Poster for Placido Domingo's Beijing show "Rigoletto" [Photo: Baidu.com]

Spanish tenor Placido Domingo is famous for his versatility. In March 2008, he debuted his 128th opera role, totaling more roles than any other tenor. This time, Domingo will take on Verdi's classic opera "Rigoletto" in Beijing.

Domingo is moving back into his original baritone range after so many successes over the past decades. This time, his new challenge is Simon Boccanegra in "Rigoletto".

Among the numerous versions of "Simon", the most successful came from the famous Italian baritone Leo Nucci. Domingo has had many prior performances with Nucci in "Rigoletto", but this time the 70-year-old veteran quit his usual tenor role to take on a new one. Domingo's previous character, the amorous duke, will be played by the tenor's only Chinese apprentice Zhang Yingxi. Joining them will be famous conductor Eugene Kohn.

The show makes its debut on August 1 in Beijing.