At the concert in Budapest, Maestro Plácido Domingo and Dimash Qudaibergen were the headline performers of the evening. Each presented solo pieces as well as collaborations with other renowned singers and instrumentalists.

The long-awaited duet between the two vocalists thrilled the audience: “O Sole Mio” became a little performance of its own within the larger musical narrative of the evening. Dimash shared with the audience that he had known the work of the legendary Domingo since the age of five and could say with certainty that it was thanks to the maestro that he became a singer.

After the concert, the maestro spoke to Dimash with great sincerity and warmth:

“Being a tenor is the hardest job. The tenor role is the most difficult of all. Don’t tell anyone, but now I sing as a baritone…

A tenor has to be attractive, charismatic – a leader, a winner. And you have everything it takes for that. It’s simply phenomenal. Your looks and your talent are truly exceptional; you have every quality needed for success.

I think you need to keep performing all over the world. Of course, it is also very important to sing in your own country, so they can be proud of you there.

And with the World Cup coming soon, you absolutely must go there as well. It will be magnificent: all the nations, football, the festive atmosphere.

And I’ll tell you honestly: yesterday’s performance was truly very strong – genuinely magnificent.”