In a poignant and historic ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City, the world of opera and international diplomacy converged as legendary tenor Plácido Domingo was formally granted honorary Mexican citizenship. The event, presided over by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, celebrated the 83-year-old artist's profound and enduring bond with the Latin American nation.
President López Obrador presented the Spanish-born maestro with official documentation, solidifying his new status. The honour recognises Señor Domingo's six-decade-long artistic contribution to Mexico, a country he first visited as a teenager and which he has long considered a second home.
A Life Intertwined with Mexico
The ceremony was deeply personal. Domingo emotionally recounted his early career, having made his operatic debut in Mexico City in 1959. He fondly recalled performing alongside Mexican musical icons like José José and Vicente Fernández, collaborations that cemented his place in the country's cultural fabric.
His connection runs deeper than the stage. All four of his children were born in Mexico, making the honour feel like a formal recognition of a lifelong relationship. "Thank you for receiving me in such a wonderful way," Domingo addressed the nation, "I will carry this honour in my heart for the rest of my life."
A Controversy Addressed
The presentation was not without its political undercurrents. President López Obrador used the platform to draw a parallel with his ongoing critique of US foreign policy. He contrasted Mexico's welcoming gesture with the treatment of Mexican migrants in the United States, stating it served as an example of how nations "should treat foreigners."
This prestigious accolade comes several years after Domingo faced allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women in the US, which he has denied. The Mexican president's unwavering support and this subsequent honour signal a significant public and official embrace of the artist by the Mexican government and people.
The event concluded not with speeches, but with song. In a powerful and symbolic moment, Plácido Domingo, the newly minted Mexican citizen, joined a chorus in performing "Cielito Lindo," one of Mexico's most beloved folk songs, marking a full-circle moment in his extraordinary journey.
