Curtain falls for Domingo as he cancels UK performances
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO will not perform at the Royal Opera House this summer, it has been announced, after claims he sexually harassed women.
The acclaimed singer was to feature in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Don Carlos, but it was “mutually decided” he would withdraw from the role.
Several opera houses have dropped Domingo, 79, after allegations of sexual harassment dating back to the Eighties surfaced last year. A total of 20 women accused him of inappropriate behaviour, which he denied.
Last month, an inquiry by the American Guild of Musical Artists, a US union representing opera performers, concluded he “had engaged in inappropriate activity”, and that misconduct ranged from “flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside the workplace”.
The Spaniard issued an apology “for the hurt” he had caused but maintained he had never “behaved aggressively” or “done anything to obstruct or impede anyone’s career”.
In a statement issued yesterday the Royal Opera House said: “The ROH and maestro Plácido Domingo have mutually decided that he will withdraw from the forthcoming performances of Don Carlo in July 2020. We would like to confirm we have received no claims of misconduct against maestro Domingo during his time at the Royal Opera House and are sympathetic of his reasons for stepping down.
“We will announce the casting for his role in due course.”
Following the allegations, he quit as general manager of the Los Angeles Opera, while engagements were cancelled in Madrid, Dallas, and San Francisco.
Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph’s opera critic, said: “It’s very sad he has to make his exit holding his head in embarrassment, if not shame. At the same time, he’s nearly 80 and a lot of fans will think he has outstayed his welcome, as he’s so far past his best now.
“Don Carlos is a role for a man in his 20s and it’s ludicrous that such an old buffer would appear in this role. Most tenors would retire in their late 50s. He’s gone steadily downhill and carried on because everybody loved him and he made a lot of money. I very much doubt he will be seen in the UK again.”