Plácido Domingo is looking for the world’s next best virtuosos…
The 77-year-old Opera singer is working with The Late Late Show with James Corden co-producer Fulwell 73 to remake the popular Hungarian classical music format Virtuosos in the United States and United Kingdom.
Domijngo, part of the Three Tenors with José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, has become a shareholder in Virtuosos Holding, the company that owns global rights to the eponymous format.
The show, which has aired on Hungary’s MTVA since 2014, sees children and young adults compete by playing classical pieces, as well as movie themes, while they’re judged by five professional judges.
The series is produced by Mariann Peller.
Fulwell 73, which is partly backed by Corden and also produces series including Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and BBC’s Sounds Like Friday Night, is to develop adaptations in the U.S. and UK following the format deal.
Domingo said, “The Virtuosos talent show and activities that surround it are a wonderful addition to the world of classical music, the encouragement of young musical talent and broadening the appeal of classical music.
“Since my very first involvement I have been incredibly impressed by the talent discovered in Hungary alone and am sure this will be repeated in other countries as the format finds new audiences and new lovers of classical music, presented in a contemporary way. I hope that by becoming an active shareholder in Virtuosos Holding I can lend further encouragement to both the talent we discover and the management of the company with my experience and connections around the world.”
Fulwell 73 partner Leo Pearlman added: “Virtuosos is a phenomenon in Hungary discovering and then showcasing the undiscovered stars of the classical music world, from all walks of life. Plácido Domingo is undoubtedly an integral part of the show and he alongside the talented young musicians, their incredible backstories and the confluence of a mainstream entertainment format and classical music are what we believe will make this a success in the UK and U.S. Classical music has long been hugely influential for artists in many different genres of popular music and now for the first time we’ll be highlighting this fact through a popular entertainment format in the way we know best.”