The Spanish tenor, Placido Domingo – born in Madrid but with a strong connection to England’s capital – has had the Freedom of The City bestowed upon him.

"I am blessed to have amassed and nurtured an enduring relationship with London," he said after being nominated. The granting of the Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today. It is believed that the first Freedom was presented in 1237. On his London connection, the Madrid-born tenor said: "I am proud of having once called Chelsea a home, and having embedded so much of my history here. I am now filled with emotion and gratitude." Alderman Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said: "His exceptional legacy to classical music will endure for decades to come, and it is a huge pleasure and personal privilege to host Placido Domingo at Mansion House and admit him into the Freedom."

Placido Domingo Placido Domingo at probably another award ceremony (he actually is)

The Spaniard, while a humble and kind man, is used to accolades of this gravity. He’s been awarded with the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for Arts, Commander of the French Legion d'Honneur, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Hasn’t won a Razzie, though. Last night he performed the title role in Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, his 142nd role in a career which started in 1959, when he was 18.