0:00:21 > 0:00:25Welcome to a buzzing Royal Opera House in London for a unique event.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30Some of the world's finest opera stars to grace the world's stages,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34all gathered here under one roof tonight to honour Placido Domingo.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Tonight's line up couldn't really get any better.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40We have the tenors Rolando Villazon and Joseph Calleja,
0:00:40 > 0:00:42the great Wagnerian soprano Nina Stemme,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44the mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato
0:00:44 > 0:00:49and the very pick of the next generation of singing stars, too.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52They are all joined on stage by the orchestra of the Royal Opera House,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56conducted by their charismatic music director Antonio Pappano.
0:00:56 > 0:01:03Placido's legacy will be something to cherish
0:01:03 > 0:01:05in future years.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Because of its having encompassed
0:01:10 > 0:01:14so many different elements in the music business.
0:01:14 > 0:01:22From Otello to crossover, and from conducting to administration.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29As a leader of a major singing competition.
0:01:29 > 0:01:35As a nurturer of new talent, and important talent.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39As an ambassador for classical music all over the world.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44I mean, the list is just never ending, and I think...
0:01:46 > 0:01:47Wow, what an achievement.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52A sentiment surely shared by the sell out audience
0:01:52 > 0:01:53here at Covent Garden.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56And indeed, by opera lovers around the world.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00So, to get us off to a flying start, here is the tenor Rolando Villazon
0:02:00 > 0:02:04as the poet Hoffmann with The Ballad of Kleinzach.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42# Click-clack, click-clack
0:02:44 > 0:02:50# Behold, behold Kleinzach!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02CHORUS SING
0:03:17 > 0:03:20# Crick-clack, crick-clack, crick-clack
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- # Crick-clack- Crick-clack - Crick-clack
0:03:27 > 0:03:35# Behold, behold Kleinzach!
0:03:47 > 0:03:55# As for the features of that face
0:05:54 > 0:05:56AUDIENCE LAUGH
0:05:58 > 0:06:01# Kleinzach!
0:06:50 > 0:06:52# Flick-flack, flick-flack
0:06:52 > 0:06:55# Behold, behold Kleinzach!
0:06:55 > 0:07:01# Flick-flack, flick-flack, flick-flack
0:07:01 > 0:07:08# Behold, behold Kleinzach! #
0:07:12 > 0:07:15AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The Ballad of Kleinzach from Offenbach's Tales Of Hoffmann,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20sung by Rolando Villazon
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and the chorus of the Royal Opera with an unexpected contribution
0:07:23 > 0:07:27from Antonio Pappano, music director of the Royal Opera.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Next, L'Elisir d'Amore by Donizetti.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42We're going to hear a duet in which the peasant Nemorino
0:07:42 > 0:07:45has taken a draught of love potion.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Actually, it's only red wine.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50But his increasing indifference provokes the village beauty Adina
0:07:50 > 0:07:53to find him just a little more fascinating that she bargained for.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Joseph Calleja sings the part of Nemorino
0:07:56 > 0:08:01and he's joined by Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva who sings Adina.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21# La la la la la la la la
0:09:21 > 0:09:22HE HICCUPS
0:10:21 > 0:10:26# La la la la la la la la
0:10:33 > 0:10:39# La la la la la la la la
0:10:39 > 0:10:44# La la la la la
0:10:49 > 0:10:56# La la la la la la la la
0:10:56 > 0:11:03# La la la la la la la laaaaah
0:11:16 > 0:11:18SHE LAUGHS
0:11:38 > 0:11:46# Tomorrow she'll be in love with me
0:12:22 > 0:12:25THEY HARMONISE
0:12:43 > 0:12:46THEY SING TOGETHER
0:13:28 > 0:13:31THEY HARMONISE
0:13:31 > 0:13:39# Yes, tomorrow she will love me
0:13:50 > 0:13:52# La la la la la la
0:13:57 > 0:13:59# My lesson has succeeded
0:14:06 > 0:14:09# All that was so upsetting
0:14:09 > 0:14:11# I hope to be forgetting
0:14:33 > 0:14:38# My suffering will not make her laugh much longer
0:15:02 > 0:15:05THEY SING TOGETHER
0:15:11 > 0:15:16# Tomorrow will be different, tomorrow she'll love me
0:15:16 > 0:15:20# The more he tries to break away, the stronger love will be
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- # Tomorrow she will love me - The stronger love will be
0:15:24 > 0:15:31- # Tomorrow she will love me - The stronger love will be
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- # Tomorrow she will love me - The stronger love will be.- #
0:15:36 > 0:15:39AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:15:41 > 0:15:46Quanto Amore from Donizetti's comic opera L'Elisir d'Amore.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50The Elixir Of Love. Sung by Sonya Yoncheva and Joseph Calleja.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:15:57 > 0:16:02Next, Che Gelida Manina from Puccini's opera La Boheme.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It's mid-winter and the poverty-stricken poet Rodolfo,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07writing alone in his garret,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11is interrupted by the entrance of a young girl, Mimi.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Her beauty overwhelms him and in the moonlight their hands touch,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17he opens his heart.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Rodolfo is sung by the Romanian tenor Stefan Pop.
0:20:58 > 0:21:06# Please do. #
0:21:16 > 0:21:19AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:21:24 > 0:21:29Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme by Puccini. Performed by Stefan Pop.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Now, a soprano aria as brilliant as it is challenging.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Ah! Non Credea Mirarti from La Sonnambula by Bellini.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48In this scene, Amina mourns the lost love of her fiance Elvino.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Realising that her love for him is true,
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Elvino advances and places a ring on her finger, her joy is boundless.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Amina is sung by Julia Novikova.
0:23:10 > 0:23:18# You faded like the love that lasted a single day
0:23:33 > 0:23:40# You faded like the love that lasted a single day
0:23:54 > 0:24:01# You faded like the love that lasted a single day
0:25:03 > 0:25:11# You faded like the love that lasted a single day
0:25:18 > 0:25:24# You faded like the love that lasted a single day
0:25:25 > 0:25:31# You faded like the love that lasted a single day...
0:28:13 > 0:28:16THE CHORUS SING
0:28:30 > 0:28:32SHE HITS HIGH NOTE
0:29:11 > 0:29:18# We will make this place a paradise of love...
0:30:10 > 0:30:12THE CHORUS SINGS
0:30:18 > 0:30:20SHE HITS HIGH NOTE
0:30:37 > 0:30:40AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Ah! Non Credea Mirarti from La Sonnambula by Bellini.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49The Russian soprano Julia Novikova
0:30:49 > 0:30:51with the chorus of the Royal Opera House.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Not surprisingly, bringing the house down.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:31:04 > 0:31:08The showcase aria now from La Donna Del Lago by Donizetti.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Based on Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady Of The Lake.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15This demands a wide range and a very flexible voice.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Who better to perform it than the American mezzo soprano
0:31:18 > 0:31:19Joyce DiDonato?
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Tanti Affetti is sung by the heroine, Elena,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26who expresses her happiness and gratitude to the king
0:31:26 > 0:31:30who has given his blessing to her forthcoming marriage.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:33:30 > 0:33:38# You have restored my happiness
0:33:41 > 0:33:49# You have restored my happiness
0:34:00 > 0:34:08# You have restored my happiness
0:34:15 > 0:34:21# You have...
0:34:21 > 0:34:24# Restored...
0:34:36 > 0:34:42# My...
0:35:02 > 0:35:08# Happiness
0:35:29 > 0:35:36# Now you can live in happiness
0:35:36 > 0:35:44# Now you can live in happiness
0:35:44 > 0:35:51# Now you can live in happiness
0:35:56 > 0:35:59# Now you can live in happiness
0:37:11 > 0:37:14# Fate's cruelty
0:37:14 > 0:37:19# Between my father and my lover
0:37:19 > 0:37:27# Oh, what a blessed time...
0:37:38 > 0:37:43# Ah, who could have hoped
0:37:43 > 0:37:46# Ah, who could have hoped
0:37:46 > 0:37:53# For such happiness
0:37:54 > 0:37:58# Now you can live in happiness
0:37:58 > 0:38:02# Now you can live in happiness
0:38:02 > 0:38:04# In happiness
0:38:04 > 0:38:06# In happiness
0:38:06 > 0:38:09# In happiness
0:38:09 > 0:38:12# Between my father and my lover
0:38:12 > 0:38:16# Oh, what a blessed time
0:38:33 > 0:38:37# Ah, who could have hoped
0:38:37 > 0:38:41# Ah, who could have hoped
0:38:41 > 0:38:47# For such happiness
0:38:47 > 0:38:48# Happiness
0:38:48 > 0:38:52# Between my father and my lover
0:38:52 > 0:38:55# Oh, what a blessed time
0:38:55 > 0:38:59# Ah, who could have hoped
0:38:59 > 0:39:03# For such happiness
0:39:03 > 0:39:09# Between my father and my lover
0:39:09 > 0:39:13# Oh, what a blessed time
0:39:13 > 0:39:15# Ah, who could have hoped
0:39:15 > 0:39:17# For such happiness
0:39:17 > 0:39:22# Now you can live in happiness
0:39:22 > 0:39:28# Now you can live in happiness
0:39:28 > 0:39:34# Now you can live in happiness
0:39:34 > 0:39:36# Happiness
0:39:36 > 0:39:38# Happiness
0:39:38 > 0:39:44# Happiness. #
0:39:59 > 0:40:01AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Tanti Affeti from Donizetti's opera La Donna Del Lago,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11sung by Joyce DiDonato.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16AUDIENCE CHEER
0:40:21 > 0:40:24And now one of opera's all time hits,
0:40:24 > 0:40:26The Pearl Fishers' Duet by Bizet.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Set in ancient Ceylon,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31two friends reminisce about a beautiful girl with whom they
0:40:31 > 0:40:35were both in love, but renounced so as to remain loyal to each other.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Here is the great man himself, Placido Domingo,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41joined by Joseph Calleja.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44AUDIENCE APPLAUD
0:41:20 > 0:41:24# I can still see her
0:44:44 > 0:44:46# No, nothing
0:44:46 > 0:44:48# Nothing must part us
0:44:48 > 0:44:51# No, nothing
0:44:52 > 0:44:55# Let us swear to be friends
0:44:55 > 0:44:59# Let us swear to be friends
0:45:26 > 0:45:33# I shall cherish you as a brother
0:46:01 > 0:46:03AUDIENCE CHEER AND APPLAUD
0:46:07 > 0:46:10CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:46:10 > 0:46:15Au Fond Du Temple Saint by Bizet, from his opera The Pearl Fishers.
0:46:15 > 0:46:19Joseph Calleja with Placido Domingo, there, singing the baritone parts.
0:46:19 > 0:46:25Antonio Pappano conducted the orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58It is remarkable that even now, aged 71,
0:46:58 > 0:47:03Placido Domingo's energy and zeal for everything associated with Opera
0:47:03 > 0:47:05remains undimmed.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08Let's take a moment to hear from some of tonight's stars
0:47:08 > 0:47:10on what this truly great artist means to them.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16Well, there's only one Placido Domingo
0:47:16 > 0:47:19and I honestly don't know any other singer in history
0:47:19 > 0:47:22that have managed that kind of schedule,
0:47:22 > 0:47:26that kind of hectic life without...
0:47:26 > 0:47:28diminishing the, the...
0:47:28 > 0:47:31quality of the output.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34I think that, by that alone, and, of course,
0:47:34 > 0:47:37the fact that he sang a gazillion different roles, is extraordinary.
0:47:37 > 0:47:42Placido stands for a very holistic
0:47:42 > 0:47:47and almost a divine concept where acting and musicality,
0:47:47 > 0:47:52singing beautifully and, I mean, in Placido's case, he even conducts.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54It's the music, it's the...
0:47:54 > 0:48:01visual thing, it's everything in one beautiful entity, so to say.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04It's, it's fantastic. I...
0:48:04 > 0:48:09I'm not sure we will have anyone like him ever again.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12Placido has created this legacy
0:48:12 > 0:48:18of defining what our generation of singers is and what we are about.
0:48:18 > 0:48:23And I think we all, knowing that we carry the title of a competition
0:48:23 > 0:48:28with his name on it, I think we know that we need to be committed artists
0:48:28 > 0:48:31and we need to be committed performers to the public.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35We watch him giving back to us, as young artists, and we think,
0:48:35 > 0:48:38"OK, not only are we, hopefully, lucky enough to have a career
0:48:38 > 0:48:41"but there's also an afterlife to that.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44"We need to make sure that we're bringing along the next
0:48:44 > 0:48:46"generation behind us, and the next generation."
0:48:46 > 0:48:50This isn't just a gift that is given to you, that you get to shine in the
0:48:50 > 0:48:54spotlight, but there's also a sense of civic duty that follows as well.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57He has certainly blazed that path.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00We all, my generation of singers,
0:49:00 > 0:49:04are a consequence of this incredible artist.
0:49:04 > 0:49:09We have learnt from his way of performing, just as he is,
0:49:09 > 0:49:15obviously, the consequence of a great history that, you know,
0:49:15 > 0:49:18has Caruso, has Di Stefano, has Maria Callas in it
0:49:18 > 0:49:23but, to me, he really is the great example
0:49:23 > 0:49:27of the complete opera artist.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31So, on with the gala, here at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35Next, Nina Stemme ecstatically in love
0:49:35 > 0:49:38in Richard Wagner's opera Tannhauser.
0:51:54 > 0:52:00# Wie jetzt mein Busen hoch sich hebet
0:52:00 > 0:52:04# So scheinst du jetzt mir stolz und hehr
0:52:04 > 0:52:12# Der mich und dich so neu belebet Nicht weilt er ferne mehr!
0:52:32 > 0:52:35# Sei mir gegrusst!
0:52:35 > 0:52:38# Sei mir gegrusst!
0:52:38 > 0:52:43# Du, teure halle
0:52:43 > 0:52:50# Sei mir gegrusst! #
0:53:03 > 0:53:06CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:53:11 > 0:53:16Dich, Teure Halle from Tannhauser by Richard Wagner.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25Now an aria that needs no introduction -
0:53:25 > 0:53:29just think carefree duke, his roguish take on the fairer sex
0:53:29 > 0:53:33and one of the most catchy tunes ever written.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Here again is the tenor Stefan Pop.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16# La donna e mobile
0:54:16 > 0:54:19# Qual piuma al vento
0:54:19 > 0:54:26# Muta d'accento
0:54:26 > 0:54:28# E di pensiero
0:54:31 > 0:54:34# E di pensiero
0:54:34 > 0:54:41# E di pensiero
0:55:14 > 0:55:17# La donna e mobile
0:55:17 > 0:55:20# Qual piuma al vento
0:55:20 > 0:55:26# Muta d'accento
0:55:26 > 0:55:29# E di pensiero
0:55:32 > 0:55:34# E di pensiero
0:55:37 > 0:55:52# E di pensiero. #
0:55:52 > 0:55:56CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:55:58 > 0:56:03That was Verdi's famous aria La Donna e Mobile from Rigoletto.
0:56:03 > 0:56:08Stefan Pop, a new kid on the block and surely one to watch out for.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17The composer Puccini was a master of nostalgia,
0:56:17 > 0:56:19never more so than in this next duet,
0:56:19 > 0:56:22which opens this last act of La Boheme.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24Marcello, sung by Placido Domingo,
0:56:24 > 0:56:28and Rodolfo, by Rolando Villazon, are unable to work.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31They are haunted by memories of happiness
0:56:31 > 0:56:33and yearn for their girlfriends to return.
0:58:50 > 0:58:53THEY SING WITH EACH OTHER
1:01:14 > 1:01:19The duet O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni from La Boheme by Puccini.
1:01:26 > 1:01:31An aria, now, from Andrea Chenier by Giordano, Nemico Della Patria.
1:05:30 > 1:05:35# E in un sol bacio e abbraccio
1:05:35 > 1:05:46# Tutte le genti amar! #
1:05:46 > 1:05:50CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
1:05:58 > 1:06:02Nemico Della Patria from Andrea Chenier by Giordano,
1:06:02 > 1:06:05sung by the inimitable Placido Domingo.
1:06:16 > 1:06:18Now another showcase aria -
1:06:18 > 1:06:21Depuis le jour from Charpentier's opera, Louise.
1:06:21 > 1:06:24Our heroine has returned to the Paris she adores
1:06:24 > 1:06:26and into the arms of her lover.
1:06:26 > 1:06:28She sings of the joys of being together
1:06:28 > 1:06:32and the realisation this love is not merely a dream.
1:06:32 > 1:06:35Here again is Sonya Yoncheva.
1:06:35 > 1:06:37APPLAUSE
1:10:48 > 1:10:53# Ah!
1:10:53 > 1:11:00# Je suis heureuse...
1:11:06 > 1:11:14# Trop heureuse
1:11:14 > 1:11:21# Et je tremble delicieusement...
1:11:29 > 1:11:35# Au souvenir charmant
1:11:43 > 1:11:50# Du premier jour
1:11:50 > 1:12:00# D'amour! #
1:12:02 > 1:12:06APPLAUSE
1:12:20 > 1:12:23Depuis le jour from Charpentier's opera, Louise.
1:12:23 > 1:12:26performed by Sonya Yoncheva.
1:12:26 > 1:12:29Well, no gala would be complete without this next piece.
1:12:29 > 1:12:32Surely the most recognisable of all opera arias,
1:12:32 > 1:12:36Nessun Dorma from Puccini's opera, Turandot.
1:12:36 > 1:12:40It is night and the people of Peking are hunting down Prince Calaf.
1:12:40 > 1:12:43Meanwhile, he dreams of thawing the Princess Turandot's icy heart
1:12:43 > 1:12:45and claiming a kiss.
1:12:45 > 1:12:47Joseph Calleja sings the part of Calaf.
1:15:40 > 1:15:43# Vincero
1:15:44 > 1:15:51# Vincero... #
1:16:09 > 1:16:11APPLAUSE
1:16:14 > 1:16:16I must say, that never fails.
1:16:16 > 1:16:18Nessun Dorma from Turandot by Puccini,
1:16:18 > 1:16:21sung quite magnificently by Joseph Calleja,
1:16:21 > 1:16:24along with the chorus of the Royal Opera House.
1:16:26 > 1:16:29More Verdi now, and the Act II duet from Rigoletto,
1:16:29 > 1:16:33sung by Julia Novikova and Placido Domingo.
1:16:33 > 1:16:38Here, Gilda opens heart to her father, the court jester, Rigoletto,
1:16:38 > 1:16:41and she confides how the charlatan Duke has dishonoured her,
1:16:41 > 1:16:43but begs her father nevertheless to forgive him.
1:16:43 > 1:16:46Rigoletto, though, swears vengeance.
1:18:31 > 1:18:39# Il cor parlo
1:20:54 > 1:21:01# Tutto ora scompare l'altare si rovescio
1:21:01 > 1:21:05# Ah
1:21:42 > 1:21:46# Piangi
1:21:46 > 1:21:58# Piangi fanciulla piangi
1:21:58 > 1:22:02# Scorrer
1:22:02 > 1:22:12# Scorrer fa il pianto sul mio cor
1:22:12 > 1:22:21# Piangi, fanciulla piangi
1:22:21 > 1:22:28# Compiuto pur quanto a fare mi resta
1:22:30 > 1:22:39# Piangi, fanciulla piangi
1:22:39 > 1:22:47# Scorrer fa il pianto sul mio cor
1:22:47 > 1:22:52# Piangi, fanciulla...
1:23:40 > 1:23:42APPLAUSE
1:26:04 > 1:26:09# Come fulmin scagliato da Dio
1:26:09 > 1:26:16# Te colpire il buffone sapra
1:26:16 > 1:26:23# Mi tradiva, pur l'amo, gran Dio!
1:26:23 > 1:26:31# Per l'ingrato ti chiedo pieta!
1:26:31 > 1:26:36# Ah!
1:26:47 > 1:26:49APPLAUSE
1:27:00 > 1:27:04Julia Novikova as Gilda and Placido Domingo as Rigoletto,
1:27:04 > 1:27:08joined by Jihoon Kim as the Count Monterone
1:27:08 > 1:27:11and Nigel Cliffe as the Usher.
1:27:24 > 1:27:28And Placido Domingo joined now by this most remarkable line-up
1:27:28 > 1:27:31of opera stars.
1:27:31 > 1:27:34Just how often do they all get to share the same stage?
1:27:37 > 1:27:41And the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House,
1:27:41 > 1:27:44conducted by their music director, Antonio Pappano.
1:27:55 > 1:28:00And the chorus director, Renato Balsadonna.
1:28:00 > 1:28:05All here to honour one of the world's greatest living artists,
1:28:05 > 1:28:07Placido Domingo.
1:28:07 > 1:28:09But sadly that is all we have time for.
1:28:09 > 1:28:12So, from me, Katie Derham, goodbye.
1:28:23 > 1:28:27Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing by Red Bee Media Ltd