Domingo qualifies apology to women
On Tuesday, opera star Plácido Domingo apologized to women who had accused him of sexual harassment.
“I respect that these women finally felt comfortable enough to speak out, and I want them to know that I am truly sorry,” he said.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he added.
But Thursday, as some of Europe’s leading opera houses considered canceling future engagements, Domingo said he wanted to “correct the false impression” his statement had created.
“My apology was sincere and wholehearted,” he said. “But I know what I haven’t done, and I will deny it again.”
“I have never behaved aggressively toward anybody, nor have I ever done anything to obstruct or hurt the career of anybody,” he continued. “On the contrary, I have dedicated a large part of my half-century in the world of opera to helping the industry and to promoting the career of innumerable singers.”
Domingo’s statement came just hours before the executive committee of the Teatro Real, a major opera house in Madrid, was to discuss whether to proceed with Domingo’s appearances in “La Traviata” in May.
Domingo said he was withdrawing from those performances “to prevent my situation from affecting, harming or causing any additional inconvenience.”
The focus on Domingo’s behavior started last year, when The Associated Press reported accusations of sexual misconduct. U.S. opera companies quickly distanced themselves from him, but European companies generally stuck by him.
That changed Tuesday after the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union representing U. S. opera performers, released the results of its investigation into the allegations. Domingo, the union said, had “engaged in inappropriate activity, ranging from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace.”
Its conclusion — and Domingo’s apology — appeared to signal a change in attitudes toward Domingo, even in Spain, his birthplace, where public support for him has arguably been strongest. On Wednesday, the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music canceled Domingo’s coming performances at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, citing his apology.