Concert Placido Domingo in Chichen Itza, Yucatan

The Thousand Columns Concert

Chichen Itza is located in the north part of the state of Yucatan, at 75 miles East of Merida and in the middle of the road to Cancun through Federal Highway 180. This archaeological site was between 800 and 1200 A.D., the center of political, religious, and military power in the South-eastern Mesoamerican region. Chichen Itza, combining nature and splendor, features The Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan, one of the most impressive buildings in the area. This 55 meter or 180 feet high structure was linked to the Maya interest in astronomy and calendars. After noon on equinox days, triangle shadows of the northeast angle of the building reflect on the stairways imitating the shape and movement of a snake. Nowadays, on every Spring equinox, thousands of people gather to watch this awesome spectacle that in past times was used to deceive people with the myth of a descending, angry god.

The Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan will be a splendid scenery for the greatest opera singer of modern times, Placido Domingo. With more than 100 records, 9 Grammy Awards, 50 videos, and 3 movies- La Traviata, Otelo, and Carmen- Placido Domingo surpassed in 1999 Enrico Caruso's record inaugurating opera seasons at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, with the presentation of I Pagliacci. Since 1996, Domingo directs the Opera of Washington and since 2000, he is the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Opera as well. He performs regularly at the Scala of Milan, the Opera Theater in Viena, the Opera of La Bastille in Paris, the Opera in San Francisco, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Liceu of Barcelona, the Colon Theater in Buenos Aires, the Royal Theater in Madrid, and at the Festivals of Bayreuth in Salzburg, among many other stages. His career as a music related entrepreneur is impressive.

The list of artists for The Thousand Columns Concert includes the presence of Puertorrican soprano Ana Maria Martinez and pianist, actor, and cultural promoter Maestro Eugene Kohn; together with Mexican composer Armando Manzanero, they complete the catalogue for this night, that is expected to be memorable. These artists will be accompanied by the Yucatan Simphonic Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Jose Luis Chan Sabido.

According to the institutions organizing The Thousand Columns Concert, this event will help tourist promotion of the majestic archaeological site of Chichen Itza, designated in 2007 as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Moreover, it will contribute to promote cultural, colonial, and tourist spaces throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, specially the Mayan World and the Caribbean. The presence of Yucatan in the world will be enhanced as a consequence.

Tickets for The Thousand Columns Concert are available through www.ticketmaster.com.mx. Or calling in Merida (01999) 941 9447, in Monterrey (0181) 8369 9000, in Guadalajara (0133) 3818 3800, and in Mexico city (0155) 53 25 9000. In Merida, prestigiuos stores like Liverpool or Megacomercial will sell tickets too.