Placido Domingo has made his mark not only as a singer but as a developer of opera companies. In Washington and Los Angeles he has taken companies to new heights. “While other American opera companies, such as San Francisco and the Met, have struggled through financial or political turmoil recently, Domingo’s houses have sailed along relatively unscathed. “I am very happy and proud of my companies,” he said. “We are just behind the Met and Chicago in terms of artistic quality and importance. That’s not to say that we don’t have problems. One of the biggest challenges is raising money. It’s not easy; especially since Sept. 11, things have become more difficult. But we have been working miracles in comparison [with other U.S. houses], and we are in good shape.”