Domingo, known to popular music audiences for his "Three Tenors" performances with Jose Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti, was honored as the Latin Grammy Person of the Year for his cultural and philanthrophic accomplishments during the celebration on the eve of the 11th annual awards show.
"This is a great honor for me," Domingo, 69, told the crowd, clutching a crystal trophy to his chest as his eyes teared up. "How many people seated in this room here today deserve to be the Person of the Year. I know there are many."
In previous years, presenters sang the top hits of the Person of the Year during the tribute concert. Domingo instead requested his favorite singers perform the songs that drew him to a life of music.
It was a night for every musical genre.
American harmony group The Lettermen crooned their 1968 hit, "Put Your Head on my Shoulder," while country singer Alejandro Fernandez serenaded Domingo with the traditional Mexican ballad "Jurame." Jazz artist Patti Austin performed "Moon River" and Spanish performer Paloma San Basilio purred the lyrics to the Caribbean classic love song "Piel Canela."
Ricky Martin, a past recipient of the award, presented Domingo with his trophy.
But it was Domingo himself who stole the show when he stood on stage for a rousing performance of the opera standard "Granada" as images of the storied Spanish city flashed behind him on a screen. Domingo, dressed in a classic tuxedo, drew the only standing ovation of the night.
Domingo devoted his acceptance brief speech to his love for the Spanish-speaking world, deeming the connection between Spain and its former colonies "extraordinary."
"Our language, our music, our culture, our happiness is contagious and the world has been infected with that music," he said. "Every day more people listen to our music in the world."
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12113551
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