placido domingo

Washington's Opera Ball To Be Hosted By Chinese Embassy

The Washington National Opera has announced that next year's Opera Ball which is scheduled for May 7, 2011 will be held for the first time at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China under the patronage of Ambassador Zhang Yesui and Madame Chen Naiqing. The Opera Ball will be chaired by Susan E. Lehrman, the Washington philanthropist who has also chaired the Opera Ball at France (2008), Germany (2009) and Russia (2010).

The black-tie event begins with a series of dinners hosted by embassies throughout the city, followed by entertainment, dancing and desserts at the Chinese chancery. The ball is the Washington National Opera's most significant annual fundraiser. Opera Ball packages (embassy dinner and Ball) start at $1,000 per guest, and sponsorship packages start at $5,000.

Tags: china, chinese embassy, fundraiser, Placido Domingo, washington dc, washington national opera

Placido Domingo To Front Mexican Tourism Campaign

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The push to bring tourism back to Mexico is gaining momentum. A few weeks ago we wrote about the swine flu guarantee being offered by some resorts. But now the government is getting involved with a $90 million campaign to tempt tourists back to Mexico in the wake of the flu outbreak. The ad campaign will include opera singer Placido Domingo, champion golfer Lorena Ochoa and other Mexican celebrities. The AP reports that President Felipe Calderon has said Mexico will also invite international celebrities for visits.

In terms of traveling well at a discount there has perhaps never been a better time to visit Mexico. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece on Mexico's travel deals. Luxury hotels including the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun and the Four Seasons Punta Mita are offering special packages with reduced rates or free nights. Flights to Mexico are also priced lower. Beaches, archaeological attractions, museums and restaurants are less crowded because of the flu scare which has claimed around 83 lives in Mexico.

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Tags: ad campaign, AdCampaign, mexico, placido domingo, PlacidoDomingo

More Tough Times For Opera: Ring Cycle Deemed Too Expensive

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events

It's a tough time to be an opera company. I recently mentioned the closing of Opera Pacific in California's Orange County, now the Washington Post reports that the Washington National Opera has postponed its performances of Wagner's "Ring" cycle until the economic climate improves. Famed opera singer Plácido Domingo, the company's general director, released a statement announcing that the decision was motivated by "the dramatic changes in the nation's economy." The Ring cycle consists of four long operas and was to be a highlight of the 2009-10 season. The cost of showing the four different operas on four consecutive nights often keeps companies away from performing Wagner's mighty work. Often opera companies put on one of the operas per season before doing the whole cycle. The Washington National Opera has already put on the first two and the third was postponed for a year due to budget cuts and will debut in May 2009. The final opera, "Götterdämmerung" will be offered in two performances with sets or costumes which should help the opera company save between $5 million and $6 million.

The Washington Post article revealed that some other arts organizations in the area are also considering trimming back their schedules. Others are trying to cut expenses at the same time they are also cutting ticket prices to lure in customers. Arts organizations in general get much of their attendance and donations from the older generations, the same people who might now be too worried about their retirement funds to support the arts.

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Tags: opera, placido domingo, PlacidoDomingo, ring cycle, RingCycle, wagner