Placido Domingo gets the boot
Opera star accepted ‘full responsibility’ for actions that prompted sexual misconduct allegations
The Spanish government cancelled upcoming performances by Placido Domingo in Madrid on Wednesday following the singer’s acceptance of “full responsibility” for actions that prompted sexual misconduct allegations, as cracks formed in the steadfast support European opera houses have shown for the tenor.
Spain’s Culture Ministry said Wednesday that “given the seriousness of the deeds,” and “in solidarity with women affected,” together with Domingo’s declarations of responsibility, it had cancelled his part in Luisa Fernanda at the Teatro de la Zarzuela light opera house in mid-May.
The ministry’s decision came a day after the main US union representing opera performers said its investigators found the opera star had behaved inappropriately over the course of two decades when he held senior management positions at Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera.
In response to the findings, Domingo issued a statement saying: “I respect that these women finally felt comfortable enough to speak out, and I want them to know that I am truly sorry for the hurt that I caused them. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I have grown from this experience.”
The union’s investigation was the first of two independent inquiries launched after multiple women accused Domingo of sexual harassment and abusing his power in two stories published last year. The second inquiry, still ongoing, was launched by LA Opera, where Domingo had been general director since 2003 before resigning in October.