DOMINGO, PLCIDO

born Jan. 21, 1941, Madrid Spanish-born operatic tenor whose resonant, powerful voice, imposing physical stature, good looks, and dramatic ability made him one of the most popular tenors of the second half of the 20th century. Domingo's parents were noted performers in zarzuela, a form of Spanish light opera. He grew up in Mexico, where he studied piano at the National Conservatory of Music. In 1961 he made his operatic debut in Mexico City and then went to Dallas, Texas, to perform in its opera company. From 1962 to 1965 he was a resident performer at Tel Aviv's Hebrew National Opera. He made his debut at the New York City Opera in 1965, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in 1968 (subsequently becoming a regular performer there), and at La Scala in Milan in 1969. A prolific and versatile performer, Domingo made numerous recordings and several film versions of operas, and he ventured into popular music as well. His autobiography, My First Forty Years, was published in 1983.