Spanish tenor Placido Domingo expresses joy at returning to stage after cancer surgery

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Domingo set for first performance post-surgery

MILAN — Spanish tenor Placido Domingo said Monday he was very happy to be signing again on stage just weeks after undergoing colon cancer surgery, but will hold off on making any new recordings.

Domingo sings the lead in Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” — a rare baritone role for the tenor — at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala for six shows opening Friday. The shows are being conducted by Daniel Barenboim, an old friend of the Spanish tenor’s who called Domingo “indestructible.”

“The joy at returning to Milan is immense, and even more for the circumstances, above a little fear to be able to continue my career, because you never know after you have surgery if all will go well,” a healthy-looking Domingo told a news conference.

Domingo had surgery March 2 in New York, interrupting a busy international schedule after being struck with severe pain during concerts in Japan in February.

“Some words strike fear. If you speak of cancer, certainly there is fear. But fortunately those of us who have had something like this are lucky that science progresses every day,” Domingo said.

The 69-year-old singer said he is making it his duty to encourage others to take the time to get a colonoscopy.

“I, evidently, hadn’t done it. I thought I would do it after these shows at La Scala,” Domingo said. “Now I insist when I talk to anyone, I recommend to do the exam. Don’t think, ‘I am busy this week.’ It takes about half an hour. If all goes well, in half a day, you are finished and nothing will happen. This is a point I want to make to everyone.”

Domingo has many engagements lined up — but said he is waiting to take on recording projects until he sees how he holds up on stage.

“I must say that given the circumstances of what I had, I must see now how I feel in the performances,” Domingo said.

Domingo said rehearsals have been going well, and he has been singing run-throughs every three days.

Domingo’s final La Scala performance of “Simon Boccanegro” will be May 7. While in Milan, he will also oversee the World Opera Competition that bears his name from April 25 to May 2.

Domingo also is scheduled to perform in Moscow, Qatar, Los Angeles, London and Madrid this spring and summer. In September, he will sing the role of the poet Pablo Neruda in the world premiere of “Il Postino” in Los Angeles, and has engagements in Vienna in December.