World-renowned, multifaceted artist Plácido Domingo has been named as chairman of IFPI on 26th July, the organisation that represents the recording industry worldwide. He is a conductor and a major force as an opera administrator in his role as general director of the LA Opera.

One of the finest and most influential singing stars in the history of opera, his collection encompasses 134 roles, none have matched his heights. He has conducted more than 450 opera performances and symphonic concerts with the world's major orchestras and opera companies in the span of 40 years. Along with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras, he brought opera to a mass global audience in 1990 with “three tenors."

Domingo will play a leading role to promote IFPI's priorities internationally which include improving copyright legislation and promoting the work of music rights owners and to help develop a successful digital music sector and supporting the industry's public education efforts around digital music.

Plácido Domingo, 12 times Grammy Award winner said “It is a great honour to be invited to become the chairman of IFPI. I have always passionately believed in the importance of respecting talent and in the rights of all those who perform, create, produce and invest in music. Today, the world of music and in fact most of the arts is undergoing enormous changes and challenges. Technology, which on one hand allows artists to reach many more than ever before, has led to a debate about how to find a way to protect the intellectual property rights of artists, creators and all those living and working in the world of music. I look forward to being a part of those discussions."

Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: "It is a privilege to welcome Plácido Domingo to IFPI. He is an artist of unrivalled talent and authority who speaks from the heart about the issues that matter to him. His forceful advocacy for the intellectual property rights of the music sector comes at a pivotal moment, as governments in many countries consider new legislation to curb piracy and help develop the legitimate digital music business".

Global music company heads have also welcomed the appointment of the Plácido Domingo.