José Plácio Domingo Embil KBE (born January 21, 1941), better known as Plácido Domingo, is a world-renowned operatic tenor, known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range. He is considered to be a talented and hard working musician: in March of 2008, he debuted in his 126th on-stage role. In addition to the 126 roles in his official repertoire, he has also recorded four others, giving Domingo more roles than any other tenor. He is also admired for his acting ability, his musicality and musical intellect, and the number and variety of opera roles that he has mastered. In addition to his singing roles, he has also taken on conducting opera and concert performances, as well as serving as the General Director of the Washington National Opera in Washington, D.C. and the Los Angeles Opera in California. His contracts in both Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. have been extended through the 2010–2011 season.