, and the Rinker Health Science Campus for graduate health science programs in Irvine, California. Visit us at
www.chapman.edu
.
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