Placido Domingo Named Ambassador

Washington, DC, July 14, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Washington National Opera General Director Placido Domingo has been awarded the first Washington, D.C. Ambassador to the Arts award from Guide for the Arts, honoring his efforts directing the WNO’s critically acclaimed performances, as well as his work recognizing and supporting emerging artists through a variety of unique programs. These programs include his Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, which was recently highlighted in a “60 Minutes” segment, and his well-respected Operalia competitions, which have awarded emerging artists annual prizes of nearly $200,000 to further their international careers. “I am touched and honored to receive the Ambassador award,” Maestro Domingo said, “and I feel that I am accepting it not only for myself but also on behalf of all my collaborators at WNO, the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, and Operalia. The award recognizes the usefulness of the support that we give to emerging artists here in Washington and around the world, and it encourages me to continue working hard to provide the best possible help to the people who represent the future of our art.”

Maestro Domingo becomes the first Washington, D.C. Ambassador recipient, which is sponsored by Guide for the Arts, a groundbreaking publication for patrons, benefactors, artists and administrators. Guide for the Arts established the Ambassador Award program in 2001 in Boston, and has since honored such luminaries as composer John Williams, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and the Institute of Contemporary Art’s director Jill Medvedow. “It is an honor for us to be able to present the 2009-2010 Ambassador of the Arts award to Maestro Domingo,” says publisher and founder Kevin T. Wood. “For decades Maestro Domingo has set the standard for opera singers around the world. And in addition to being one of the greatest artists alive, he has helped hundreds of talented singers to reach for their career goals with his innovative programs like Operalia and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Guide for the Arts is delighted to be part of his important programs.”

The Ambassador Award, a unique sculpture created by Bennett Awards , will be presented during the WNO’s 2009–2010 season, which opens on Sept. 12 with a performance of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” In-kind support from the Guide for Maestro Domingo’s young artists programs will also be announced at that time. For further information about Guide for the Arts, visit ww.guideforthearts.com.

About Guide for the Arts
A must-have publication for serious arts patrons, Guide for the Arts is the only comprehensive source for complete arts schedules, special events, box office listings and performance hall information. Guide for the Arts is distributed exclusively to patrons, benefactors, artists and corporate sponsors. With complete listings for theatres, museums, dance and music organizations, the Guide has a readership of more than 150,000 annually. Instep Communications, LLC, publishers of the Guide for the Arts, publishes editions in Boston and Washington D.C. For more information contact: Kevin T. Wood 617-275-4768

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