Among the tenors of the world，he towers above the rest in singing techniques，acting ability and emotional expressions: justifiably，Plácido Domingo is called "The King of Opera." Yet，while he has toured the world as a singer，he has also been conducting opera and working as the General Director of the Los Angeles Opera.
   Domingo was born in Spain and moved to Mexico when he was eight. His parents were zarzuela performers – performers in the national music theater of Spain – and he appeared on stage with in their zarzuela's company as a child actor. He is thankful for his childhood experiences，saying，"I owe much to zarzuela and my parents." Later he entered Mexico City's Conservatory of Music where he initially studied piano and conducting but was encouraged to focus on singing，once his vocal talents were recognized.
   He began his international career in Israel and after several seasons moved to the New York City Opera and made the USA his home. Though young，within a relatively short time，he became internationally renowned，performing to much acclaim in the major opera houses of the world such as the Vienna State Opera，the Metropolitan Opera，La Scala，and the Royal Opera House.
   In 1990，on the eve of the World Cup Final in Rome，Domingo joined with José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti to create The Three Tenors. Their concerts contributed enormously to expansion of opera fans globally; demystifying and popularizing an art form that many had considered inaccessible.
   On stage he has performed an amazing 150 different roles – a considerable feat for any musical actor. Yet，he keeps studying，saying，"I feel like I'm still a student. I always feel that I have to carry sheets of music with me，so I can keep on practicing." Even when he experiences ill health，he says，"I can stand any hardship because I have surging passion. I do not mind traveling on planes. As long as I can sleep well and have a good rest，I can sing."
   In addition to his work as actor，singer and conductor，Domingo also works enthusiastically to help the next generation fulfill their potential. He founded Operalia in 1993，an annual international opera competition，that has helped start the careers of many young singers，such as Erwin Schrott and Rolando Villazón.
   Domingo had been greatly affected by the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City and when he toured Japan in April 2011，just after the Great East Japan Earthquake，he sang a song in Japanese，Furusato (Home): moving and impressing an emotional audience. He said that by doing so，he wanted to express his condolences to the Japanese victims.
   At 72，he still has a young sounding and beautiful voice and has further extended his range by including baritone roles into his repertoire recently. In October he will be on stage in Japan，and he will not only be performing as an opera singer but he will also be acting as a cultural ambassador for his native Spain; celebrating 400 years of Japan/Spain relationships.