Plácido Domingo became Honorary Doctor of UP
Placido Domingo, opera singer, conductor, founder of Operalia World Opera Competition, General Director of Los Angeles Opera and former member of “3 Tenors” was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa by the Senate of the University of Pécs on 7 February, 2016.
As it was announced during the ceremony, the Faculty of Music and Visual Arts is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and the much-adored Spanish artist’s visit to Pécs is a worthy opening of the anniversary.
Photo: Szabolcs Csortos, UnivPécs
The Rector of the University of Pécs and the Senate of the University of Pécs inaugurated Plácido Domingo opera singer as Honoris Causa on Sunday, who was nominated this honorary title by the UP’s Faculty of Music and Visual Arts back in 2011.
The explanatory memorandum stated that with the doctor Honoris Causa titlethe University of Pécs expresses its respect and acknowledgement and would like to recognise Plácido Domingo’s artistic greatness as well as his services done for the City of Pécs as a patronage of the European Capital of Culture Program in 2010.
“It is always a pleasure for me to welcome such a world-famous artist among our honorary doctors as Plácido Domingo” – said József Bódis, rector of UP. “Our Faculty of Music and Visual Arts has achieved more and more success in the international arena during recent years. Among our professors and students there is a world class trombone player, there are world famous violinists and it would take a while to name all our excellent colleagues. Therefore, I believe that within this discipline we are also approaching in an honourable way towards the 650thAnniversary of our university. We could hardly find better ambassadors of the related series of anniversary events than our globally known honorary doctors” –emphasized József Bódis.
Photo: Szabolcs Csortos, UnivPécs
Following this, Plácido Domingo has taken the certificate of Doctor Honoris Causa and the gown as the symbol of belonging to the professors’ community of the University of Pécs. In his welcome speech the world-famous artist has mentioned his personal experience as well: ‘I first visited Hungary in 1973, and throughout my career I have worked with outstanding Hungarian artists in the world of opera […] I have great love and respect for the excellent Hungarian composers – Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, Franz Liszt, Franz Lehár, and Ferenc Erkel, among others. Not to mention the fact that as a passionate fan of the Real Madrid football team, in the city where I was born, I was a great admirer of Ferenc Puskás, who was one of our star players for many years.” – said Plácido Domingo.
Photo: Szabolcs Csortos, UnivPécs
Tamás Lakner, the dean of the Faculty which nominated the world-famous tenor for the honorary doctoral award, has emphasized that: ‘The Faculty of Music and Visual Arts is proud that following José Carreras’ inauguration in 2007 another musical eminence joins the ranks of our Honorary Doctors, who has had a close relationship with the City and the University for many years. Ms. Ilona Tokody, honorary professor of our Faculty used to work together with Plácido Domingo as well, and what is more, their “La vie de Bohéme” record was one of the most well-known versions of the opus in the world”. – remembered the dean.
