The opera singer and conductor Placido Domingo is to be made an honorary Doctor of Music at Oxford University.

The star, famous as one of the Three Tenors with Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras, has been chosen for his contribution to performing arts and charity work.

The 61-year-old will collect the award at a ceremony on 25 June, where he must don cream robes with cherry-pink sleeves and apple blossom embroidery.

Five other figures who have "distinguished themselves in the fields of academia, medicine, and the performing arts" will receive honorary degrees at the event, known as Encaenia.

The Three Tenors sung for the last time in Japan

A university spokesperson said: "Placido Domingo has been chosen for his contribution to the world of music.

"He has done a lot to further the popularity of opera."

The Spanish star has sung a staggering 119 roles - more than any tenor in history - since his debut in Verdi's Requiem at London's Royal Festival Hall in 1969.

He and his fellow Three Tenors sang together for the last time in front of 10,000 fans in Yokohama, Japan, at last year's World Cup.

AIDS victims

Although most famous as a singer, Mr Domingo has conducted orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony and is the artistic director of both the Washington and the Los Angeles Operas.

He has also helped to raise millions for the victims of AIDS and natural disasters.

Last year he was given an honorary knighthood by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the British Embassy in Washington DC.

As the singer is not a British citizen he cannot use the title Sir, but can instead put the letters KBE after his name.

Mr Domingo was born in Madrid in 1941, but grew up in Mexico City.