Ambassador
András Simonyi presented the Commander's Cross with the Star of the
Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary to world-renowned singer Plácido
Domingo, General Director of the Washington National Opera, yesterday at
the Hungarian Ambassador’s Residence.
The
decoration, which is the highest that can be given to outstanding
leaders other than heads of the state, was awarded to Mr. Domingo by the
President of the Republic of Hungary for his "outstanding carrier
in arts as well as for his efforts in presenting the works of Hungarian
music world-wide."
Maestro Domingo has performed with the Hungarian State Opera
since the very beginning of his career and is well known for his love of
Hungarian music.
The
moving but light-hearted ceremony took place in front of friends, WNO
board members, and members of the "Trilogy" cast with whom Mr.
Domingo had sung the matinée yesterday.
"Tonight
we are honoring a great man, a musical institution, and a living legend,
who ... is probably the most eloquent advocate of opera as an art form
today," said Ambassador Simonyi.
