Placido Domingo is hospitalized in Madrid with pulmonary embolism

Plácido Domingo has been hospitalized in Madrid after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The 72-year-old tenor was in Spain to perform in Daniel Catan’s “Il Postino,” but it is expected that he will have to cancel his appearances in the opera.

A spokeswoman for Domingo told The Times that the tenor experienced “intense pain” on Monday after which he was admitted to a hospital. She said that Domingo wasn’t performing at the time he experienced the pain.

A doctor diagnosed the condition as a pulmonary embolism that resulted from a deep venous thrombosis.

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“Per his doctor’s instructions, he will be forced to rest for three to four weeks,” said spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer in a statement. “His exact return to his performing engagements remains subject to how fast he can heal and regain his characteristic strength.”

Seltzer said that Domingo’s family was with him in Madrid. “He is expected to fully recover,” she said.

Domingo was expected to begin performances of “Il Postino” on July 17. The tenor plays Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, a role that he originated at Los Angeles Opera in 2010. The Teatro Real production in Madrid is a co-production with L.A. Opera.

His spokeswoman also said that it is likely he will have to cancel an appearance at Madrid’s Plaza Mayor on July 21.

[Updated: Domingo has canceled all five of his scheduled “Il Postino” performances, as well as the conducting event at Plaza Mayor, according to the spokeswoman.]

Domingo serves as general director of L.A. Opera. The company said in a statement: “All of us at L.A. Opera wish Maestro Domingo a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.”

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