Armenian Haigazian University of Beirut, Lebanon, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in Los Angeles on October 3. The celebration will include fundraising and performance by Grammy award-winning tenor and conductor Plácido Domingo. The event will take place in Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, which is the home of Los Angeles opera.

Referring to the upcoming celebration, Plácido Domingo said cordial words: “My mother, who was a wonderful singer, studied with an Armenian vocal teacher, so I have had a lifelong admiration for the Armenian Community’s rich tradition of music and performing arts. I am proud to welcome you to [the] LA Opera and I look forward to a wonderful celebration with you in our home.”

At the celebration, Plácido Domingo will first perform the title role in Woody Allen’s production of the opera “Gianni Schicchi,” following which he will conduct Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.”

Honorary Committee members include ex-Governor of California George Deukmejian, Baroness Caroline Cox, Vartan Grigorian, and Joyce Philibosian Stein.

Although Haigazian University is located in Lebanon, its influence is felt by Armenians globally. With its roots in the United States, the University has been preserving Armenian culture and preparing future educators in the Diaspora for roughly 60 years.