Placido Domingo sings in Kazan City Hall at Ilsur Metshin's request

(Kazan, KZN.RU, May 20, by Adelya Galiyeva) Today, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin met in Kazan City Hall with the world-famous Spanish opera singer, music director of the Washington Opera and the Los Angeles Opera, tenor Placido Domingo. The meeting was also attended by opera singer Aida Garifullina .

Ilsur Metshin welcomed the maestro to the capital of Tatarstan. "The arrival of a star of this caliber and your concert with Aida Garifullina is a great event not only for our city, but also for the cultural life of the entire region," said the mayor.

The mayor thanked Placido Domingo for organizing the «Operalia» contest, which gives aspiring singers a chance to develop their talents and opens the way to the best opera stages of the world. As a reminder, Kazan is vying to host the world famous competition for young opera singers, which in the music world can be compared in importance to the Olympic Games. Last year, the winner of this contest was an opera singer from Kazan, Aida Garifullina. "She does a lot to promote Kazan and Tatarstan both inside and outside the country, on world opera stages. We are proud of our native city and its success. We hope that these are only the first steps, " said the mayor.

Placido Domingo said that he was happy to visit Kazan, which he had known long and well because of its connections with the name of Feodor Chaliapin. He admired the beauty of the city and remarked on its religious and ethnic tolerance.

During the meeting, the mayor said that many music teachers were eager to attend the great Domingo's concert, but not being exactly rich, they could not afford the tickets. Therefore, the city administration, together with the president of the Republic of Tatarstan, has decided to invite all the teachers to the concert. "Many of them still cannot believe it's real, but 2,072 teachers have already received the invitations. This is in the way of our thanks to them for serving the city and music. So your concert will be attended by true connoisseurs along with other admirers of your talent," said the mayor.

Placido Domingo was greatly touched by the story and expressed confidence that it was necessary to teach children music because "some of them will grow up to be musicians and others – learn to appreciate music."

The mayor asked the tenor to sing something in City Hall.

"Feodor Chaliapin once sang in Kazan City Hall," said the mayor. "And now we have the opportunity to add a new page to its history: following Feodor Chaliapin, Placido Domingo sang here. These walls will not forgive me if you don't sing at least two notes here."

Domingo and Aida Garifullina sang a capella a short opera excerpt that will be performed in the May 22 concert.

In conclusion, Ilsur Metshin presented Placido Domingo with the sheet music of 50 songs of the Russian people, published in 1863 and found in the archives.  He expressed hope that they would contribute to the singer's collection. "For me, this is a most valuable gift because I collect old sheet music,"  said Placido Domingo in appreciation of the gift. Besides, the singer was awarded a silver statuette of the Barsik Uni, the Universiade symbol created by local craftsmen, so that it would always remind him of the young and open Kazan.