Trailer Released for Saldaña’s CGI Romantic Comedy “The Book of Life”

It’s the Day of (the Dead) reckoningfor Zoe Saldaña

The first trailer for 20th Century Fox and Reel FX’s The Book of Life, featuring the voice of the 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress, has been released.

The Book of Life

Saldaña voice the character of Maria in the Guillermo del Toro-produced film, which isdescribed as the journey of Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna), a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds, where he must face his greatest fears.

In addition to Saldaña and Luna, the voice cast also includesKate del Castillo as La Muerte, Cheech Marin, Héctor Elizondo, Plácido Domingo, Ana de la Reguera, Eugenio Derbez and Danny Trejo.

The CGI romantic comedy, which is set during the Mexican holiday of the Day of the Dead, is directed by El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera creator Jorge Gutierrez. It was co-written by Gutierrez and Disney veteran Doug Langdale.

The Book of Life is scheduled to hit theaters on October 17.

Domingo to Receive Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music

Starting next month, you’ll be able to call Plácido Domingo a doctor.

The 73-year-old Spanish tenor and conductor/musical director will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Berklee College of Music at its international campus in Valencia, Spain.

Placido Domingo

The ceremony will take place on April 4 in the presence of Berklee College chancellor Larry Simpson and with the participation of the univeristy’s students and professors.

Domingo, hailed as the “king of opera,” alternates performances in opera houses around the world with his duties as the general director of the Los Angeles Opera. At the end of 2013, he had sung some 144 different roles.

Domingo is known not only as one of the most talented and influential tenors in the history of opera, but also as a respected musical director.

Nearly sixty years after beginning his illustrious career in 1957, his energy and strong, dramatic voice remain intact.

Recipient of the 1991 Prince of Asturias Prize in the Arts, Domingo is Commander of the French Legion d’Honneur and Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Saldaña Joins the Voice Cast of Guillermo del Toro’s Animated Film “Book of Life”

Zoë Saldaña will be sharing the Book of Life with moviegoers…

The 35-year-old Dominican and Cuban American actress has joined the voice cast of 20th Century Fox Animation‘s Book of Life, which is being produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Mexican animator and filmmaker Jorge R. Gutierrez.

Zoe Saldana

Originally titled Day of the Dead, after the famous Mexican celebration, the movie’s title is now Book of Life.

Guiterrez’s credits include Nickelodeon‘s award-winning animated television series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.

Along with Saldaña, the voice cast includes Channing Tatum, Diego Luna, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo and Ron Perlman, along with Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, Placido Domingo, Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution) and Danny Trejo.

Fox will open the film in October 2014.

Domingo Performs Charity Concert For Mexican Children…

Plácido Domingo is lending his strong voice to the children of Mexico…

The 71-year-old Spanish tenor and conductor made his last appearance of the year at a charity concert in Acapulco, Mexico, performing before an audience of nearly 20,000.

Placido Domingo

Funds from Saturday night’s event will benefit a youth orchestra program in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, helping hundreds of at-risk youths.

“One of the most beautiful moments was directing them and hearing them sing,” said Domingo in a post-concert press conference, referring to the 320 young people and children from the Orquesta Renacimiento who participated in the event.

The group was created on July 30 with children recruited from the poor Ciudad Renacimiento section of Acapulco, thanks to a program for training children from low-income households.

“I believe this is marvelous,” the Spanish singer, a strong supporter of using musical training to promote integration and prevent social exclusion, said.

Domingo, who was born in Madrid in 1941, said a “great friend,” maestro Jose Antonio Abreu, organized a similar program in Venezuela 35 years ago, allowing more than 350,000 childen to receive classroom training and get off the streets.

Alonso Named Honorary Ambassador for “Brand Spain”

Fernando Alonso is representing his native land in a big way…

The 31-year-old Spanish Formula One race car driver and a two-time World Champion has been named an honorary ambassador for “Brand Spain” by the Leading Brands of Spain Forum.

Fernando Alonso

The award is aimed at publicly recognizing people, businesses and institutions that have contributed greatly during their professional careers to strengthening the international image of the Iberian nation.

Alonso was selected in the Sports category for being one of the Spanish athletes enjoying “great success and international projection, admired and respected throughout the world.”

But Alonso isn’t the only Spanish luminary named an honorary ambassador…

Antonio Banderas was honored in the Culture and Communication category for being one of the country’s “best-known and admired” artists internationally, having built up an impressive resume of film projects in Hollywood.

Also selected for their work in strengthening Spain’s image abroad were businessman Isak Andic, the founder and main stockholder of the Mango fashion retailer group, economist Pedro Nueno, chef Jose Andres, cancer researcher Dr. Maria Blasco and the National Transplant Organization.

The judging panel headed by Antonio Abril, the general secretary of the Inditex textile group, included Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, the Government High Commissioner for Brand Spain.

This is the first time that this recognition has been bestowed since the creation of the post of high commissioner. The high commissioner backed the initiative to develop the Leading Brands of Spain Forum, which includes more than 100 companies and several government ministers.

Other personalities who have been selected in the past to be honorary ambassadors include Rafael Nadal, Placido Domingo, Javier Solana and Pau Gasol.

Domingo Recording Titanic Tune with Celine Dion

Plácido Domingo is lending his gigantic voice to a titanic insta-classic song…

The 70-year-old Spanish tenor—who was recently named a recipient of Israel’s prestigious Wolf Prize—will duet with Celine Dion on the 43-year-old Canadian songstress’ iconic No. 1 song “My Heart Will Go On.”

Placido Domingo & Celine Dion

The Domingo-Dion duet on the theme song from Titanic—which will be re-released in 3D this spring—is part of two new soundtracks being issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking: Titanic Anniversary Edition and Titanic Collector’s Anniversary Edition.

The first version includes a 12-page booklet and vintage stickers, the remastered soundtrack, previously unpublished recorded music by orchestra I Salonisti and the Dion/Domingo duet.

The Collector’s Edition comprises of the booklet and stickers, along with four CDs: the remastered soundtrack, “Back To Titanic” remastered, I Salonisti’s music, the Dion/Domingo duet and popular music from the “Titanic” period.

Titanic Soundtrack

Since its release in 1997, the original soundtrack has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide. Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” meanwhile, has moved more than six million copies and has become her signature song.

Sony Classical will release the two new editions of the original soundtrack to Titanic on March 26. Meanwhile, Titanic 3D is set to open in theaters nationwide on April 4.

Domingo Receives Israel’s Prestigious Wolf Prize

Plácido Domingo has plenty to sing about!

The acclaimed tenor has become the first vocal artist ever to win Israel’s Wolf Prize.

Placido Domingo

The Wolf Foundation named the 70-year-old Spanish legend one of eight recipients of the nation’s prestigious award on Tuesday. From 1962 to 1965, at the beginning of his career, Domingo sang with the Israeli opera company.

Each year the Wolf Foundation awards $100,000 prizes in five fields. About three dozen winners have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes.

Domingo shares the award with seven other American, British and Israeli recipients, including English conductor Sir Simon Rattle.

Israeli physicist Jacob D. Bekenstein won the physics prize. The others went to U.S.-based scientists, including chemists A. Paul Alivisatos and Charles M. Lieber, mathematicians Michael Aschbacher and Luis Caffarelli, and in medicine, Ronald M. Evans.

Shakira Named Person of the Year…

International singing sensation and philanthropist Shakira has been named this year’s “person of the year” by The Latin Recording Academy.

The 34-year-old seven-time Latin Grammy winner—nominated for three Latin Grammy Awards this year, including the top Album Of The Year prize for her most recent work, “Sale el Sol”—has received the special recognition for her renowned artistic talent and selfless philanthropic contributions.

“We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally,” says Gabriel Abaroa Jr., president/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy.

Shakira becomes the youngest artist to receive the honor. Previous recipients include Placido Domingo, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias and Ricky Martin.

“It is truly an honor to be in the company of some of the greatest artists and legends of Latin Music,” says Shakira of this special distinction.

During the special star-studded tribute, Shakira’s friends and fellow artists will salute her with their own versions of her music. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Shakira’s Pies Descalzos Foundation as well as The Latin Recording Academy’s Latin Grammy in the Schools educational efforts.

The tribute gala will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.