Domingo admits fault in harassment scandal
Opera singer apologises after inquiry upholds sex allegations from female co-stars and staff
Plácido Domingo, the acclaimed opera singer, has accepted responsibility for sparking accusations from women that he sexually harassed them after their complaints were upheld in a non judicial inquiry by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Its investigation into the behaviour of the Spanish tenor turned baritone was conducted by lawyers hired after reports last year revealed that 27 women had claimed the singer had sexually harassed them or had made unwanted approaches.
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO has accepted “full responsibility” after accusations from women of sexual harassment were upheld in a non-judicial inquiry.
An investigation into the Spanish opera star’s behaviour was conducted by lawyers hired by the American Guild of Musical Artists after reports last year revealed that 27 women had claimed the singer, 79, sexually harassed them or made unwanted approaches.
The panel concluded their accounts showed a clear pattern of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by Domingo spanning two decades, when he held senior management positions at Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera.
The findings have not yet been made public but a statement from the guild said Domingo was found to have “engaged in inappropriate activity, from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace”.
Domingo, who had previously brushed off the accusations as baseless, yesterday said he wanted the women who had accused him to know: “I am truly sorry for the hurt that I caused them. I understand now that some women may have feared to express themselves honestly because of a concern that their careers would be adversely affected. While that was never my intention, no one should ever be made to feel that way.” It was unclear if any of the claims may lead to a criminal investigation.
Patricia Wulf, a retired opera singer, was first to come forward – and one of only two to have gone public. “In my business he was like God,” she said. Ms Wulf, who starred with Domingo at the Washington Opera in 1998, said he pressurised her every time they performed: “He would come up to me, very close to my face and very clearly say, ‘Patricia, do you have to go home tonight?’”.
LA Opera continues to investigate Domingo when he was general director, a post he quit last year after the claims were published. Domingo had performances cancelled in New York and Dallas, though he continued to sing in Europe to full houses. His next public appearance is at Hamburg Staatsoper in March.
The Royal Opera House in London said a performance of Don Carlo with Domingo would go ahead in July. British women’s groups voiced their disappointment at the decision, suggesting profits from his ROH performances should be donated to charity. “It is sadly not surprising that even when men admit to harassing women, huge institutions are happy to ignore this violence if it is beneficial to them,” said Laura Tomson, co-director of the campaign group Zero Tolerance. Angela Turner Wilson was second to go public with allegations, claiming that when co-starring in Le Cid at Washington Opera in the 19992000 season, Domingo stood behind her and grabbed her breasts under her clothes. “It hurt,” she told Associated Press. “It was not gentle. He groped me hard.” Ms Wilson said he also asked to kiss her despite being reminded she was married. Melinda Mclain, production coordinator at LA Opera for its inaugural season in 1986-87 and at Houston Grand Opera, said she never left the Spanish star alone with young female singers, even if he specifically requested it. “We created schemes to keep him away,” she said. “I never would have sent any woman into his dressing room.” Domingo’s apology is a far cry from his initial response. “After a career of 60 years, they have tried to destroy me in five minutes,” he said in Valencia in December before receiving a standing ovation at the Palace of Arts, where he performed in a staging of Nabucco.
He went on to tell the Spanish newspaper El País he may have been flirtatious but never crossed the line. He lamented: “Things you could say 30 years ago, or even two years ago – you cannot say anything to a woman now.”