ARIA SERIOUS?

Placido Domingo has been awarded the first Birgit Nilsson prize for his "unrivalled contributions to the world of opera". The prize, the largest one in the world of classical music, is $1 million. Nilsson gave instructions before her death in 2005 for the creation of the award. Prize officials had kept the name secret for almost a decade after Nilsson gave them a sealed envelope containing Domingo's name as her choice for the first award. Congrats Maestro Domingo, your contributions are innumerable, including that appearance on The Simpsons. An award ceremony will occur later this year. You can read the full article, here . - Edward

Reader Valerie Scher sent me this tidbit of Placido discussing what it is like to be a dog in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua". Looks the Maestro brings as much passion to this role as he does to the opera stage. I was skeptical at first, but really, this is quite poignant. But talking dogs!?!? My animals have enough sway over my life without speaking. Speaking of which, time to spend my lunch break walking them... Yes, my furry overlords, I'm coming... - Edward

The stars were out on Sunday to honor Placido Domingo's 40th Anniversary singing with the Met . Woody Allen and Miss Piggy were among the honored guests as well as trio of cross dressing divas -- Deborah Voigt, Susan Graham and Patricia Racette who sang "Nessun Dorma" while dressed in tuxedos which they tore off to reveal gowns underneath. Placido made his first appearance with the Met in 1968 when he filled in for an ailing Franco Corelli in Adriana Lecouvreur. Happy 40th Anniversary Maestro! Now onto some Muppets... - Edward