S.F. Opera drops singer over assault allegations
The San Francisco Opera has dropped countertenor David Daniels from its June production of Handel’s “Orlando” in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against the singer, the company announced Thursday, Nov. 8.
“The decision to part ways with Mr. Daniels, for business and professional reasons, was reached after considerable deliberation given the serious allegations of sexual assault, an ongoing police investigation and a lawsuit filed against the American opera singer,” according to a statement from the Opera.
In August, a young singer, baritone Samuel Schultz, accused Daniels and his husband, conductor Scott Walters, of having drugged and raped him in 2010. A second accusation followed in October, when Andrew Lipian, a student at the University of Michigan — where Daniels is on the voice faculty — sued both him and the school over an alleged sexual assault.
Daniels, who is on leave from the university, has denied both accusations.
“While these situations remain under investigation, San Francisco Opera is unable to present the artist on the War Memorial Opera House stage,” said the company’s statement.
Daniels’ removal is the latest in a series of consequences to befall prominent musicians who have been accused of sexual misconduct.
Most recently, the Cleveland Orchestra fired two highprofile members — longtime concertmaster William Preucil and principal trombonist Massimo La Rosa — over allegations that they had sexually harassed female colleagues and students over a period of years.
In December 2017, the San Francisco Symphony severed its longstanding ties with conductor Charles Dutoit after four women accused him of sexually assaulting them.
Daniels’ scheduled appearance in the role of Medoro would have been his sixth engagement at the Opera since making his company debut in 1998 in Monteverdi’s “L’Incoronazione di Poppea.” Since then he has appeared in four operas by Handel: “Giulio Cesare,” “Rodelinda,” “Xerxes” and most recently, in 2014, “Partenope.”
The company said it would announce a replacement for Daniels at a later date. Joshua Kosman is The San Francisco Chronicle’s music critic. Email: jkosman@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoshuaKosman