Mexico City – To mariachi rhythms and dressed in traditional Mexican cowboy - or "charro" - attire, Spanish tenor Placido Domingo proved in Mexico City that at age 70 he continues to be "the king," as the famous song by Mexican songwriter Jose Alfredo Jimenez says.
At the end of an emotional tribute organized Tuesday night for his 70th birthday and to commemorate the half century since he made his singing debut in a country he considers to be a second home, the artist brought out the most Mexican facet of his personality and performed - charro sombrero in hand - three songs accompanied by a traditional mariachi group.
And another tradition was carried out as well for the guest of honor, the singing of "Las mañanitas," the Spanish-language "Happy Birthday," as improvised at the end of the celebration by musicians from the Mining Symphony Orchestra, directed on this occasion by Mexican Alondra de la Parra.
More than 10,000 people crowded into the National Auditorium to hear a varied repertoire of numbers in which zarzuela rhythms were mixed with pieces from musicals such as "West Side Story" and "My Fair Lady," and with "son" numbers from "Huapango," by composer Juan Pablo Moncayo.
"Thanks to everyone. I hope that we see one another here on my 80th" birthday, Domingo said upon bidding farewell to the enthusiastic spectators, whom he brought to their feet on numerous occasions.
Accompanied on the stage by Argentine soprano Virginia Sola, with whom he performed several duets, the Madrid tenor admitted that he felt "huge emotion" at celebrating his 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his career, which he began in Mexico.
When he finally left the stage after more than two-and-a-half hours, the orchestra broke into "Mañanitas" spontaneously and many of the fans sang along.
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